Abstract

Introduction: Lateral epicondylitis, is seen to affect 1% to 3% of the general population in the 3^rd and 4^th decade of life and is one of the most common causes for elbow pain. Various treatment modalities have been used in its treatment including analgesics and immobilisation, wrist bracing, elbow bracing, local corticosteroid injection, shockwave therapy and modifying poor technique in sport or work and newer treatments like injecting Platelet Rich Plasma.

Aim: To study & compare the functional and subjective outcomes in patients with lateral epicondylitis treated with corticosteroid injections and platelet Rich plasma

Materials & Methods: 40 patients were divided equally into 2 groups based on block randomization, with one group receiving PRP and the other Corticosteroid injection. All the patients were assessed using the VAS and the LES score which was taken pre injection and post injection at 6 weeks, 3 months and 6 months respectively.

Results: At the end of the follow up, patients in both the groups were assessed using the VAS and the LES scoring system and statistically significant values were obtained (P<0.001). The results obtained showed that the patients who received PRP injections had better clinical outcome than those who received the corticosteroid injection.

Conclusion: Both PRP and Corticosteroids were effective in the treatment of lateral epicondylitis but PRP proved to be more effective modality in the treatment of lateral epicondylitis with a statistically significant better functional outcome and better pain relief.

Keywords: Tennis elbow, PRP, Platelet Rich Plasma.