Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP) For Tennis Elbow. Promising Results!

This Article comes from The American Orthopedic Society for Sports Medicine

Background: Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) has been shown to be a general stimulation for repair and 1-year results showed promising success percentages.

Purpose: This trial was undertaken to determine the effectiveness of PRP compared with corticosteroid injections in patients with chronic lateral epicondylitis (Tennis Elbow) with a 2-year follow-up.

Study Design: Randomized controlled trial; Level of evidence, 1.

Methods: The trial was conducted in 2 Dutch teaching hospitals. One hundred patients with chronic lateral epicondylitis (Tennis Elbow) were randomly assigned to a leukocyte-enriched PRP group (n = 51) or the corticosteroid group (n = 49). Randomization and allocation to the trial group were carried out by a central computer system. Patients received either a corticosteroid injection or an autologous platelet concentrate injection through a peppering needling technique. The primary analysis included visual analog scale (VAS) pain scores and Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand (DASH) outcome scores.

Results: The PRP group was more often successfully treated than the corticosteroid group (P < .0001). Success was defined as a reduction of 25% on VAS or DASH scores without a reintervention after 2 years. When baseline VAS and DASH scores were compared with the scores at 2-year follow-up, both groups significantly improved across time (intention-to-treat principle). However, the DASH scores of the corticosteroid group returned to baseline levels, while those of the PRP group significantly improved (as-treated principle). There were no complications related to the use of PRP.

Conclusion: Treatment of patients with chronic lateral epicondylitis (Tennis Elbow) with PRP reduces pain and increases function significantly, exceeding the effect of corticosteroid injection even after a follow-up of 2 years. Future decisions for application of PRP for lateral epicondylitis (Tennis Elbow) should be confirmed by further follow-up from this trial and should take into account possible costs and harms as well as benefits.

DR. OZ EVENT SATURDAY MARCH 21st 2015, 10am – 4pm

I will be at my booth at the Dr. Oz event at Westfeild Citrus Park Mall. I will be discussing PRP (Platelet Rich Plasma), it works and what kind of procedures we do in the office.

Come join us, see Dr. Oz in person, we will have a booth set up for information on all the procedures and you can receive a Free Gift Certificate, good towards one of our PRP procedures.

Event Location:

Westfeild Citrus Park Mall

8021 Citrus Park Town Center

Tampa, FL., 33625

Thanks, looking forward to seeing you at my booth.

Dr. David Ikudayisi.