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Education · general-health

Nutritional Supplements for Musculoskeletal Health Info Evidence

Reviewed by Dr Kieran Hirpara, Specialist Orthopaedic Surgeon Last reviewed

What it is

Nutritional supplements are specific vitamins, minerals, and proteins that support your body’s healing process. Think of them as extra building blocks for your bones, muscles, and joints. While a balanced diet is the foundation, targeted supplements can provide focused support when your body needs it most.

These supplements are often used by older adults who may find exercise difficult. They are also common for patients with wear-and-tear arthritis (osteoarthritis). Ingredients like glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate are frequently used to help manage joint pain. For those recovering from surgery, such as joint replacement or ligament repair, protein and amino acids help rebuild muscle. Some patients also use collagen and hyaluronic acid to support tissue repair after injuries like meniscus tears.

Your doctor may recommend these tools to help you recover faster. Proper nutrition can reduce the risk of complications and lower hospital costs. It helps protect your muscles from wasting away after surgery. It may also ease pain and improve how well your joints move. However, the long-term effects and exact dosages are still being studied. We view these supplements as part of a broader plan that includes physical therapy and medical care, rather than a standalone cure.

Does it work?

The evidence on nutritional supplements is mixed. Some options show clear benefits for specific groups, while others have limited proof. Your doctor can help you decide if a supplement fits your situation.

For older adults, especially those recovering from hip fractures, balanced nutrition and protein supplements can lower complication rates. Vitamin D and leucine-enriched whey protein may help if you cannot exercise. These are low-risk steps that may improve recovery outcomes.

Protein and amino acid supplements also support muscle strength after joint replacement or fracture surgery. This may reduce the risk of falls later on. Adding targeted nutrition to your pre-surgery routine can help you regain function faster.

For osteoarthritis, glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate are safe options that may relieve pain and stiffness. Omega-3 fatty acids can also improve joint function. However, long-term effects are not fully proven, so these are not guaranteed fixes.

After knee ligament surgery, collagen and hyaluronic acid supplements may speed up your return to activity. They might also reduce your need for pain medication. An eight-week collagen supplement can help with meniscus injuries.

Be cautious with creatine. It does not benefit patients during the first 12 weeks of rehabilitation after knee ligament reconstruction. Always check with us before starting any new supplement to ensure it supports your specific recovery plan.

Is it right for you?

Nutritional supplements can be a helpful part of your care plan, especially if you are older or unable to exercise. They may also support recovery after joint replacement or ligament surgery. For example, adding protein to your diet is a low-cost step that helps maintain muscle strength. This can lower the risk of falls and fractures later on. Some supplements, like those with collagen or hyaluronic acid, may help you return to activity faster after knee ligament reconstruction. They might also reduce your need for pain medication.

However, supplements are not a cure-all. There is no strong evidence to fully endorse common options like glucosamine and chondroitin for everyone. While they are generally safe and may ease knee pain, questions remain about long-term effects and the right dosage. They work best as part of a wider plan that includes physical therapy and medical advice. If you are considering them for osteoarthritis, discuss the cost with your doctor to ensure it fits your budget.

There are downsides to consider. Some patients find it hard to stick to strict nutrition plans, which can limit benefits. In spine surgery, inconsistent protocols and poor adherence are common barriers. While supplements like amino acids are low-risk and may reduce hospital complications, they do not replace professional medical care. Your doctor will help you decide if the potential benefits outweigh the costs and effort for your specific situation. Always share your current supplement use with your care team to avoid interactions.

The bottom line

Nutritional supplements like protein, glucosamine, and chondroitin can support your recovery and manage joint pain with a strong safety profile. You may see reduced pain, faster return to activity, and fewer complications when used alongside physical therapy. However, evidence for long-term benefits remains mixed, and results vary by individual. We recommend discussing specific supplements with your doctor to ensure they fit your unique care plan and do not interfere with other treatments.

Reviewed by Kieran Hirpara · 12 June 2026.

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Talk to your treating clinician for advice specific to you.

Evidence & references

Overview

  • Specific nutritional supplementation alone may benefit geriatric patients, particularly those unable to exercise [1].
  • Intravenous protein or amino acid supplementation offers benefits for patients undergoing total joint arthroplasty, although effects on muscle strength and function are mixed [2].
  • Glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate have an excellent safety profile [3].
  • Glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate may serve as an initial treatment modality for many osteoarthritis patients [3].
  • Adjuvant oral supplementation containing collagen, hyaluronic acid, chondroitin sulfate, and plasma proteins may increase the efficacy of physical therapy after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction by shortening the time needed to return to pre-injury activity and reducing analgesic consumption [4].
  • Evidence supports the efficacy of glucosamine sulfate in reducing pain, improving function, and possibly regulating joint damage in knee osteoarthritis [5].
  • Glucosamine sulfate has potential to relieve pain and improve function with low side effects, but unanswered questions regarding long-term effects and dosage preclude a definitive endorsement [6].
  • The lack of substantial evidence currently prevents a ringing endorsement of glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate agents [6].
  • Nutritional supplementation markedly reduces hospital costs by reducing rates of ICU admissions, hospital-associated complications, and hospital-acquired infections in orthopaedic surgery [7].
  • If cost is not prohibitive, glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate products may be considered reasonable treatment options as part of a multimodal approach for symptomatic primary osteoarthritis of the hand [8].
  • Supplementation of n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids is effective to relieve pain and improve joint function in patients with osteoarthritis [9].
  • Conditionally essential amino acid supplementation has a protective effect against common complications and early skeletal muscle wasting after operative fixation of extremity and pelvic fractures [10].
  • Perioperative nutritional optimization is associated with improved outcomes for patients undergoing spine surgery [23].
  • Additional investigation is needed to determine effective perioperative nutritional protocols for spine surgery [23].
  • Substantial barriers to nutritional optimization in spine surgery include inconsistent protocols and patient nonadherence, highlighting the need for multifactorial assessment and standardization of multidisciplinary nutritional protocols [17].

How It Works

  • Specific nutritional supplementation alone may benefit geriatric patients, particularly those unable to exercise [1].
  • Intravenous protein or amino acid supplementation offers benefits for total joint arthroplasty, although effects on muscle strength and function are mixed [2].
  • Glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate have an excellent safety profile and may serve as an initial treatment modality for many osteoarthritis patients [3].
  • Adjuvant oral supplementation containing collagen, hyaluronic acid, chondroitin sulfate, and plasma proteins may increase the efficacy of physical therapy by shortening the time needed to return to pre-injury activity and reducing analgesic consumption after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction [4].
  • Glucosamine sulfate may have a synergic action with non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs for the treatment of knee osteoarthritis [5].
  • Evidence supports glucosamine sulfate efficacy in reducing pain, improving function, and possibly regulating joint damage in knee osteoarthritis [5].
  • Glucosamine sulfate has potential to relieve pain and improve function with low side effects, but unanswered questions regarding long-term effects and dosage preclude a definitive endorsement [6].
  • The lack of substantial evidence currently prevents a ringing endorsement of glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate agents [6].
  • Nutritional supplementation markedly reduces hospital costs by reducing rates of ICU admissions, hospital-associated complications, and hospital-acquired infections [7].
  • Glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate products may be considered reasonable treatment options as part of a multimodal approach for symptomatic primary osteoarthritis if the cost is not prohibitive [8].
  • Supplementation of n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids is effective to relieve pain and improve joint function in patients with osteoarthritis [9].
  • Conditionally essential amino acid supplementation has a protective effect against common complications and early skeletal muscle wasting after operative fixation of extremity and pelvic fractures [10].
  • Protein supplementation is a low-cost intervention that is easy to incorporate into perioperative management for total knee arthroplasty [11].
  • Protein supplementation has beneficial effects on muscle strength that could potentially reduce the risk of longer-term complications, such as falls and periprosthetic fracture, after total knee arthroplasty [11].
  • Integrating targeted nutrition into prehabilitation pathways may help reduce complications and support faster functional gains in total joint arthroplasty [12].
  • Omega-3 fatty acids protect cartilage from acute injuries by reducing the mechanical sensitivity of chondrocytes [13].
  • EPA supplementation could offer a promising strategy for preventing post-traumatic osteoarthritis progression following acute cartilage injuries [13].
  • Protein supplementation appears to have beneficial effects on mitigating muscle atrophy in the postoperative period following anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction, total hip arthroplasty, total knee arthroplasty, and surgical treatment of hip fracture [14].
  • An eight-week collagen-based supplement containing type I and type III collagen peptide and type II hydrolyzed collagen had a positive effect on pain and quality of life levels and some functional test results in patients with meniscopathy [16].

What the Evidence Shows

Osteoarthritis Management

  • Glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate have an excellent safety profile [3].
  • Glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate may serve as an initial treatment modality for many osteoarthritis patients [3].
  • Glucosamine sulfate has the potential to relieve pain and improve function with low side effects [6].
  • Unanswered questions regarding long-term effects and dosage of glucosamine sulfate preclude a definitive endorsement [6].
  • A lack of substantial evidence currently prevents a ringing endorsement of glucosamine and chondroitin agents [6].
  • If cost is not prohibitive, glucosamine and chondroitin products may be considered reasonable treatment options as part of a multimodal approach for symptomatic primary osteoarthritis [8].
  • Evidence supports the efficacy of glucosamine sulfate in reducing pain, improving function, and possibly regulating joint damage in knee osteoarthritis [5].
  • Oral chondroitin is more effective than placebo on relieving pain and improving physical function in osteoarthritis [19].
  • Glucosamine showed an effect on stiffness outcomes in osteoarthritis [19].
  • Supplementation of n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (omega-3 PUFAs) is effective to relieve pain and improve joint function in patients with osteoarthritis [9].

Perioperative and Postoperative Supplementation

  • Specific nutritional supplementation alone might benefit geriatric patients, especially those unable to exercise [1].
  • While effects on muscle strength and function are mixed, intravenous protein or amino acid supplementation offers benefits in total joint arthroplasty [2].
  • Adjuvant oral supplementation containing collagen, hyaluronic acid, chondroitin sulfate, and plasma proteins may increase the efficacy of physical therapy by shortening the time needed to return to pre-injury activity and reducing analgesic consumption after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction [4].
  • Nutritional supplementation markedly reduces hospital costs by reducing rates of ICU admissions, hospital-associated complications, and hospital-acquired infections [7].
  • Conditionally essential amino acid (CEAA) supplementation has a protective effect against common complications and early skeletal muscle wasting after operative fixation of extremity and pelvic fractures [10].
  • Protein supplementation is a low-cost intervention that is easy to incorporate into perioperative management for total knee arthroplasty [11].
  • Beneficial effects of protein supplementation on muscle strength could potentially reduce the risk of longer-term complications, such as falls and periprosthetic fracture, after total knee arthroplasty [11].
  • Integrating targeted nutrition into prehabilitation pathways may help reduce complications and support faster functional gains in total joint arthroplasty [12].
  • Protein supplementation appears to have beneficial effects on mitigating muscle atrophy in the postoperative period following ACL reconstruction, total hip arthroplasty, total knee arthroplasty, and surgical treatment of hip fracture [14].
  • Oral nutritional supplementation and dietetic assistance represent low-risk interventions that may improve morbidity and mortality in hip fracture aftercare for older people [15].
  • A comprehensive balanced nutrition supplement resulted in lower complication rates and mortality at 120 days postoperatively for hip fracture patients [20].

Specific Supplement Efficacy and Limitations

  • An eight-week collagen-based supplement had a positive effect on pain and quality of life levels and some functional test results in patients with meniscopathy [16].
  • Patients do not benefit from creatine supplementation during the first 12 weeks of rehabilitation after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction [21].

Practical Considerations

  • Specific nutritional supplementation alone may benefit geriatric patients, particularly those unable to exercise [1].
  • Intravenous protein or amino acid supplementation offers benefits for total joint arthroplasty, although effects on muscle strength and function are mixed [2].
  • Glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate have an excellent safety profile [3].
  • Glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate may serve as an initial treatment modality for many osteoarthritis patients [3].
  • Adjuvant oral supplementation containing collagen, hyaluronic acid, chondroitin sulfate, and plasma proteins may increase the efficacy of physical therapy after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction by shortening the time to return to pre-injury activity [4].
  • Adjuvant oral supplementation containing collagen, hyaluronic acid, chondroitin sulfate, and plasma proteins may reduce analgesic consumption after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction [4].
  • Evidence supports the efficacy of glucosamine sulfate in reducing pain and improving function in knee osteoarthritis [5].
  • Glucosamine sulfate may possibly regulate joint damage in knee osteoarthritis [5].
  • Glucosamine sulfate has potential to relieve pain and improve function with low side effects in osteoarthritis [6].
  • Unanswered questions regarding long-term effects and dosage of glucosamine sulfate preclude a definitive endorsement [6].
  • Lack of substantial evidence currently prevents a ringing endorsement of glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate agents [6].
  • Nutritional supplementation markedly reduces hospital costs by reducing rates of ICU admissions, hospital-associated complications, and hospital-acquired infections [7].
  • If cost is not prohibitive, glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate may be considered reasonable treatment options as part of a multimodal approach for symptomatic primary osteoarthritis of the hand [8].
  • Protein supplementation is a low-cost intervention that is easy to incorporate into perioperative management for total knee arthroplasty [11].
  • Protein supplementation after total knee arthroplasty has beneficial effects on muscle strength [11].
  • Beneficial effects of protein supplementation on muscle strength after total knee arthroplasty could potentially reduce the risk of longer-term complications such as falls and periprosthetic fracture [11].
  • Integrating targeted nutrition into prehabilitation pathways may help reduce complications and support faster functional gains in total joint arthroplasty [12].
  • EPA supplementation could offer a promising strategy for preventing post-traumatic osteoarthritis progression following acute cartilage injuries [13].
  • Oral nutritional supplementation and dietetic assistance represent low-risk interventions that may improve morbidity and mortality in older people after hip fracture [15].
  • Substantial barriers to nutritional optimization in spine surgery include inconsistent protocols and patient nonadherence [17].
  • Standardization of multidisciplinary nutritional protocols is needed in spine surgery [17].
  • Use of low-cost commercially available amino acid supplementation resulted in fewer overall complications postoperatively [18].
  • Amino acid supplementation is a low-risk intervention for the patient population studied [18].

Key Evidence

  • [L1] This study shows proof-of-principle that specific nutritional supplementation alone might benefit geriatric patients, especially relevant for those who are unable to exercise. [1] (10.1016/j.jamda.2015.05.021)
  • [L1] While effects on muscle strength and function are mixed, intravenous supplementation offers benefits. [2] (10.1186/s13018-025-05847-4)
  • [L2] The excellent safety profile of these supplements should be discussed with patients, and they may serve a role as an initial treatment modality for many OA patients. [3] (10.1016/j.arthro.2008.07.020)
  • [L1] Adjuvant oral supplementation may increase the efficacy of physical therapy by shortening the time needed to return to pre-injury activity and the analgesic consumption. [4] (10.1177/2325967118s00040)
  • [L4] The evidence supports efficacy in reducing pain, improving function, and possibly regulating joint damage. [5] (10.1186/s12891-022-06046-6)
  • [L5] The authors conclude that while glucosamine sulfate has potential to relieve pain and improve function with low side effects, unanswered questions regarding long-term effects and dosage preclude a definitive endorsement, and the lack of substantial evidence currently prevents a ringing endorsement of these agents. [6] (10.5435/00124635-200109000-00009)
  • [L4] Nutritional supplementation has been shown to markedly reduce hospital costs by reducing rates of ICU admissions, hospital-associated complications, and hospital-acquired infections. [7] (10.5435/jaaos-d-23-00300)
  • [L4] If the cost is not prohibitive, these products may be considered reasonable treatment options as part of a multimodal approach for symptomatic primary osteoarthritis. [8] (10.1016/j.jhsa.2013.05.017)
  • [L1] Supplementation of n-3 PUFAs is effective to relieve pain and improve joint function in patients with OA. [9] (10.1186/s13018-023-03855-w)
  • [L1] CEAA supplementation has a protective effect against common complications and early skeletal muscle wasting after operative fixation of extremity and pelvic fractures. [10] (10.2106/jbjs.21.01014)
  • [L5] Protein supplementation is a low-cost intervention that is easy to incorporate into perioperative management, and the beneficial effects on muscle strength could potentially reduce the risk of longer-term complications, such as falls and periprosthetic fracture. [11] (10.2106/jbjs.22.01357)
  • [L4] Integrating targeted nutrition into prehabilitation pathways may help reduce complications and support faster functional gains. [12] (10.1016/j.arth.2026.03.088)
  • [L5] The findings suggest that EPA supplementation could offer a promising strategy for preventing PTOA progression following acute cartilage injuries. [13] (10.1186/s13018-024-05081-4)
  • [L1] Protein supplementation appears to have beneficial effects on mitigating muscle atrophy in the postoperative period following ACLR, THA, TKA, and surgical treatment of hip fracture. [14] (10.1177/2325967123s00326)
  • [L1] However, oral nutritional supplementation and dietetic assistance represent low-risk interventions that may improve morbidity and mortality. [15] (10.1097/corr.0000000000000658)
  • [L1] The results of the study showed that the eight-week collagen-based supplement had a positive effect on pain and quality of life levels and some functional test results in patients with meniscopathy. [16] (10.1186/s12891-024-08244-w)
  • [L4] Despite these benefits, substantial barriers like inconsistent protocols and patient nonadherence remain, highlighting the need for multifactorial assessment and standardization of multidisciplinary nutritional protocols. [17] (10.5435/jaaos-d-25-00757)
  • [L5] The use of the low-cost commercially available amino acid supplement resulted in fewer overall complications postoperatively and was a low-risk intervention for their patient population. [18] (10.2106/jbjs.22.00078)
  • [L1] Oral chondroitin is more effective than placebo on relieving pain and improving physical function, while glucosamine showed effect on stiffness outcome. [19] (10.1186/s13018-018-0871-5)
  • [L1] The comprehensive balanced nutrition supplement resulted in lower complication rates and mortality at 120 days postoperatively. [20] (10.1097/01.blo.0000224054.86625.06)
  • [L1] The results demonstrate that patients do not benefit from creatine supplementation during the first 12 weeks of rehabilitation after ACL reconstruction. [21] (10.1177/0363546503261731)
  • [L4] Perioperative nutritional optimization has been associated with improved outcomes for patients undergoing spine surgery, but additional investigation is needed to determine effective perioperative nutritional protocols. [23] (10.5435/jaaos-d-24-01101)

References

[1] Effects of a Vitamin D and Leucine-Enriched Whey Protein Nutritional Supplement on Measures of Sarcopenia in Older Adults, the PROVIDE Study: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Trial. Journal of the American Medical Directors Association. 2015. DOI: 10.1016/j.jamda.2015.05.021 [2] Peri-operative protein or amino acid supplementation for total joint arthroplasty: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Journal of Orthopaedic Surgery and Research. 2025. DOI: 10.1186/s13018-025-05847-4 [3] A Review of Evidence‐Based Medicine for Glucosamine and Chondroitin Sulfate Use in Knee Osteoarthritis. Arthroscopy. 2008. DOI: 10.1016/j.arthro.2008.07.020 [4] Efficacy and Tolerability of a Dietary Supplement Containing Collagen, Hyaluronic Acid, Chondroitin Sulfate and Plasma Proteins in the Recovery After Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction. Orthopaedic Journal of Sports Medicine. 2018. DOI: 10.1177/2325967118s00040 [5] Possible synergic action of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and glucosamine sulfate for the treatment of knee osteoarthritis: a scoping review. BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders. 2022. DOI: 10.1186/s12891-022-06046-6 [6] Use of Glucosamine and Chondroitin Sulfate in the Management of Osteoarthritis. Journal of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. 2001. DOI: 10.5435/00124635-200109000-00009 [7] The Role of Amino Acid Supplementation in Orthopaedic Surgery. Journal of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. 2023. DOI: 10.5435/jaaos-d-23-00300 [8] Glucosamine and Chondroitin Sulfate Treatment of Hand Osteoarthritis. The Journal of Hand Surgery. 2013. DOI: 10.1016/j.jhsa.2013.05.017 [9] Effect of omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids supplementation for patients with osteoarthritis: a meta-analysis. Journal of Orthopaedic Surgery and Research. 2023. DOI: 10.1186/s13018-023-03855-w [10] Conditionally Essential Amino Acid Supplementation Reduces Postoperative Complications and Muscle Wasting After Fracture Fixation. Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery. 2022. DOI: 10.2106/jbjs.21.01014 [11] Nutritional Optimization with Amino Acid Supplementation Aids Recovery After Total Knee Arthroplasty. Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery. 2023. DOI: 10.2106/jbjs.22.01357 [12] Perioperative Nutritional Optimization in Total Joint Arthroplasty: From Screening to Supplementation. The Journal of Arthroplasty. 2026. DOI: 10.1016/j.arth.2026.03.088 [13] Omega-3 fatty acids protect cartilage from acute injurie by reducing the mechanical sensitivity of chondrocytes. Journal of Orthopaedic Surgery and Research. 2024. DOI: 10.1186/s13018-024-05081-4 [14] Poster 363: Post-Operative Protein Supplementation following Orthopaedic Surgery: A Systematic Review. Orthopaedic Journal of Sports Medicine. 2023. DOI: 10.1177/2325967123s00326 [15] Cochrane in CORR®: Nutritional Supplementation for Hip Fracture Aftercare in Older People. Clinical Orthopaedics & Related Research. 2019. DOI: 10.1097/corr.0000000000000658 [16] The effect of supplementation with type I and type III collagen peptide and type II hydrolyzed collagen on pain, quality of life and physical function in patients with meniscopathy: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study. BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders. 2025. DOI: 10.1186/s12891-024-08244-w [17] Nutritional Optimization in Spine Surgery: A Review of Its Implications for Postoperative Recovery and Outcomes. Journal of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. 2026. DOI: 10.5435/jaaos-d-25-00757 [18] Essential Amino Acid Supplementation: Feed the Injured Patient. Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery. 2022. DOI: 10.2106/jbjs.22.00078 [19] Effectiveness and safety of glucosamine and chondroitin for the treatment of osteoarthritis: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Journal of Orthopaedic Surgery and Research. 2018. DOI: 10.1186/s13018-018-0871-5 [20] Nutritional Supplementation Decreases Hip Fracture-related Complications. Clinical Orthopaedics and Related Research. 2006. DOI: 10.1097/01.blo.0000224054.86625.06 [21] The Effect of Creatine Supplementation on Strength Recovery after Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) Reconstruction. The American Journal of Sports Medicine. 2004. DOI: 10.1177/0363546503261731 [23] Perioperative Nutritional Optimization in Spine Surgery. Journal of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. 2025. DOI: 10.5435/jaaos-d-24-01101

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