In a new study published in The American Journal of Sports Medicine, researchers show that platelet-rich plasma injections for treating chronic lateral elbow epicondylitis can significantly reduce pain at the six-week follow-up when compared with autologous whole blood injections, according to a Pain Medicine News report.
However, the study results don't show a significant improvement in elbow function at any time, and at six months all results were equal, according to the report. The researchers randomized 28 consecutive patients with lateral epicondylitis who either received a single 3 mL injection of autologous peripheral whole blood or autologous PRP.
Patients who received the PRP injection reported improved baseline of visual analog scale scores significantly higher than patients in the autologous whole blood group at six weeks. There was no significant difference between the two groups in the Liverpool elbow score.
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Patients who received the PRP injection reported improved baseline of visual analog scale scores significantly higher than patients in the autologous whole blood group at six weeks. There was no significant difference between the two groups in the Liverpool elbow score.
Related Articles on Sports Medicine:
7 Things Orthopedic Surgeons Should Know About Platelet Rich Plasma
Is PRP a Passing Trend or the Future of Sports Medicine? 4 Physician Responses
PRP Use for Orthopedics: Updates and Standards from AAOS