Clinical efficacy of Platelet-Rich Plasma versus local Methylprednisolone Injection in Lateral Epicondylitis

To compare the results of local administration of platelet-rich plasma (PRP) with methylprednisolone in the treatment of tennis elbow.

This retrospective cohort was conducted at Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Center (JPMC) during January 2017 to April 2018. Patients conservatively managed for lateral epicondylitis with local methylprednisolone injection or PRP injection were approached for possible inclusion in the study at 12 months of treatment. The primary outcome of the study was to determine the Numerical Pain Rating Score (NPRS) on resisted wrist extension. Whereas, the secondary outcomes were quick disability arm, shoulder, and hand score (qDASH), the grip strength and VAS for satisfaction. The baseline, six weeks and three month data on Grip strength, NPRS, and qDASH were extracted from the patients' medical records maintained at the hospital. The data were analyzed by using SPSS software.

A total of 91 patients were approached, of them 81 (89.01%) agreed to participate. There were 46 (56.79%) who received local methylprednisolone injection and 35 (43.20%) received PRP. At 12 months follow up, there was no difference in NPRS pain scores between the two groups (p=0.691); pain decreased in both groups at six weeks and at 12 months. There was no significant difference in the functional outcome (qDASH score) in both groups. Both groups were equally satisfied with the treatment they had received.

The study concluded that there is no difference between outcome and efficacy of both treatment modalities used for the treatment of tennis elbow in alleviating pain at 12 months.