MRI correlation of tennis elbow patients treated with platelet rich plasma (PRP)

Abstract

Introduction: Tennis elbow is a common problem, for which current available treatments are often unsatisfactory. Biologic therapies, such as platelet rich plasma (PRP) injections, aimed at stimulating healing of degenerative tendons by releasing growth factors, have shown promise in vitro study but clinical research is limited. The objective of present study is to study the efficacy of platelet rich plasma in tennis elbow, and to evaluate the outcomes of this recent modality of treatment for tennis elbow by MRI studies.Materials and Methods: Patients who were diagnosed with tennis elbow and undergone conservative treatment for at least 3 months but not improved were included in the study after obtaining written informed consent. After preparation of PRP by centrifugation, the injection was given under ultrasonography (USG) guidance at the site of tendinopathy within 4 hours of preparation. The patients were evaluated by Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) pre procedure and post procedure at 1 week, 1, 2, 3, and 6 months. Result: 30 patients fulfilling the inclusion criteria were included in the study and treated with PRP. Majority of them showed significant improvement in terms MRI studies and were able to return to work at 6 months of follow up. Conclusion: Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) may represent a therapeutic option for tennis elbow. Thus, future research should focus on identifying proper treatment time, optimal dosage and ideal PRP concentration.