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Lateral epicondylitis: an internal comparison in the same patient
Steve B Behrens1, Matthew E Deren, Theodore A Blaine
1Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Division of Shoulder and Eblow Surgery, Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University, Providence, Rhode Island, USA. behrens.steve@gmail.com
Orthopedics
|April 8, 2011
Summary
Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injections failed to treat chronic lateral epicondylitis in one patient. Arthroscopic extensor carpi radialis brevis debridement provided significant pain relief in both elbows.
Area of Science:
- Orthopedic Surgery
- Regenerative Medicine
Background:
- Chronic lateral epicondylitis is a prevalent elbow condition.
- Treatment options include surgery, physical therapy, and injections.
Observation:
- A patient with bilateral refractory lateral epicondylitis received PRP injection in one elbow and arthroscopic surgery in the other.
- PRP treatment showed poor results (VAS 80/100) after 4 months.
- Arthroscopic surgery yielded significant improvement (VAS 10/100 right, 0/100 left) at 1 year.
Findings:
- Arthroscopic extensor carpi radialis brevis debridement demonstrated high efficacy (up to 95% improvement reported in studies).
- PRP injections were ineffective in this case of recalcitrant lateral epicondylitis.
- Surgical debridement proved to be a safe and effective treatment.
Implications:
- Arthroscopic extensor carpi radialis brevis debridement is a reliable surgical option for chronic lateral epicondylitis.
- The role of PRP injections requires further investigation for this condition.
