Vol. 1, Issue 1 (2015)

Background: Chronic lateral epicondylitis, commonly known as tennis elbow, is a degenerative condition often resistant to conventional treatments. Autologous platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injections have emerged as a potential regenerative therapy due to their high concentration of growth factors and anti-inflammatory properties. This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of autologous PRP injections in improving pain, functional status, range of motion (ROM), and inflammatory markers in patients with chronic lateral epicondylitis.

Methods: A randomized controlled trial was conducted at the Department of Orthopedics, Katuri Medical College and Hospital, Guntur, Andhra Pradesh. A total of 45 patients were randomly assigned to receive either PRP injections (n=23) or saline injections (n=22) as a control. Primary outcomes measured included pain intensity using the Visual Analog Scale (VAS) and functional improvement using the Patient-Rated Tennis Elbow Evaluation (PRTEE) score, assessed at baseline, 1 month, 3 months, 6 months, and 12 months post-injection. Secondary outcomes included changes in inflammatory markers (CRP and IL-6), ROM (extension and flexion), patient satisfaction, and adverse events.

Results: The PRP group showed a significant reduction in VAS and PRTEE scores compared to the control group at all follow-up points (p< 0.05). Inflammatory markers (CRP and IL-6) were significantly lower in the PRP group, indicating an anti-inflammatory effect. ROM improvements were more pronounced in the PRP group, with significant gains in both extension and flexion (p< 0.05). Patient satisfaction was higher in the PRP group, and fewer adverse events were reported compared to controls.

Conclusion: Autologous PRP injections significantly improve pain, functional outcomes, ROM, and reduce inflammatory markers in patients with chronic lateral epicondylitis compared to saline injections. These findings support the use of PRP as an effective treatment modality for tendinopathies, particularly in cases unresponsive to conventional therapies. Further studies are warranted to optimize PRP protocols and explore long-term outcomes.