TREATMENT OF MEDIAL EPICONDYLITIS WITH LOCAL INJECTION OF PLATELET RICH PLASMA

Abstract

Introduction:: Medial epicondylitis is commonly referred to as ‘‘golfer’s elbow,’’ and is characterized by pathologic changes to the musculo-tendinous origin at the medial epicondyle. Actually, epicondylitis is not an inflammatory process, but it is a tendinosis that results from tendon microscopic tearing, followed by an incomplete reparative response. Several treatment options are available as non???steroidal anti-inflammatory medications, physiotherapy, extracorporeal shock wave therapy, local steroid injections and more recently local injection of platelet rich plasma (PRP). Surgery reserved for resistant cases when the mentioned modalities fail. Patients and method: This study included 27 patients presented to El???Hadara University Hospital with chronic symptomatic medial epicondylitis for more than 6 months. All cases received single local injection of PRP and followed up for 3 months after injection. Patientsassessment was done using the VAS and DASH scoring system at the initial visit (before injection) and through the follow up period at 2 weeks, 6 weeks and 12 weeks.Results: Local injection of PRP in cases of medial epicondylitis was a successful method of treatment. When the baseline VAS and DASHscores were compared with the scores at 3 months follow-up, the results showed significant improved across time. Conclusion: local PRP injection significantly reduced pain and increased function in patients with chronic medial epicondylitis