A Randomised Control Trial For Analysing Efectiveness Of Corticosteroid Versus Platelet Rich Plasma Injection In Tennis Elbow

Abstract

Introduction: Lateral elbow eFigondylar tendinosis or tennis elbow (TE) is a common condition occurring at the common extensor tendon that takes origin from the lateral eFigondyle in patients whose activities require repetitive movements or strong gripping. It causes functional impairment and pain in daily activities. Even though it has been termed tennis elbow, it affects non-athletes rather than athletes.Materials and Methods: The study was conducted in the Department of Orthopaedics, Maharajah’s Institute of Medical Sciences, Vizianagaram over a period of 23 months from Jan, 2019 to Dec, 2020. Subjects were recruited from patients presenting in Orthopedics OPD, Maharajah’s Institute of Medical Sciences, Vizianagarm (with a primary diagnosis of lateral eFigondylitis or Tennis Elbow) after obtaining written informed consent. Diagnosis of lateral eFigondylitis was made on clinical grounds. The type of study was Randomised Experimental Study with a sample size of 60 consecutively reporting subjects in the OPD. Study subjects were systematically and randomly allocated into two groups of 30 each (Group A and Group B).Results: The present study includes subjects with a primary diagnosis of lateral eFigondylitis (Tennis elbow). The recruited subjects were randomly allocated into two treatment groups i.e. Corticosteroid injection and Autologous Platelet Rich Plasma injection. Pain and elbow function was assessed by VAS (Visual analogue scale) and Modified Mayo Performance Index for Elbow. Efficacy of both the interventions was compared at three different time frame s i.e. 1,2 and 6 months. This study was conducted in the Department of Orthopedics, Maharajah’s Institute of Medical Sciences, Vizianagaram over a period of 23 Months year. The study comprised of 60 subjects with 30 patients in each group.Conclusion: In conclusion, this study describes the comparison of an autologous platelet concentrate with commonly used corticosteroid injection, as a main therapy for lateral eFigondylitis in patients who have failed nonoperative treatment. It reveals that a single injection of concentrated autologous platelets improves pain and function more so than corticosteroid injection. More importantly these improvements were profound and sustained over longer periods of time as compared to corticosteroid injection.