Can Curry Cure Knee Arthritis?

It sounds like a plot for a silly Bollywood movie, but published data actually supports the idea that one of the key components of curry powder can help alleviate pain for patients with knee arthritis.

Curcumin, a bright yellow spice found in curry powder, recently was found to have the same efficacy as ibuprofen (the active ingredient in Motrin and Advil) for patients with knee arthritis.  In a recently published study of 367 knee arthritis patients, researchers found 1500 mg of Curcuma domestica extract had the same effectiveness in terms of pain reduction as 1200 mg of ibuprofen at four weeks (Kuptnirataikul et al). Importantly, the curcumin treated patients had less episodes of abdominal pain or discomfort compared to the ibuprofen patients.  Importantly, another published study of of the same dosage of curcumin (1500 mg) was found to have significant improvements in terms of pain and physical function when compared to placebo at six weeks (Panahi et al).   Curcumin has been noted to block several substances involved in the inflammatory pathway and also inhibits activation of free radicals.  This could help explain why the spice works to reduce pain in arthritis patients.  

So next time your knee starts to hurt, put down the ibuprofen and hobble over to your favorite Indian or Thai restaurant for a tasty curry meal.  It may just help your knees feel better.

On a more serious note, the published data supports trying a curcumin supplement 1500 mg per day divided in three doses for 4-6 weeks for patients with knee arthritis.  (See chart below)

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Pain Reduction in Patients with Knee ArthritisKuptnirataikul et al

Steroid Shots NOT helpful for Tennis Elbow

For years now, physicians of all types have recommended steroid injections for tennis elbow.  There has been some debate about the value of these injections.  It is time to declare there is no significant value and they may actually be harmful.  A new study published today by the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) evaluated 165 patients in a prospective, randomized fashion.  In this study, patients were given a corticosteroid injection or a placebo injection.  Physical therapy was also added.  Reuters Health ran a story about the study today.  Here are some excerpts:  

(Reuters Health) - "Getting a cortisone injection won't cure tennis elbow any better than a drug-free saline shot, according to a new study - and it might actually slow recovery."

"Among those who'd received a cortisone shot, 83 percent reported they had completely recovered from tennis elbow by one year. That compared to 96 percent of those who'd received a placebo injection, according to findings published Tuesday in the Journal of the American Medical Association."

"This evidence does not support the clinical practice of using corticosteroid injection to facilitate active rehabilitation," the study team wrote."

Read the full article by Genevra Pittman from Reuters.  

It is clear form published peer reviewed data that cortisone injections have little or no value in the treatment of tennis elbow.  Data suggests a platelet rich plasma injection is significantly better option than cortisone.   Or, try a simple stretching and strengthening program.  Always also consult with a physician also to make sure you have a proper diagnosis.

Simple Tennis Elbow Stretches

Simple Tennis Elbow Strengthening Exercises

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