Original Research Article
Year: 2018 | Month: October | Volume: 8 | Issue: 10 | Pages: 64-68
Injection of Autologous Blood versus Corticosteroid Injection in the Treatment of Tennis Elbow: A Prospective Randomized Comparative Study
Sheikh Irfan Bashir1, Mudasir Ahmad Khan2, Majid Ahmad Khan3
1Registrar, Department of Orthopaedics, SMHS Hospital, GMC-Srinagar, India.
2Demonstrator, Department of Anatomy, Government Medical College- Srinagar, India.
3Post PG in Pathology, Srinagar, J&K, India.
Corresponding Author: Mudasir Ahmad Khan
ABSTRACT
Introduction: Lateral epicondylitis, or tennis elbow, is commonly encountered in orthopaedic practice. The characteristic clinical findings are pain and tenderness over the lateral epicondyle. Lateral epicondylitis has been reported to be the result of overuse from many activities. Although it is often referred to as tennis elbow, it is seen to affect non-athletes rather than athletes.
Methods: A total of 50 patients were included in this prospective randomised study: 25 patients received 2 ml autologous blood drawn from contralateral upper limb vein and 25 patients received 2 ml (80 mg) of methylprednisolone injections at the lateral epicondyle. Outcome was measured using a VAS score and Nirschl staging of lateral epicondylitis. Follow-up was continued for total of six months, with assessment at 1 week, 2 months and 6 months.
Results: The severity of pain was measured pre-injection and after 1 week, 2 months and 6 months by the VAS for pain and Nirschl staging in all the patients. The result of the VAS for pain and Nirschl grades followed a remarkably different course over the period of follow-up in the two groups.
Conclusions: Autologous blood injection is efficient compared with corticosteroid injection, with less side-effects and minimum recurrence rate.
Key words: Lateral epicondylitis, Local corticosteroid, Autologous blood injection, Elbow.