BACKGROUND: Extensor muscle strengthening exercises with counterforce braces (EX) is a conventional conservative treatment for lateral epicondylitis (LE) of the elbow. In addition, polydeoxyribonucleotide (PDRN) or extracorporeal shockwave therapy (ESWT) has been recently used for LE. METHODS: Sixty-three patients with chronic LE participated in this study and randomly allocated in three groups (G1 EX, G2 EX plus PDRN injection, and G3 EX+ESWT). All of the three groups were taught to perform EX at the first out-patient department (OPD) visit. Group 2 was injected with 3 mL PDRN (5.625 mg/3 mL), while group 3 received ESWT at the first OPD visit. Visual analog scale pain score, Mayo elbow performance score (MEPS), and ultrasonographic examination were checked before, 6 weeks, and 12 weeks after the treatments. RESULTS: Overall functional scores and ultrasonographic findings in all three groups improved after treatment. The mean MEPS in group 2 improved more than groups 1 and 3 at 6 weeks (G1 56.9 > 62.4; G2 54.3 > 65.0; G3 55.7 > 62.6), and more than group 1 at 12 weeks (G1 56.9 > 67.9; G2 54.3 > 73.6). The mean common extensor tendon depth (CETD) on ultrasonography in group 2 increased more than groups 1 and 3 at 6 and 12 weeks (6 weeks G1 0.385 > 0.386; G2 0.332 > 0.392; G3 0.334 > 0.357; 12 weeks G1 0.385 > 0.409; G2 0.332 > 0.438; G3 0.334 > 0.405 cm). CONCLUSIONS: PDRN injections combined with EX exhibited a greater improvement in mean MEPS and mean CETD compared to EX only or EX combined with ESWT for LE within the 12 weeks follow-up.

Full text (sometimes free) may be available at these link(s):      help

• PubMed Central
• DOI
• PubMed
• PDF locator
• publisher