Platelet-Rich Plasma Significantly Improves Clinical Outcomes in Patients With Chronic Tennis Elbow
The Regenerative Clinic's view on this research
Mr Ali Noorani “Mishra et al study published study in 2013. Again, looking at the efficacy of PRP and conclude that it significantly clinically improves the outcome in patients with chronic tennis elbow. This was a double-blind perspective multi-central control trial of 230 patients. All patients had extensor tendons needled with or without PRP. Patients were followed up and regular interval’s and at 24 weeks it was noted that patients had a significantly higher success rate when PRP was added in addition to the tendon needling.”
Abstract
Background: Elbow tenderness and pain with resisted wrist extension are common manifestations of lateral epicondylar tendinopathy, also known as tennis elbow. Previous studies have suggested platelet-rich plasma (PRP) to be a safe and effective therapy for tennis elbow.
Purpose: To evaluate the clinical value of tendon needling with PRP in patients with chronic tennis elbow compared with an active
control group.
Study Design: Randomized controlled trial; Level of evidence, 1.
Methods: A total of 230 patients with chronic lateral epicondylar tendinopathy were treated at 12 centers over 5 years. All patients had at least 3 months of symptoms and had failed conventional therapy. There were no differences in patients randomized to receive PRP (n = 116) or active controls (n = 114). The PRP was prepared from venous whole blood at the point of care and contained both concentrated platelets and leukocytes. After receiving a local anesthetic, all patients had their extensor tendons needled with or without PRP. Patients and investigators remained blinded to the treatment group throughout the study.
Results: Patient outcomes were followed for up to 24 weeks. At 12 weeks (n = 192), the PRP-treated patients reported an improvement of 55.1% in their pain scores compared with 47.4% in the active control group (P = .094). At 24 weeks (n = 119), the PRP-treated patients reported an improvement of 71.5% in their pain scores compared with 56.1% in the control group (P = .027). The percentage of patients reporting significant elbow tenderness at 12 weeks was 37.4% in the PRP group versus 48.4% in the control group (P = .036). At 24 weeks, 29.1% of the PRP-treated patients reported significant elbow tenderness versus 54.0% in the control group (P\.001). Success rates for patients with 24 weeks of follow-up were 83.9% in the PRP group compared with 68.3% in the control group (P = .012). No significant complications occurred in either group.
Conclusion: Treatment of chronic tennis elbow with leukocyte-enriched PRP is safe and results in clinically meaningful improvements compared with an active control group.