Article

This study investigates the clinical effects of autologous conditioned
plasma (ACP) injections and low-level laser application as therapy options for
chronic lateral epicondylitis. DESIGN: A total of 52 patients with chronic
lateral epicondylitis were evaluated in this study; 26 of these patients received
three ACP injections and the control group, with 26 patients, received 12 laser
applications, with standardized physical therapy for all patients afterward.
Control examinations took place before treatment, after 2 and 6 mos, and in the 1
yr final follow-up. The control examination included the visual analog scale for
pain and Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand outcome measure scores.
RESULTS: The analysis at final follow-up after 1 yr showed that both treatment
options resulted in successful therapy outcome for the patients. In total, 63.5 %
were successfully treated. Successful treatment was defined as more than 30%
improvement in the visual analog score and more than 10.2 points in the
Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand score. Both groups showed a
significant improvement in time response. CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrates
the beneficial effects of autologous proliferative therapies in the treatment of
lateral epicondylitis. The data show that laser application and ACP therapy lead
to a clinical improvement in epicondylopathia. Especially the new treatment with
ACP can be highlighted as an alternative and as an easy-to-apply therapy option
for clinical practice.
- Tennis elbow

Langue : ANGLAIS