New Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP) Study On Tennis Elbow (Lateral Epicondylitis)

Gosens & Sluimer from the Netherlands, just reported on a prospective, double blinded, randomized study comparing PRP to cortisone injections in the treatment of 100 patients with tennis elbow. They used a visual analog pain score (1-10) & a DASH score to measure treatment response by 24 weeks. Both groups demonstrated initial improvement. However, by 24 weeks the cortisone group had a recurrence of pain whereas the PRP group continued to have improved pain scores. 1 and 2 year follow up results will be reported in the future.

Prior research has showed that after 4-6 weeks injured tendons are no longer inflammed, but rather become thickened, scarred, & fibrotic with poor blood supply. Therefore at this point the proper nomenclature is “tendinosis” not tendinitis. With this understanding we try to facilitate healing by increasing blood flow and breaking up scar tissue.