Platelet rich plasma versus laser therapy in lateral epicondylitis of elbow.

BACKGROUND

Platelet rich plasma (PRP) extract has shown to be a general stimulation for repair and currently used widely in various sports injury. A prospective observational study was done to assess the efficacy of autologous PRP injection in lateral epicondylitis of elbow, and compare the result with low level laser therapy.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The trial was conducted at a tertiary care center for a period of 2 years. Eighty-one patients with chronic lateral epicondylitis were divided into two groups. PRP group (n = 39) and laser therapy group (n = 42). The primary analysis included Nirschl pain score, local tenderness, pain on wrist extension, grip strength, elbow swelling were clinically assessed at different interval of followup (minimum followup: 52 weeks) and; clinical and functional outcome evaluated at final followup. The statistical analysis were done.

RESULTS

The mean Nirschl pain score decreased significantly from baseline in PRP when compared with low level laser therapy (P ≤ 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

Treatment of patients with chronic lateral epicondylitis with PRP extract reduced pain and significantly increased function, exceeding the effect of low level laser therapy on long term followup. Low-level laser therapy is better in the short term period, but on long term followup injection PRP therapy is better than laser therapy in lateral epicondylitis.