Does methylsulfonylmethane (MSM) reduce pain and improve physical function in individuals with knee osteoarthritis?
methylsulfonylmethane (MSM), a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial (Osteoarthritis Cartilage 2006, PMID 16309928) — MSM (6g/day) improved symptoms of pain and physical function during the 12-week intervention without major adverse events. No significant changes were observed in WOMAC stiffness or aggregated total symptoms scores.
Source: Osteoarthritis Cartilage 2006, PMID 16309928 ↗ · Research map · How Magellan grades evidence · evidence confidence: high
Osteoarthritis Cartilage · 2006 · PMID 16309928 · DOI 10.1016/j.joca.2005.10.003
MSM may help reduce pain and improve physical function in people with knee osteoarthritis over a short period.
The question
Does methylsulfonylmethane (MSM) reduce pain and improve physical function in individuals with knee osteoarthritis?
What they tested
The study implicitly hypothesizes that MSM will be beneficial for arthritis symptoms, specifically pain and physical function in knee osteoarthritis.
How they did it
This was a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled pilot clinical trial. Fifty men and women aged 40-76 with knee osteoarthritis pain were randomized to receive either 3g of MSM twice daily (6g/day total) or a placebo for 12 weeks. Outcomes measured included the WOMAC visual analogue scale (pain, stiffness, physical function, total symptoms), patient and physician global assessments, and SF-36 for quality of life.
What they found
Compared to placebo, MSM significantly decreased WOMAC pain and physical function impairment. No significant changes were observed in WOMAC stiffness or aggregated total symptoms scores. MSM also improved the ability to perform activities of daily living as assessed by the SF-36.
| WOMAC Pain | -1 | |
|---|---|---|
| WOMAC Physical Function | -1 |
MSM produced significant decreases in WOMAC pain and physical function impairment compared to placebo. The exact magnitude of decrease is not specified, only that it was significant (P<0.05).
What it means
MSM (6g/day) improved symptoms of pain and physical function during the 12-week intervention without major adverse events.
Limitations
The benefits and safety of MSM in managing osteoarthritis and its long-term use cannot be confirmed from this pilot trial.
The paper at a glance
| Title | Efficacy of methylsulfonylmethane (MSM) in osteoarthritis pain of the knee: a pilot clinical trial |
|---|---|
| Journal | Osteoarthritis Cartilage |
| Year | 2006 |
| PMID | 16309928 ↗ |
| DOI | 10.1016/j.joca.2005.10.003 ↗ |
| Topic | Muscle, strength & physical function |
Read the source: PubMed record (authors, abstract, full citation) ↗ · Publisher via doi.org ↗
Where Magellan uses this paper
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Glucosamine + Chondroitin (+ MSM)
The evidence for glucosamine and chondroitin in human osteoarthritis is genuinely mixed. The landmark GAIT trial found the pair no better than placebo overall but possibly helpful in the subgroup with moderate-to-severe knee pain, and the MOVES trial found the combination non-inferior to celecoxib;
MSM (Methylsulfonylmethane)
Across human studies, MSM has been evaluated mainly for osteoarthritis, exercise recovery, and seasonal allergic rhinitis. Multiple randomized, placebo-controlled trials and meta-analyses report statistically significant but generally small reductions in joint pain and improvements in physical function - alone or…
Methylsulfonylmethane (MSM), also called dimethyl sulfone or methyl sulfone, is a naturally occurring…
Glucosamine, chondroitin sulfate, and methylsulfonylmethane (MSM) are naturally occurring compounds…
Methylsulfonylmethane (MSM), also known as dimethyl sulfone or methyl sulfone, is a naturally occurring…
Research describes the compound or intervention studied. It is not a claim about any specific product.
Cite this page
These citations point at this summary. To cite the original paper with its full author list, use the PubMed record or doi.org.
Magellan Longevity. (2026). Does methylsulfonylmethane (MSM) reduce pain and improve physical function in individuals with knee osteoarthritis? [Plain-English summary of Osteoarthritis Cartilage 2006, PMID 16309928, DOI 10.1016/j.joca.2005.10.003]. Magellan Longevity. https://magellanlongevity.com/study/msm_oa.html@misc{magellan_msm_oa,
title = {Does methylsulfonylmethane (MSM) reduce pain and improve physical function in individuals with knee osteoarthritis?},
author = {{Magellan Longevity}},
year = {2026},
howpublished = {\url{https://magellanlongevity.com/study/msm_oa.html}},
note = {Plain-English summary of PubMed PMID 16309928; DOI 10.1016/j.joca.2005.10.003; Osteoarthritis Cartilage 2006. Reviewed by Gabriel Radu, DO},
urldate = {2026-08-11}
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