Autologous blood injection versus corticosteroid for tennis elbow

Abstract

Purpose. To compare the efficacy of autologous blood injection versus corticosteroid injection for Tennis elbow. Materials and methods. 25 man and 35 women (mean age, 35.2 years) presenting with Tennis elbow were randomized to receive either autologous blood injection (2 ml autologous venous blood mixed with 1 ml of 2 % xylocaine) given by a single surgeon. Patients were assessed before (days 0) and after (days 15, 30, 60) treatment for elbow pain, function and grip strength. Patients were followed up at 1 year to assess elbow pain. Results. Infection, tendon rupture and neurovascular damage were not found. 5 patients reported pain for upto 3 days after autologous blood injection. In both groups grip strength improved dramatically after treatment, but the mode of improvement differed. Compared with autologous blood injection corticosteroid injection improved at a faster rate over the first 15 days and then started to decline slightly until day 60. After autologous blood injection pain, function and grip strength improved steadily and were eventually better. Conclusion. Autologous blood injection was more effective over the long term follow up period than corticosteroid injection in improving pain, function and grip strength. That’s way we recommend this as a first line injection treatment because it is very simple, cheap and more effective.