Study Summary

Ninety-six patients with chronic lateral epicondylitis were randomized to receive platelet-rich plasma injection plus extracorporeal shock wave therapy with exercise, sham platelet-rich plasma injection plus extracorporeal shock wave therapy with exercise, or extracorporeal shock wave therapy with exercise alone. The primary outcome of interest was pain measured using the visual analog scale. Secondary outcomes included handgrip strength, Patient-Rated Tennis Elbow Evaluation scores, Quick Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand scores, Short Form-36 quality-of-life scores, ultrasonographic parameters of the common extensor tendon, and isokinetic wrist strength. Outcomes were assessed at baseline, four weeks, and twelve weeks. Overall, the results of the study revealed that the PRP combined with ESWT group demonstrated greater improvements in pain, functional scores, and grip strength compared with the other groups during follow-up. These findings suggest that combining PRP with ESWT and exercise may enhance clinical recovery in patients with lateral epicondylitis compared with ESWT-based treatment alone