title: Double-Blind Randomized Controlled Trial: Injection of Autologous Blood in the Treatment of Chronic Patella Tendinopathy-A Pilot Study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To assess the efficacy of autologous blood injections (ABIs) against saline in patients with chronic recalcitrant patella tendinopathy (PT).
  
  
  METHODS
  Double-blind randomized controlled study.
  
  
  METHODS
  Homerton Hospital Sports Medicine department.
  
  
  METHODS
  Those with a diagnosis of refractory patellar tendinopathy were recruited between March 2010 and March 2012.
  
  
  METHODS
  Using 2 practitioners, patients were randomized to either receive ABIs or saline injections.
  
  
  METHODS
  All patients completed the Short-Form McGill Pain Questionnaire (MPQ), a visual analog scale (VAS), and a Victoria Institute of Sport Assessment for Patella Tendinopathy scale over a 12-month period.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Twenty-two patients completed the final review at 12 months and were included in the study. Subjects ranged in age from 22 and 61 years and were randomized to 11 in each ABI and saline groups. Autologous blood injection group had a mean duration of symptoms of 16.7 months, whereas that of the saline group was 19.2 months. The saline group mean VAS score was reduced from 7.9 to 4.5 at 1 month (P = 0.003) and 3.3 (P = 0.005) at 1 year. With ABI, the score was reduced from 7.5 to 4.5 (P = 0.005) at 1 month and 3.1 (P = 0.003) at 1 year. Victoria Institute of Sport Assessment for Patella Tendinopathy, MPQ, and VAS scores improved significantly in both groups.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This study demonstrated that both the ABI and saline groups experienced a significant improvement in symptoms. However, when the results were compared, there was no statistical difference between the 2 groups.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This research showed that tendon fenestration is an alternative cost-effective treatment for recalcitrant PT.
authors.affiliation: *Sports and Musculoskeletal Department, Homerton University Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, London, United Kingdom; and †Tottenham Hotspur Football Club, London, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Peter
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Resteghini
authors.forename: Tamim A
authors.initials: TA
authors.lastname: Khanbhai
authors.forename: Shabaaz
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Mughal
authors.forename: Ziali
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Sivardeen
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001804:Blood Transfusion, Autologous; D002908:Chronic Disease; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007267:Injections; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D059352:Musculoskeletal Pain / Q000209:etiology; D010147:Pain Measurement; D017847:Patellar Ligament / Q000293:injuries* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D010865:Pilot Projects; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D012965:Sodium Chloride / Q000008:administration & dosage; D052256:Tendinopathy / Q000150:complications / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000628:therapy*; D014463:Ultrasonography; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D012965:Sodium Chloride