Can glucosamine repair cartilage after an accident?

Question:
From my understanding glucosamine and chondroitin are effective with the recovery of worn cartilage, but not when the cartilage is damaged due to an injury. Is that true?

I ask, because I still have quite some pain after a shattered tibia plateau. So the pieces of cartilage got quite a blow and it’s not unlikely that I’ll be suffering from it at a later age. Could you tell me if these supplements help in my case?

Answer:
So called secondary osteoarthritis may occur years after an accident. The damage to the joint during the accident results in a sped up ‘wear’. As you have already indicated, the chances are great that a damaged tibial plateau will lead to this type of osteoarthritis.

For secondary osteoarthritis, glucosamine and chondroitin are quite effective. The longer it took since the accident before the osteoarthritis was felt, the greater the chance of success with these supplements.

It’s indeed unlikely that greater structural damage that occurred right after the accident is treatable with glucosamine and chondroitin.