I wanted to get some input and opionions from the Trifuel community on this subject, so please offer anything you have read or heard on this matter...

I started taking Glucosamine and Chondroitin a few years ago because I had a minor ligament tear in my knee that had healed, but would cause disconfort. I was playing alot of high level basketball, along with running decent milage. Too much stress no doubt. Surgery was out of the question for the time being. But I noticed results--tingling sensations in my knee dissipated, and it seemed to help me recover quicker....but have to this day remained a little concerned about the side affects long term...however, I have never been able to confirm whether there are any. My brother in law is an orthopedic surgeon, and while he didn't say he would recommend Glucosamine (nor knew of any harmful data or studies), he knew folks who had seen good results and ortho doc's didn't dissuade people from using it...

Anyway, any thoughts would be helpful...

I've been thinking about starting to take Glucosmine, a good friend of mine and long time swim coach has been talking to me about it's effects and how it could help. He has been taking it for many years, bum knee from breaststroke and he has not felt any side effects. As for me, I've have tendonitis in both shoulders since I was 16 years old, many painful years of rehab but no surgery. Now 12 or so years later, my shoulders are a lot stronger, I took a cortison shot in one shoulder a couple years ago, would of had both shoulders done but I passed out after the first one. Today the shoulder without the cortison shot is much stronger than the shoulder that took the shot. Thats why I've been weary about anything people say is a quick fix!!! One thing that I've heard about Glucosmine is that it's all natural, not sure about that either. Either way, still thinking about.

damn your brother in law is an orthopedic surgeon, and he would'nt do the surgery pro bono !! sheesh !
anyway i take MSM i hope i dont grow a third arm or another finger.

thanks for the note, ibgenaro. interesting information on the cortisol shot.. btw, i notice you're in SD, are you doing the Spring Sprint on May 1st in Mission Bay? good luck this season!

yeah, you would think i could get a deal out of the bro, huh? maybe i need to ask again but say 'please' this time :-)