Intra-articular administration of extra-virgin olive oil in degenerative osteoarthritis

Pamiry A, Gökmen MY, Tekin M · Journal of Orthopaedic Surgery and Research

Gross morphology favoured the oil at 10 weeks (p = 0.041) and marginally at 5 weeks (p = 0.055); MRI scores separated at both time points (p = 0.017 and p = 0.014); Mankin histology totals separated clearly (p = 0.001 short-term, p = 0.004 long-term), including chondrocyte number and matrix staining.

Population

New Zealand White rabbits after anterior cruciate ligament transection

Intervention

0.2 cc extra-virgin olive oil injected into the knee immediately after surgery, repeated at day 14 in the long-term arm

Comparator

0.2 cc sterile saline

Limitations

Injected into the joint, not eaten — so it says nothing about dietary olive oil. Rabbits, 32 animals across four subgroups, and the short-term morphology p value (0.055) is described as significant in the abstract when it does not reach the conventional threshold.