Anyone tried glucosamine chondroitin for back/disc pain?

My wife, a physician, is skeptical it will help, but I tried glucosamine chondroitin way back and it seemed to help my back pain. She had a slipped disc that appears to be reabsorbing a bit, but some arthritis in other discs. Anyone tried glucosamine chondroitin for back/disc pain? Did you notice any effect?