Autologous blood injections for refractory lateral epicondylitis.




(Part of one of my paper in a upcoming journal……….)

Lateral epicondylitis is degenerative than an inflammatory process. Old treatment methods based on anti-inflammatory module delivery are facing theoretical nihilism. Currently few researchers are trying to inject autologous blood in to the painful area of the lateral elbow. The thought behind injection of autologous blood in such case is; it might provide the necessary cellular and humoral mediators to induce a healing cascade.

Example of a study:
Edwards SG et al injected 2ml autologous blood under the extensor carpi radialis brevis to treat refractory lateral epicondylitis. All patients had failed previous nonsurgical treatments including all or combinations of physical therapy, splinting, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medication, and prior steroid injections. The average follow-up period Edwards SG et al’s study was 9.5 months (range, 6-24 months).

They found:
After autologous blood injection therapy 22 patients (79%) in whom nonsurgical modalities had failed were relieved completely of pain even during strenuous activity. However we found quality of this study was not up to mark as it lacked good sample size, randomization and evaluation through standardized outcome measures etc.

More evidence required from keen researchers.


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