J Korean Shoulder Elbow Soc.  2010 Jun;13(1):58-63.

Treatment of Refractory Lateral Epicondylitis with Platelet-Rich Plasma

• Ko SH
• Lee CC
• Kang BS
• Lee KJ
• Lee SH

Abstract

PURPOSE
To evaluate clinical results of a single percutaneous injection of platelet-rich plasma in patients with refractory lateral epicondylitis.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
Between Jan and Dec 2009, fifteen patients (5 male, 10 female) received a diagnosis of lateral epicondylitis of the elbow and were evaluated in this study. Their average age was 43.5 years. All patients were initially given a variety of non-surgical treatments for more than 1year. All patients were considering surgery. These patients were given a single percutaneous injection of 3cc of platelet-rich plasma. To assess pain, we used a visual analogue scale (VAS) at rest and during work & the Patient-Rated Tennis Elbow Evaluation (PRTEE) score. We compared the score before treatment with scores 4 and 12 weeks after treatment.
RESULTS
Average VAS scores at rest improved from 4.6 before treatment to 2.5 at week 4, and 1.8 at week 12. The average VAS score while working also improved from 7.8 before treatment to 6.2 at week 4, and 4.25 at week 12. The average PRTEE score improved from 60.13 before treatment to 46.12 at week 4 and 24.6 at week 12.
CONCLUSION
Treatment using a single percutaneous injection of platelet-rich plasma in patients with refractory lateral epicondylitis appears to be an effective treatment modality. Platelet-rich plasma should be considered before surgical intervention.

Keyword

Elbow; Lateral epicondylitis; Platelet-rich plasma (PRP)

MeSH Terms

Elbow
Humans
Male
Platelet-Rich Plasma
Tennis Elbow