OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study is to examine the effect of a single percutaneous injection of platelet-rich-plasma compared to an injection of corticosteroids in patients with chronic lateral epicondylitis.

BACKGROUND: Lateral epicondylitis is a common problem that usually resolves with nonoperative treatments. Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP) is a component of whole blood that contains concentrated amounts of powerful growth factors. PRP has been used for a variety of orthopedic applications including tendinopathy, wound healing and spinal fusion with varying degrees of success. Buffered PRP has also been used to enhance cell proliferation in-vitro.

HYPOTHESIS: Treatment of chronic severe lateral epicondylitis with buffered platelet-rich plasma will reduce pain and increase function in patients considering surgery for their problem.

METHODS: One hundred patients with persistent lateral epicondylar pain were evaluated in this study. All these patients were initially given a variety of nonoperative treatments. These patients had significant persistent pain for at least 3 months despite these interventions. All patients were considering surgery. This cohort of patients who had failed nonoperative treatment was then given either a single percutaneous injection of platelet-rich plasma (experimental group, n = 50) or corticosteroids (control group, n = 50).

RESULTS: PRP has a significant better effect on lateral epicondylitis than corticosteroid injections.

CONCLUSION: This in-vivo data suggest that tendon healing is occurring in lateral epicondylitis using PRP.