[No effect of supplement of essential fatty acids on lateral epicondylitis].
BACKGROUND
Essential fatty acids influence the production of prostaglandins, which is suggested to be of importance for the development of chronic degenerative changes in tendons. Clinical studies indicate that treatment with essential fatty acids, vitamins and minerals may be effective against tendon diseases. This randomised trial was performed to evaluate the effect of an essential fatty acid supplement on pain in lateral epicondylitis.


METHODS
55 patients with unilateral epicondylitis were treated with eccentric training of the wrist extensor muscles for 6 months. 50% of the patients were randomised to 8 weeks of peroral supplement with essential fatty acids, 50% to placebo supplement.


RESULTS
Reported pain declined throughout the study period, with a mean pain level reported on a 10 cm visual analogue scale of 4.9 cm (95% CI 4.3-5.1 cm) at inclusion and 0.95 cm (95% CI 0.5-1.1 cm) at 6 months. Maximal grip force of afflicted arm increased about 23%. No differences in pain reduction or force increase were found between the supplement and the placebo groups.


CONCLUSIONS
Reported pain was reduced and force increased gradually over 6 months with eccentric training. No additional effect was observed with a fatty acid supplement.
Røe
Cecilie
C
Norsk idrettsmedisinsk institutt (NIMI), Sognsveien 75D, 0855 Oslo. cecilie.roe@ulleval.no
Ødegaard
Thomas T
TT
Hilde
Frode
F
Maehlum
Sverre
S
Halvorsen
Terje
T
D000284:Administration, Oral; D000328:Adult; D005228:Fatty Acids, Essential / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D015525:Fatty Acids, Omega-3 / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D005260:Female; D018737:Hand Strength; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008903:Minerals / Q000008:administration & dosage; D010146:Pain / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology; D010147:Pain Measurement; D013607:Tablets; D013716:Tennis Elbow / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy*; D014815:Vitamins / Q000008:administration & dosage
D005228:Fatty Acids, Essential; D015525:Fatty Acids, Omega-3; D008903:Minerals; D013607:Tablets; D014815:Vitamins