Background:
Lateral epicondylitis, or tennis elbow, is a very common cause of elbow pain among the general population. Some cases are resistant to treatment and lead to marked disability.
Patients and methods:
Seventy patients with chronic lateral epicondylitis refractory to conservative
treatment were included in this study. The patients were divided into two treatment groups. The first group contained thirty-three cases treated by percutaneous tenotomy of the common extensor origin (group I) whereas the second group contained thirty-seven cases treated by local injection of platelet rich plasma (group II).
Results:
In the first group, after a mean follow up of 36.9 months, the average VAS improved from 8.4 to 3.1, the average DASH score improved from 74 to 48 and the average Nirchl score improved from 5.7 to 2.9. In the second group, after a mean follow up of 37.3
months, the average VAS improved from 8.6 to 1.9, the average DASH score improved from 72 to 44 and the average Nirchl score improved from 5.6 to 1.6.
Conclusion:
Both methods are effective for treating resistant lateral epicondylitis. Percutaneous tenotomy is simple and efficient. Platelet rich plasma should be tried before surgical treatment for treating chronic lateral epicondylitis.
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