title: Effect of Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) versus Autologous Whole Blood on Pain and Function Improvement in Tennis Elbow: A Randomized Clinical Trial.
abstract: Background. Autologous whole blood and platelet-rich plasma (PRP) have been both suggested to treat chronic tennis elbow. The aim of the present study was to compare the effects of PRP versus autologous whole blood local injection in chronic tennis elbow. Methods. Forty patients with tennis elbow were randomly divided into 2 groups. Group 1 was treated with a single injection of 2 mL of autologous PRP and group 2 with 2 mL of autologous blood. Tennis elbow strap, stretching, and strengthening exercises were administered for both groups during a 2-month followup. Pain and functional improvements were assessed using visual analog scale (VAS), modified Mayo Clinic performance index for the elbow, and pressure pain threshold (PPT) at 0, 4, and 8 weeks. Results. All pain and functional variables including VAS, PPT, and Mayo scores improved significantly in both groups 4 weeks after injection. No statistically significant difference was noted between groups regarding pain scores in 4-week follow-up examination (P > 0.05). At 8-week reevaluations, VAS and Mayo scores improved only in PRP group (P < 0.05). Conclusion. PRP and autologous whole blood injections are both effective to treat chronic lateral epicondylitis. PRP might be slightly superior in 8-week followup. However, further studies are suggested to get definite conclusion.
authors.affiliation: Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Shahid Modarres Hospital, Faculty of Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran 1998734383, Iran.
authors.forename: Seyed Ahmad
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: Raeissadat
authors.affiliation: Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Shohadaye Tajrish Hospital, Faculty of Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran 1989934148, Iran.
authors.forename: Leyla
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Sedighipour
authors.affiliation: Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Shohadaye Tajrish Hospital, Faculty of Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran 1989934148, Iran.
authors.forename: Seyed Mansoor
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Rayegani
authors.affiliation: Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Shohadaye Tajrish Hospital, Faculty of Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran 1989934148, Iran.
authors.forename: Mohammad Hasan
authors.initials: MH
authors.lastname: Bahrami
authors.affiliation: Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Shohadaye Tajrish Hospital, Faculty of Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran 1989934148, Iran.
authors.forename: Masume
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Bayat
authors.affiliation: Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Shahid Modarres Hospital, Faculty of Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran 1998734383, Iran.
authors.forename: Rosa
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Rahimi