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

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.