title: Comparison of short term results of single injection of autologous blood and steroid injection in tennis elbow: a prospective study.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  It has been recently reported that local injection of autologous blood in tennis elbow offers a significant benefit by virtue of various growth factors contained therein. The objective of our study was assessment of efficacy of autologous blood injection versus local corticosteroid injection in the treatment of tennis elbow.
  A single blinded, prospective parallel group trial was undertaken. 50 consecutive patients of untreated lateral epicondylitis were enrolled. Randomisation was done on alternate basis and two groups were constituted, first one receiving steroid injection and second one injection of autologous blood. Both groups were evaluated at 2 and 6 weeks for pain relief and stage of disease.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Baseline evaluation showed no difference between the two groups (chi square test, P > 0.05). Between group analysis at 2 weeks showed no difference in pain relief and Nirschl stage (unpaired t test, P > 0.05). Evaluation at 6 weeks demonstrated a significant decrease in pain levels and stage of disease in blood group (unpaired t test, p < 0.05).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Autologous blood injection was more effective than steroid injection in the short term follow up in tennis elbow.
authors.affiliation: Government Medical College and Hospital, Chandigarh, India. nipun17online@gmail.com
authors.forename: Nipun
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Jindal
authors.forename: Yusuf
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Gaury
authors.forename: Ramesh C
authors.initials: RC
authors.lastname: Banshiwal
authors.forename: Ravinder
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Lamoria
authors.forename: Vikas
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Bachhal
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001804:Blood Transfusion, Autologous / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D005938:Glucocorticoids / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D007270:Injections, Intra-Articular; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010146:Pain / Q000209:etiology; D010147:Pain Measurement; D011239:Prednisolone / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D016037:Single-Blind Method; D013716:Tennis Elbow / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000628:therapy*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D005938:Glucocorticoids; C009935:prednisolone acetate; D011239:Prednisolone