Clinical rheumatology
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Clinical rheumatology · Aug 2020
Meta AnalysisClinical efficacy of platelet-rich plasma in the treatment of lateral epicondylitis: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized placebo-controlled clinical trials.
To compare the effects of platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injection versus placebo (saline injection) on pain and joint function in lateral epicondylitis in randomized placebo-controlled trials. Randomized controlled trials that evaluated pain (visual analog scale [VAS] and patient-rated tennis elbow evaluation [PRTEE]) and/or functional improvement (PRTEE; disability of the arm, shoulder, and hand [DASH]; and Roles-Maudsley score [RMS]) in patients diagnosed with lateral epicondylitis and compared PRP with placebo injections were considered. The MEDLINE, EMBASE, Web of Science, and Scopus databases were searched from inception to October 2019. ⋯ PRP injection was not superior to placebo for relieving pain and joint functionality in chronic lateral epicondylitis. However, patients reported improvement after both interventions in such clinical parameters. Further randomized trials are required to determine whether PRP injection is clinically more effective than placebo (saline injection).