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 with one death in each arm, and the short-term morphology p value (0.055) is described as significant in the abstract when it does not reach the conventional threshold. The methods say the MRI was performed on the right knees while the ligament was cut on the left, and the figure says left; the long-term MRI p value is 0.014 in the text and 0.041 in the table. No external funding.