Introduction: Lateral epicondylitis (Tennis elbow) is myotendinosis occurring at common extensor origin due to repetitive overuse of extensor muscles of the wrist. New treatment options include PRP and autologous blood injection. This study is designed to compare these two novel methods of treatment of lateral epicondylitis.
Aim- The aim of this study is to compare the functional outcome and pain in patients with tennis elbow treated with autologous blood injection and platelet rich plasma injection.
Materials &Methods- Patients with clinical signs and symptoms of chronic lateral epicondylitis during June 2016 to October 2017 attending the Orthopaedics out patient department of RMMCH, Chidambaram were evaluated. Prospective comparative study was done with Platelet rich plasma injection and autologous blood injection for tennis elbow patients and were followed up for one year.
Results- 50 patients with Tennis elbow were randomized into two groups and were treated with platelet rich plasma injection or autologous blood injection. They were followed up for one year with PRTEE (Patient rated tennis elbow evaluation scoring) and manual algometer. In Both groups they had improvement in symptoms and significant improvement was noted in PRP population than autologous blood group with peak effect at six month of follow up.
Conclusion- PRP and autologous whole blood injections are both effective to treat chronic lateral epicondylitis. PRP is superior at six months of follow up. After which the beneficial effects seems to have started diminishing. The patients treated with PRP has shown better pain relief and improved function .Surely PRP will change the way orthopaedicians are treating tendinopathies in the future However, further studies with longer follow up and with repeat injections are suggested to get definite conclusion.
