Abstract
Introduction
Lateral epicondylitis, also known as “tennis elbow,” is a degenerative disorder of the common extensor origin of the lateral humeral epicondyle. The mainstay of treatment is non-operative and includes physiotherapy, activity modification, bracing, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, and injections. There is a subgroup of patients however who do not respond to non-operative measures and require operative intervention.
Methods
We conducted a retrospective review of prospectively collected data to assess whether the introduction of PRP injections for lateral epicondylitis led to a reduction in patients subsequently undergoing surgical release.
Results
Prior to the introduction of PRP injections, a mean of 12.75 patients a year underwent arthroscopic release for tennis elbow. Since PRP introduction this reduced to a mean of 4.25 patients a year. Using a Pearsons chi squared test this is a significant fall in the number of releases required, P<0.001. This significant reduction in patients requiring surgery since PRP introduction leads to an absolute risk reduction of 0.773 and number needed to treat on “as-treated” basis of only 1.3.
Conclusion
In conclusion we consider PRP injection, for intractable lateral epicondylitis of the elbow, not only a safe but also very effective tool in reducing symptoms and have shown it has reduced the need for surgical intervention in this difficult cohort of patients.
