Effectiveness of autologous blood and steroid injections in patients with lateral epicondylitis, study conducted in teaching hospitaL

Abstract

BACKGROUND

Lateral Epicondylitis is a degenerative type of disease, the onset of which is hastened by overuse of the arm and elbow along with repeated forceful activities and awkward posture of the limb or elbow. Objective: To find whether autologous blood injection is effective or corticosteroid injection is effective to treat lateral epicondylitis.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

164 patients were diagnosed by clinical examination and divided into Group A and Group B with 82 in each group based on treatment either autologous blood injection or corticosteroid injection respectively. The entire patient were treated according to their group and observed for effectiveness of both treatments to improve at least one grade of pain on Visual Analogue Scale at 3months follow up. Data was analyzed by SPSS version 10.0.

RESULTS

Effectiveness of autologous blood injection and steroid injection were 63(76.83%) and 42 (51.22%) respectively with significant p value 0.1675. In group A and B the male and female ratios were 1:1.27 and 1:1.73. The mean ages were 34.12 years ± 7.28SD and 36.78 years ± 9.01SD respectively. Gender, age and duration of symptoms of patients were not significantly affecting the effectiveness.

CONCLUSION

This study concluded that autologous blood injection is effective than steroid injection in treating lateral epicondylitis