Efficacy of methylsulfonylmethane (MSM) in osteoarthritis pain of the knee: a pilot clinical trial

Kim LS, Axelrod LJ, Howard P, et al. · Osteoarthritis and Cartilage

MSM reduced WOMAC pain (-14.6 vs -7.2 points, p=0.041) and improved physical function versus placebo; stiffness and aggregated total symptoms did not differ significantly.

Population

Adults 40-76 with knee osteoarthritis, USA

Intervention

MSM 3 g twice daily (6 g/day) for 12 weeks

Comparator

Placebo

Limitations

Pilot-scale n=50; 12 weeks only; the authors themselves cautioned the effect size is modest and clinical significance unclear.