Autologous blood versus corticosteroid local injection in the short-term treatment of lateral elbow tendinopathy: a randomized clinical trial of efficacy.

Abstract

OBJECTIVE:

To compare local corticosteroid with autologous blood injections for the short-term treatment of lateral elbow tendinopathy.

DESIGN:

A single blind, randomized clinical trial was performed in an outpatient clinic at a university hospital. Sixty patients aged 27-64 yrs with a new episode of tennis elbow were recruited. Thirty patients were randomized to methylprednisolone and 30 to autologous blood group over 1 yr. Severity of pain within last 24 hrs; limb function; pain and strength in maximum grip; disabilities of the arm, shoulder, and hand quick questionnaire (Quick DASH) scores; modified Nirschl scores; and pressure pain threshold were evaluated before injection and at 4 and 8 wks after injection. We analyzed our data with the chi and t test.

RESULTS:

Within-group analyses showed better results for autologous blood (all P values <0.001 except for grip strength, P = 0.005). In the corticosteroid group, differences in severity of pain (P = 0.008) and grip strength (P = 0.001) were significant. At 4 wks, between-group analyses showed superiority of autologous blood for severity of pain (P = 0.001), pain in grip (P = 0.002), pressure pain threshold (P = 0.031), and Quick DASH questionnaire score (P = 0.004). There were no significant differences in modified Nirschl score, grip strength, and limb function. At 8 wks, autologous blood was more effective in all the outcomes (all P values <0.001).

CONCLUSIONS:

Autologous blood was more effective in short term than the corticosteroid injection.

• Authors: Marzieh Kazemi, Kamran Azma, Behrooz Tavana, Farid Rezaiee Moghaddam, Ali Panahi
• Journal: American journal of physical medicine & rehabilitation (Am J Phys Med Rehabil) Vol. 89 Issue 8 Pg. 660-7 (Aug 2010) ISSN: 1537-7385 [Electronic] United States
• PMID: 20463564 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Randomized Controlled Trial)

Chemical References

• Adrenal Cortex Hormones
• Methylprednisolone

Topics

• Adrenal Cortex Hormones (therapeutic use)
• Adult
• Blood Transfusion, Autologous
• Female
• Hand Strength
• Humans
• Injections, Intra-Articular
• Male
• Methylprednisolone (therapeutic use)
• Middle Aged
• Pain Measurement
• Single-Blind Method
• Tennis Elbow (therapy)