Efficacy of corticosteroids in the treatment of lateral epicondylitis

8 ACE Reports (7 randomized controlled trials and 1 systematic review and meta-analysis, n=694) from the OrthoEvidence database assessing the effectiveness of corticosteroid injections in comparison to control injections (either saline or local anesthesia) for the treatment of lateral epicondylitis were included in this review. The purpose of this review was to determine the impact of corticosteroid injections on pain and physical function in comparison to these control treatments. As such, information and data on platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injection efficacy as a treatment was not included from reports. Statistical pooling of VAS pain scores and Quick DASH scores exhibited that corticosteroid injections provided significant pain relief, compared to control injections only in the short-term (6-12 weeks), while having no functional benefits over control injections at any time point within a 6 month period. Similar results were reflected in PRTEE pain and functional disability scores for the treatment of lateral epicondylitis with corticosteroid injections versus control injections.