Highlights
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Today’s Research Article: PRP beats steroids for tennis elbow: Better healing, fewer side effects!
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Questions from the Field: What’s your PRP consult sweet spot? Dr. DeMers shares hers.
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Let’s Get Down to Business: Better info = Better outcomes: Master your PRP consultations.
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Come Join Us: Join the Orthobiologics conversation—See you in Texas and D.C.
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Today’s Research Article
Management of Lateral Epicondylitis: A Prospective Comparative Study Comparing the Local Infiltrations of Leucocyte Enriched Platelet-Rich Plasma (L-aPRP), Glucocorticoid and Normal Saline
Arora KK, MS Orth, Kapila R, MS Orth, Kapila S, MDS, Patra A, MS Chaudhary P, MS, Singal A, PhD
Summary:
This prospective comparative study evaluated the effectiveness of leucocyte-enriched activated platelet-rich plasma (L-aPRP) injections compared to glucocorticoids and normal saline (placebo) in managing lateral epicondylitis (tennis elbow) in 60 patients over a 12-week period. Patients treated with L-aPRP demonstrated continuous and significant improvements in pain relief, elbow function, and overall quality of life, as shown by markedly better scores on MEPS, VAS, DASH, and PRTEE scales. In contrast, glucocorticoid injections provided short-term symptomatic relief initially but plateaued and declined in effectiveness after 4-8 weeks, while normal saline had no therapeutic benefit.
The superior performance of L-aPRP injections is attributed to their growth factors (TGF-β, PDGF, VEGF, FGF), which accelerate tendon healing, enhance neovascularization, and promote organized tissue repair. Being autologous, L-aPRP is immunologically safe, readily available, cost-effective, and avoids adverse effects like tissue degeneration and skin hypopigmentation commonly seen with corticosteroids. Hence, L-aPRP injections represent a more effective and sustainable therapeutic option for patients with lateral epicondylitis compared to corticosteroids or placebo.
Talking Points for Doctors to Patients: Why Choose PRP
