Comparative outcomes of platelet rich plasma, autologous blood and corticosteroid injections in the treatment of lateral epicondylitis

Abstract

Objectives: Lateral epicondylitis is a disorder in which the dominant extremity is usually affected, and its prevalence rangesbetween 1% and 3% in the general population. It appears to be more common and severe in women between ages 30and 60. Platelet rich plasma (PRP), autologous blood and corticosteroid injections are widely applied treatment modalitieswith various success rates. We aimed to investigate clinical outcomes of these three injection techniques. Study Design isProspective randomized clinical trial.Methods: Fifty two patients (19 men, 33 women) whom were diagnosed lateral epicondylitis between the years 2011 and2013, with a mean age 43,7years (min 18, max 62) were randomized into three groups according to application order. Eachgroup received one of the injection treatments: PRP, autologous blood or corticosteroid. Comparative clinical outcomesevaluated prospectively. Assessments performed by a blind evaluator by visual analog scale (VAS), presence of tenderness,QuickDASH scores, grip strength measurements in pre-injection period and in post-injection first, third and sixth months.Statistical analyses performed in SPSS 21 software by Pearson’s chi-squared, Anova, Kruskar Wallis and McNemar tests.Results: Changes of VAS and QuickDASH scores in each group were significant according to pre-injection and post-injectionfirst, third, sixth month evaluations (p