Peppering versus Single Injection Technique in Tennis Elbow - A Prospective Comparative Study

Area of Science:

• Orthopedics
• Sports Medicine
• Pain Management

Background:

• Lateral epicondylitis, commonly known as tennis elbow, is a prevalent condition causing significant pain and functional limitation.
• Various treatment modalities exist, but effective management of chronic cases remains a challenge.

Purpose of the Study:

• To compare the efficacy of a steroid and lignocaine mixture administered via a single injection versus a peppered injection technique for lateral epicondylitis.
• To analyze treatment outcomes based on patient-reported pain and functional scores.

Main Methods:

• A prospective randomized study involving 50 patients (25 per group) with lateral epicondylitis.
• Outcomes were assessed using the Patient-Related Tennis Elbow Evaluation (PRTEE) questionnaire, Visual Analogue Score (VAS), and tenderness grading at 2 weeks, 6 weeks, and 6 months post-injection.

Main Results:

• The peppered injection group demonstrated significantly lower mean PRTEE scores at 6 weeks and 6 months compared to the single injection group (p < 0.05).
• VAS scores were significantly reduced at 6 months in the peppered injection group (p < 0.05).
• The peppered injection technique showed a trend towards better outcomes in PRTEE and VAS scores at earlier time points as well.

Conclusions:

• The peppered injection technique is advantageous over the single injection technique for managing chronic lateral epicondylitis.
• This technique may offer more sustained pain relief and functional improvement for patients with tennis elbow.