Magnetic resonance imaging and clinically controlled improvement of a combined autologous conditioned plasma combined with rh collagen type I injections in lateral epicondylitis

The purpose of the study was to investigate the effect of combined autologous conditioned plasma and recombinant human collagen type I injections on lateral epicondylitis. Outcome was measured in 5 patients before the single application of ACP+rhCollagen type I (Arthrex ACP (R) Tendo) and after 10.60 +/- 3.58wks by means of (i) the Visual Analogue Scale for pain, (ii) range of motion for wrist extension/flexion as well as supination/pronation, and (iii) MRI-scans. VAS-scores significantly decreased from 6.40 +/- 1.14 at baseline to 1.80 +/- 2.49 at follow-up, and the effect was very large (p=0.04, dz=2.22). In addition, range of motion either improved or remained unrestricted, and MRI-scans showed healing of the extensor carpi radialis brevis tendon in most cases. A combined ACP+rhCollageninjection successfully reduces pain in lateral epicondylitis. Due to the small sample size, however, these promising preliminary results need further investigation in future research.

Automated summary

The study found that combined autologous conditioned plasma and recombinant human collagen type I injections have a significant therapeutic effect on lateral epicondylitis, reducing pain and promoting tendon healing. However, further large-scale studies are needed to confirm these promising results.