Over half of US adults diagnosed with knee osteoarthritis (OA) will eventually undergo knee replacement and an estimated 4 million adults in the US currently live with a total knee. Knee patients suffer about five years before seeing an orthopedic surgeon and as long as 10 years before undergoing surgery, although this is changing. While patients with arthritic knees are encouraged to hold off as long as possible, many demand intervention at an earlier age because there are few treatments available for alleviating their pain and limited mobility. BioMedGPS estimates the US market for total knee replacement will close in on $4.3 billion by the end of 2015.
With no proven treatment in sight for delaying the onset of OA, knee pain suffers will try a variety of over-the-counter supplements (e.g., glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate, vitamins E or...
