Treatment of Lateral Epicondylitis With Platelet-Rich Plasma, Glucocorticoid, or Saline A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Trial

TLDR: Neither injection of PRP nor glucocorticoid was superior to saline with regard to pain reduction in LE at the primary end point at 3 months, and neither had a short-term pain-reducing effect at 1 month in contrast to the other therapies.

Abstract: Background:Lateral epicondylitis (LE) is a common musculoskeletal disorder for which an effective treatment strategy remains unknown.Purpose:To examine whether a single injection of platelet-rich plasma (PRP) is more effective than placebo (saline) or glucocorticoid in reducing pain in adults with LE after 3 months.Study Design:Randomized controlled trial; Level of evidence, 1.Methods:A total of 60 patients with chronic LE were randomized (1:1:1) to receive either a blinded injection of PRP, saline, or glucocorticoid. The primary end point was a change in pain using the Patient-Rated Tennis Elbow Evaluation (PRTEE) questionnaire at 3 months. Secondary outcomes were ultrasonographic changes in tendon thickness and color Doppler activity.Results:Pain reduction at 3 months (primary end point) was observed in all 3 groups, with no statistically significant difference between the groups; mean differences were the following: glucocorticoid versus saline: −3.8 (95% CI, −9.9 to 2.4); PRP versus saline: −2.7 (95% ...