Key Takeaway
PRP injections provide superior long-term pain relief and functional improvement for lateral epicondylitis compared to corticosteroid and other injections, with benefits persisting beyond 6 months.
Summary
This systematic review and meta-analysis examined randomized controlled trials comparing platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injections with other treatments for lateral epicondylitis (tennis elbow).
The results demonstrated that PRP injections outperformed corticosteroid injections and other comparators for long-term functional improvement and pain reduction. While corticosteroids often showed better short-term results, PRP consistently delivered superior outcomes at follow-ups beyond 6 months, suggesting durable tissue healing rather than temporary symptom suppression.
The findings support PRP as a preferred injectable treatment for chronic lateral epicondylitis, particularly for patients seeking sustained improvement rather than short-term relief.