Comparison of Efficacy of Autologous Blood Injection versus Steroid Injection in Treatment of Lateral Epicondylitis:...

The objective of the study was to compare the efficacy of autologous blood (AB) injection versus local steroid injection in the treatment of lateral epicondylitis.

The current study was carried out at the department of orthopedics, Isra University Hospital, Hyderabad, Pakistan, from May 2024 to December 2024 after taking permission from the ethical board of the institute. A total of 400 patients aged 20-50 years with chronic lateral epicondylitis lasting more than 4 weeks and no prior treatment were enrolled. Using simple randomization, patients were assigned to Group A (methylprednisolone acetate 40 mg with 1 mL 2% lignocaine) or Group B (2 mL autologous venous blood from the opposite arm). Pain was assessed using the visual analogue scale (VAS) at 12 weeks. Data were analyzed with the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences version 24. Means and standard deviations were computed for quantitative variables, while Chi-square tests assessed pain relief.

Two hundred patients were included in each group. Mean age was 37.04 ± 9.27 years in Group A and 38.33 ± 8.33 years in Group B. Baseline VAS scores showed no significant difference between groups. Post-treatment VAS scores were significantly lower in the AB group compared to the steroid group (P < 0.001). Pain relief stratified by age, sex, symptom duration, and baseline VAS score showed significant improvement in both groups, with greater improvement in Group B. No acute or late complications were observed.

AB injection provides superior and more sustained pain relief than steroid injection in patients with lateral epicondylitis.