A prescription-grade formulation of chondroitin sulfate (Condrosulf) helped improve pain and function in patients with osteoarthritis (OA) of the hand, according to a single-center randomized study of 162 patients who had been suffering from OA for more than six years.
MedPage Today reports, “The study was sponsored by Institut Biochimique SA, the manufacturer of the proprietary product used in the trial.”
The study found that “hand pain decreased significantly in patients receiving chondroitin sulfate” (CS) while “the effects of chondroitin seemed to be greater on function than pain.”
Researchers also noted that the results were similar to “earlier short-term trials evaluating drugs such as ibuprofen for hand OA.”
However, since chondroitin sulfate (CS) is significantly more expensive that glucosamine sulfate (GS), I usually recommend the latter first. You can read more about my recommendations for GS, CS, and SAMe in these blogs:

• My Recommendations for Glucosamine, Chondroitin, and SAMe for Osteoarthritis
• Glucosamine and chondroitin products still popular among arthritis sufferers
• Glucosamine sulfate appears to have no effect on chronic low back pain from degenerative lumbar osteoarthritis
• Walking Plus Glucosamine Sulfate May Improve Symptoms of Osteoarthritis
• Knee Arthritis Supplements (Glucosamine & Chondroitin) May Not Help – Why you should NOT believe this headline.