title: Platelet-Rich Plasma Compared With Other Common Injection Therapies in the Treatment of Chronic Lateral Epicondylitis.
abstract: Lateral epicondylitis (LE) is a relatively common pathology capable of producing chronic debilitation in a variety of patients. A newer treatment for orthopedic conditions is platelet-rich plasma (PrP) local injection.
  
  
  
  Is PrP a more appropriate injection therapy for LE than other common injections such as corticosteroid or whole blood?
  
  
  
  Four studies were included: 1 randomized controlled trial (RCT), 2 double-blind RCTs, and 1 cohort study. Two studies involved comparisons of PrP injection to corticosteroid injection. One of the studies involved a 2-y follow-up while another involved a 1-y follow-up. Another study involved the comparison of PrP injection with whole-blood injection with a 6-mo follow-up. The final study included a PrP-injection group and control group. The 2 studies involving PrP vs. corticosteroid injections with 2-y and 1-y follow-ups both favored PrP over corticosteroid injection in terms of pain reduction and function increases. The third study favored PrP injections over whole-blood injections at 6 mo regarding pain reduction. All studies demonstrated significant improvements with PrP over comparison injections or no injection. Clinical Bottom Line: PrP injections provide more favorable pain and function outcomes than whole blood and corticosteroid injections for 1-2 y after injection.
  
  
  
  Consistent findings from RCTs suggest level 1b evidence in support of PrP injection as a treatment for LE.
authors.affiliation: Missouri Southern State University, Joplin, MO.
authors.forename: Tristan
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Rodik
authors.forename: Brendon
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: McDermott
mesh_terms: D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002908:Chronic Disease; D019317:Evidence-Based Medicine; D006801:Humans; D007267:Injections; D053657:Platelet-Rich Plasma; D013716:Tennis Elbow / Q000628:therapy*
chemical_list: D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones