HOBART, Australia—Two new trials are slated to investigate the effect of vitamin D tablets or an herbal topical cream on knee pain caused by osteoarthritis (OA). Professor Graeme Jones and Associate Professor Changhai Ding, both of the Menzies Research Institute will lead two separate new OA participant-based studies to further the knowledge on natural remedies and joint health.
"The vitamin D trial is actually the first trial worldwide to see if vitamin D actually helps pain and prevents cartilage loss in the knee," said Jones, who noted in the absence of a cure for OA, Menzies is focused on improving the wellbeing of OA patients.
The is starting two new trials to discover if vitamin D tablets or a herbal cream can help manage knee pain caused by osteoarthritis. "The second trial is a combination of natural products with the main ingredient being a comfrey extract. There's been a small pilot study overseas and this is the first stage three substantial trial."
The researchers are currently in the recruitment stage and are targeting the Tasmanian over-50 population, urging them to participate and help address this serious Tasman health issue. While focused on Australia and New Zealand, this research could have implication for OA sufferers worldwide.
