Study to establish the effectiveness of Devil’s Claw as a treatment for osteoarthritis of the knee joint

The University of Southampton’s Complementary Medicine Research Unit is looking for volunteers to take part in a new study which aims to establish the effectiveness of a well-known herbal remedy as a treatment for osteoarthritis of the knee joint.

Devil’s Claw, derived from the roots of a South African plant, is available over the counter in health food shops. This study will assess how effective the treatment is and identify the best dose to take.

Volunteers would need to attend the Wellcome Trust Research Facility at Southampton General Hospital on eight occasions and have a clinical examination, blood tests and an X-ray of their knee. To take part all volunteers should:

• have been previously diagnosed with osteoarthritis of at least one knee joint by either their GP or consultant but not on a waiting list for a knee replacement joint
• have had knee pain for more than three months and must have had knee pain each day during the past four weeks
• be aged over 40.

For more information please contact Trish Boyle on 023 8024 1089/ 07739 249076 or email [email protected].