Fatty acid cream for mobility

A cream composed of cetylated fatty acids (CFA) can improve quality of life and mobility in patients with osteoarthritis, claims a study conducted in the US by Connecticut university together with bioceutical company Imagenetix.

According to the researchers, findings indicate that people who suffer with arthritis pain, and who live with mobility restrictions, could benefit from a topical treatment with no reported side effects.

"Osteoarthritis typically is treated using nonsteroidal, anti-inflammatory drugs. These findings show that a topical cream using CFA can be a viable alternative,"​ said Dr. William Kraemer, one of the leading researchers of the studay at Connecticut university and who will present the results of the study at the American College of Sports Medicine on 31 May.

"We are excited by the benefit provided by our topical cream in this unique research design conducted at the University of Connecticut,"​ said Robert Hesslink, Imagenetix director of research and development and a co-author of the study. "Our findings indicate that persons who suffer with arthritis pain, and who live with tremendous mobility restrictions, can benefit dramatically from a topical treatment with no reported side effects."​

The study involved 42 patients with osteoarthritis of the knee who received either a topical treatment with a proprietary complex of cetylated fatty acids or a placebo. The patients were evaluated at baseline, then 30 minutes after their initial treatment with the topical cream, and following a 30-day treatment period in which the cream was applied twice each day.

Patients were assessed for physical function, postural sway, pain and range of motion. Tests of physical function included an assessment for timed up-and-go from a chair, timed stair climbing, medial step-down test to assess muscle strength and endurance, and single-leg anterior reach. For all of these measures, the difference between the CFA group and the placebo group was significant, write the scientists.