OUTCOME IN THE MANAGEMENT OF LATERAL EPICONDYLITIS BETWEEN LEUKOCYTE RICH PLATELET RICH PLASMA AND LEUKOCYTE POOR PLATELET RICH PLASMA- A COMPARATIVE STUDY.

Abstract

Objectives: This study aims to compare the effect of leukocyte concentration in platelet-rich plasma (PRP) on pain, functionality and post-injection local inflammatory reactions in patients with lateral epicondylitis. Patients and methods: The study included 30 patients (14 males, 16 females; mean age 38.6 years; range 18 to 75 years) with lateral epicondylitis related pain visual analog scale (VAS) score of ≥5 for more than three months. Patients were randomly assigned into three groups. Normal saline (1.5 mL) was injected in group 1 (control group) while a single dose of leukocyte-poor-PRP (1.5 mL) and leukocyte-rich-PRP (1.5 mL) were injected in groups 2 and 3, respectively. An exercise program was recommended to patients in all three groups. Patients were assessed according to VAS, Patient-Rated Tennis Elbow Evaluation, grip dynamometer and pinchmeter, extensor tendon thickness and cortical derangement at baseline and at fourth and eighth weeks after therapy. All patients were questioned regarding paracetamol use and adverse effects after therapy.