J Korean Soc Surg Hand.  2010 Jun;15(2):71-76.

Treatment of Recalcitrant Medial and Lateral Epicondylitis with Autologous Platelet Rich Plasma; Preliminary Report

• Lee JH
• Yoon JO
• Jeong BS
• Park HY

Abstract

PURPOSE
We evaluated the clinical outcomes of the autologous platelet rich plasma injection for the treatment of recalcitrant medial and lateral epicondylitis.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
Nineteen cases with recalcitrant medial and lateral epicondylitis despite of conservative treatment for 1 year were enrolled in this study. Each patient underwent autologous platelet rich plasma injection and followed up minimally of 40 weeks. The assessment included a preoperative and postoperative Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) (0~10) at 4, 8, 12, 24 and 36 weeks and overall satisfaction was evaluated with Roles & Maudsley score at 36 weeks after injection. We also compared the clinical outcomes between medial and lateral epicondylitis group.
RESULTS
Mean preoperative VAS was 8.7 points and improved to 5.1, 5.2 and 4.7 at 12, 24 and 36 weeks follow up, respectively. Roles & Maudsley score was excellent in 5 cases(26%), good in 7 cases(37%), acceptable in 4 cases(21%) and poor in 3 cases(16%). On the comparison of medial and lateral epicondylitis group, there was no statistical significant difference (p=0.38).
CONCLUSION
The autologous platelet rich plasma injection for recalcitrant medial & lateral epicondylitis is thought to be a alternative treatment option.

Keyword

Elbow; Recalcitrant medial and lateral epicondylitis; Platelet rich plasma

MeSH Terms

Blood Platelets
Elbow
Follow-Up Studies
Humans
Platelet-Rich Plasma