A randomized study of autologous conditioned plasma and steroid injections in the treatment of lateral epicondylitis

Abstract

Purpose Chronic tendinopathy of lateral epicondyle of the humerus, commonly known as Btennis elbow^is one of the most frequent tendinopathies caused by recurrent overload of the muscle origins. The aim of the study was to assess the effectiveness of treating lateral epicondylitis (LE) with autologous conditioned plasma (ACP) and betamethasone injections, and to compare these methods over the course of a one year follow-up. Methods Patients were randomly placed into one of into two groups: 53 were treated with ACP, and 46 with 1 ml betamethasone injections and 2 ml of 1 % lignocaine. Both those groups were comparable in terms of initial DASH score. Results After six weeks and six months, the mean DASH score was significantly better in the betamethasone group, but was better in ACP group after one year. Full recovery (patients with no symptoms) at all time points was more common in the betamethasone group. A comparison of grouped DASH scores revealed more very good and good results in the ACP group after one year. More patients had pain symptoms related to injection in the ACP group than the betamethasone group. Conclusions ACP therapy of LE allows better results to be obtained at 12 months. Betamethasone injections give more rapid improvement, but the therapeutic effect is longer lasting in the ACP group.

Platelet‐Rich Plasma Vs Autologous Blood Vs Corticosteroid Injections in the Treatment of Lateral Epicondylitis: A Systematic Review, Pairwise and Network Meta‐Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials

“…At this stage, 87 studies that did not meet the inclusion criteria were excluded. Twenty eligible RCTs were included in our network meta‐analysis (Figure ). In 13 PRP trials, the PRP preparation contained a high concentration of leukocytes in three trials and was relatively pure with deleted leukocytes in 10 trials .…”

“…Twenty eligible RCTs were included in our network meta‐analysis (Figure ). In 13 PRP trials, the PRP preparation contained a high concentration of leukocytes in three trials and was relatively pure with deleted leukocytes in 10 trials . Most studies measured outcomes at more than 2 months; only five studies measured outcomes at 3 weeks to 2 months.…”

“…In 13 PRP trials, the PRP preparation contained a high concentration of leukocytes in three trials and was relatively pure with deleted leukocytes in 10 trials . Most studies measured outcomes at more than 2 months; only five studies measured outcomes at 3 weeks to 2 months. The sample size of each treatment group in the trial, average age, and symptom duration varied from 9 to 80, 35.3 to 54 year, and <1 to 35.6 month, respectively.…”

Efficacy of platelet-rich plasma injections for symptomatic tendinopathy: systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised injection-controlled trials

“…[13][14][15][16][17][18][19][20][21][22][23][24][25][26][27][28] The most common reasons for exclusion were review paper (53), non-tendinopathy (14), injection of active control (7; eg, whole blood, PRP) and non-randomised study (7). Several manuscripts were excluded from this review because they were superseded by papers from the same study with longer follow-up including de Vos et al 29 30 and Peerbooms et al 31 A flow diagram of study identification and selection is shown in figure 1.…”

Autologous Conditioned Plasma Versus Placebo Injection Therapy in Lateral Epicondylitis of the Elbow: A Double Blind, Randomized Study

“…Lateral epicondylitis (tennis elbow) is among the most frequent tendinopathies [1], as well as the most commonly diagnosed condition of the elbow [2]. It is prevalent as both a work-related disorder in strenuous jobs [3], and as a frequent overstrain injury in sports [4].…”