What is the evidence for polyunsaturated fatty acids and antioxidants in the treatment of rotator cuff pathology?
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Summary
Patient Population:
Recreational athletes (n=40) – sole study identified for inclusion. Participants experienced tendon pathology at a variety of sites including the shoulder. (12 individuals were diagnosed with supraspinatus tendinopathy, 2 with infraspinatus tendinopathy).
Intervention:
N-3 fatty acids and N-6 GLA fatty acids and antioxidants were tested 30 days after the beginning of treatment.
Comparison:
N-3 fatty acids and N-6 GLA fatty acids and antioxidants AND 16 treatments of ultrasound vs. placebo and 16 ultrasound treatments were tested in a single study.
Outcome:
Pain: mean decrease of 99% in the treatment group after 30 days vs. a mean decrease of 31% in the comparison group after 30 days.
