IJSR International Journal of Scientific Research 2277 - 8179 Indian Society for Health and Advanced Research ijsr-9-5-25068 Original Research Paper Autologous Blood Injections in Tennis Elbow - The Indian Experience A Ahmed Dr. Aaron R D'Souza Dr. May 2020 9 5 01 02 ABSTRACT

Lateral epicondylitis, is a common problem which presents to every orthopaedician in the out– patient department. Histopathological reports over the years have shown that is not an inflammatory process but a degenerative condition termed ‘tendinosis‘. In recent years, it is hypothesized that blood contains platelet derived growth factors that induce fibroblastic mitosis, and chemotactic polypeptides such as transforming growth factor cause fibroblasts to migrate and specialize and have been found to induce healing cascade. With this there has been an emergent rise in platelet rich plasma injections and autologous blood injections for the treatment of lateral epicondylitis and other similar conditions. The objective of the study was to evaluate the efficacy and role of autologous blood injection versus local corticosteroid injection in the management of lateral epicondylitis. A prospective, randomized study was done. 80 patients were included in the study. 40 patients received 2 milliliter autologous blood drawn from contralateral cubital vein + 1 milliliter 2% Lignocaine, and 40 patients received 2 milliliters local corticosteroid (Triamcinolone acetate 40 mg) + 1 milliliter 2% Lignocaine at the lateral epicondyle. Outcome was measured using ‘Visual analogue score‘, ‘Nirschl staging‘ and ‘Verhaar et al staging‘. Chi square test and Unpaired T test was applied to calculate the significance of results. Follow–up was done for a total 6 months at various intervals. In Corticosteroid injection group till 4 weeks there was significant improvement with 57.5% of patients completely relieved of pain. Many of these patients reported recurrences at 12 weeks and 6 month follow up. The rate of recurrence was 20% at the end of 6 months. In autologous blood injection group at 4th week follow up, 17.5% of patients were completely free of pain. However, at the end of 6 months follow up, 92.5% of patients were completely free of pain. There was no recurrence. Autologous blood injection technique for lateral epicondylitis offered a better treatment with no side effects, cheap and with minimum recurrence rate.