Autologous blood versus corticosteroid local injection in the short-term treatment of lateral elbow tendinopathy: a randomized clinical trial of efficacy.
OBJECTIVE
To compare local corticosteroid with autologous blood injections for the short-term treatment of lateral elbow tendinopathy.


METHODS
A single blind, randomized clinical trial was performed in an outpatient clinic at a university hospital. Sixty patients aged 27-64 yrs with a new episode of tennis elbow were recruited. Thirty patients were randomized to methylprednisolone and 30 to autologous blood group over 1 yr. Severity of pain within last 24 hrs; limb function; pain and strength in maximum grip; disabilities of the arm, shoulder, and hand quick questionnaire (Quick DASH) scores; modified Nirschl scores; and pressure pain threshold were evaluated before injection and at 4 and 8 wks after injection. We analyzed our data with the chi and t test.


RESULTS
Within-group analyses showed better results for autologous blood (all P values <0.001 except for grip strength, P = 0.005). In the corticosteroid group, differences in severity of pain (P = 0.008) and grip strength (P = 0.001) were significant. At 4 wks, between-group analyses showed superiority of autologous blood for severity of pain (P = 0.001), pain in grip (P = 0.002), pressure pain threshold (P = 0.031), and Quick DASH questionnaire score (P = 0.004). There were no significant differences in modified Nirschl score, grip strength, and limb function. At 8 wks, autologous blood was more effective in all the outcomes (all P values <0.001).


CONCLUSIONS
Autologous blood was more effective in short term than the corticosteroid injection.
Kazemi
Marzieh
M
Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation School of Medicine, Army University of Medical Sciences, Islamic Republic of Iran, Western Fatemi, Tehran, Islamic Republic of Iran.
Azma
Kamran
K
Tavana
Behrooz
B
Rezaiee Moghaddam
Farid
F
Panahi
Ali
A
D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000328:Adult; D001804:Blood Transfusion, Autologous; D005260:Female; D018737:Hand Strength; D006801:Humans; D007270:Injections, Intra-Articular; D008297:Male; D008775:Methylprednisolone / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008875:Middle Aged; D010147:Pain Measurement; D016037:Single-Blind Method; D013716:Tennis Elbow / Q000628:therapy*
D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones; D008775:Methylprednisolone