Title:Collagen Peptides, in Association with Vitamin C, Sodium Hyaluronate,
Manganese and Copper, as Part of the Rehabilitation Project in the Treatment
of Chronic Low Back Pain
Volume: 22
Issue: 1
Author(s): Giacomo Farì*, Dario Santagati, Giovanni Pignatelli, Venera Scacco, Domenico Renna, Giuseppe Cascarano, Francesco Vendola, Francesco Paolo Bianchi, Pietro Fiore, Maurizio Ranieri and Marisa Megna
Affiliation:
- Department of Basic Sciences, Neuroscience and Sense Organs, Aldo Moro University of Bari, Italy
Keywords:
Low back pain, osteoarthritis, rehabilitation, therapeutic exercise, McKenzie method, oral supplementation, hyaluronate sodium, collagen peptides, vitamine C.
Abstract: Background and Objective: Low back pain (LBP) is a frequent symptom. Among the
causes that can determine it, lumbar osteoarthritis plays an important role. Therapeutic exercise, according
to McKenzie method, has been shown to be effective in the treatment of LBP. Oral supplementation
with collagen peptides represents a new therapeutic possibility in osteoarthritis. The aim
of this study is to evaluate the combined efficacy of therapeutic exercise and oral administered viscosupplements
in the treatment of osteoarthritis-related chronic LBP.
Methods: Sixty patients were recruited and randomly divided into two groups (Group A and B).
Group A performed only kinesitherapy, Group B carried out the same kinesitherapy combined with
the daily administration of food supplements such as Fortigel®, Vitamin C, sodium hyaluronate,
manganese and copper, during the whole treatment period. Patients were evaluated at the time of recruitment
(T0), at the end of the treatment (T1 - 3 weeks after T0) and 6 weeks after T1 (T2). The
outcome measures used were: Visual Analogue Scale (VAS), Oswestry Disability Index (ODI),
and Short Form-12 (SF-12).
Results: All the outcomes improved significantly at T1 in both groups, but more markedly in
group B. Furthermore, in group A at T2, there was a statistically significant worsening in the
scores of VAS, ODI and physical component of the SF-12, while in group B, this variation has not
been detected.
Conclusion: The combination of rehabilitation based on McKenzie back exercises and oral viscosupplementation
with Fortigel®, Vitamin C, sodium hyaluronate, manganese and copper represents
a valid option in patients with chronic LBP, as it ensures pain relief and improvement in the
quality of life and in lumbar spine functionality. These therapeutic benefits are more evident and
long-lasting compared to those obtained with rehabilitation alone.
