Q: I am 26 years old. I weigh 50 kg and I am 165 cm tall. I had an accident 7 months back, which resulted in multiple fractures in one leg and one hand. I had surgery for both and a plate was implanted in the leg while wire in the hand. The fractures were below the knee joint (touching a very small portion of the knee joint). I am able to walk but a clicking sound comes from the knee joint. The latest x-ray shows a small reduction in the gap between upper and lower bones at the joint. This gap reduction is on the right side of the joint. There is a little pain at that point as well when I lift the leg straight while lying on my back. What is the cause of these symptoms? What is the solution? Will the problem increase in future? What precautions should I take?

A:Injuries can accelerate the degenerative process in the joints. There is no proven drug to check this. However, it is possible that use of glucosamine, chondroitin and MSM combination may help retard the rate of deterioration.