A Prospective Randomized Controlled Study Comparing the Efficacy of Platelet Rich Plasma Injection versus Steroid Injection in Lateral Epicondylitis.

Study Summary

100 patients with chronic lateral epicondylitis were randomized to receive platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injection (n = 50) or corticosteroid injection (n = 50). The primary outcomes of interest were pain and functional disability, assessed using the Patient-Rated Tennis Elbow Evaluation (PRTEE) and Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand (DASH) scores. Outcomes were assessed at baseline and at 1, 3, 6, and 12 months following injection. Overall, the results of the study revealed that corticosteroid injection provided significantly better pain relief and functional improvement at 1 month, whereas PRP demonstrated superior outcomes at 6 months. However, no significant between-group differences were observed at 3 or 12 months. These findings suggested that corticosteroids offered faster symptom relief, while PRP provided greater intermediate-term benefits for patients with chronic lateral epicondylitis.