Leukocyte-Poor Platelet-Rich Plasma Reduces Pain Symptoms in the Treatment of the Lateral Epicondylitis
LET
Clinical and Morphological Evaluation Following Treatment of Lateral Epicondylar Tendinopathy with PRP or L-PRP,saline- Prospective Randomized Double Blinded Controlled Trial
2 other identifiers
interventional
72
1 country
1
Brief Summary
Lateral epicondylar tendinopathy (LET), or tennis elbow, is a degenerative condition affecting the forearm's extensor tendons. It commonly leads to pain, reduced grip strength, and impaired function, particularly in individuals performing repetitive wrist and forearm movements. Standard treatments, including physiotherapy, braces, and anti-inflammatory medications, provide relief but do not always lead to full recovery. Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) has gained interest as a regenerative therapy with the potential to enhance tendon healing and improve clinical outcomes. This randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial aims to evaluate PRP's effectiveness in treating LET, comparing it to leukocyte-rich PRP (L-PRP) and saline (placebo). Additionally, it assesses the composition of PRP and its role in tendon regeneration. The study will enroll 80 patients diagnosed with LET, meeting predefined clinical criteria. Participants will be randomized into three groups (PRP, L-PRP, saline) and receive two injections (day 0 and day 7). PRP will be prepared using a standardized protocol to ensure consistency. Patients will undergo clinical evaluations (VAS, Mayo Elbow Score, SECEC Elbow Score), grip strength testing, and MRI scans at baseline and 24 weeks post-treatment. The PRP composition will be analyzed in a laboratory. Follow-ups will be conducted at 12, 24, and 54 weeks to monitor pain reduction, functional improvement, and tendon healing. This study will provide critical insights into PRP's therapeutic potential, helping refine treatment approaches for LET and improve patient outcomes.
Trial Health
Trial Health Score
Automated assessment based on enrollment pace, timeline, and geographic reach
participants targeted
Target at P50-P75 for not_applicable
Started Jan 2017
Longer than P75 for not_applicable
1 active site
Health score is calculated from publicly available data and should be used for screening purposes only.
Trial Relationships
Click on a node to explore related trials.
Study Timeline
Key milestones and dates
Study Start
First participant enrolled
January 2, 2017
CompletedPrimary Completion
Last participant's last visit for primary outcome
February 10, 2024
CompletedStudy Completion
Last participant's last visit for all outcomes
March 10, 2024
CompletedFirst Submitted
Initial submission to the registry
January 13, 2025
CompletedFirst Posted
Study publicly available on registry
March 3, 2025
CompletedMarch 3, 2025
February 1, 2025
7.1 years
January 13, 2025
February 25, 2025
Conditions
Keywords
Outcome Measures
Primary Outcomes (3)
Improvement in Pain (VAS Score)
Description: This study aims to evaluate whether PRP reduces pain in patients with lateral epicondylar tendinopathy (LET). Assessment Tool: Visual Analog Scale (VAS) Scale: 0 to 10 (0 = no pain, 10 = worst possible pain) Higher scores indicate worse pain outcomes. Time Frame: 12 months
12 months
Grip Strength
Grip Strength: The study includes grip strength testing with isometric grip strenght measure BTE, which is a primary measure of functional improvement following treatment.
12 months
Improvement in Functional Outcomes (Oxford Elbow Score - OES)
Description: This study will assess whether PRP improves elbow function and daily activity performance in LET patients. Assessment Tool: Oxford Elbow Score (OES) Scale: 0 to 48 (0 = worst function/pain, 48 = best function/pain) Higher scores indicate better functional outcomes.
12 months
Other Outcomes (1)
Healing Process of Tendons
12 months
Study Arms (3)
Standardized PRP Injection
ACTIVE COMPARATORA standardized PRP preparation protocol (without commercial kits) is used, ensuring consistency in platelet concentration. Preparation Process: Blood Collection: 30 ml of venous blood drawn from each patient Centrifugation: 7 minutes at 2,054 g using MPV-223e centrifuge Separation: Blood fractionated into erythrocytes, leukocytes, PRP, and platelet-poor plasma PRP Isolation: Pure PRP extracted for injection Injection Procedure: 2 ml of PRP injected into the tendon pain area, with 1 ml retained for laboratory analysis
Standardized leukocyte-rich PRP (L-PRP)
ACTIVE COMPARATORA standardized leukocyte-rich PRP (L-PRP) preparation protocol (without commercial kits) is used to ensure consistency in platelet and leukocyte concentrations. Preparation Process: Blood Collection: 30 ml of venous blood drawn from each patient Centrifugation: 7 minutes at 2,054 g using MPV-223e centrifuge Separation: Blood fractionated into erythrocytes, leukocytes, PRP, and platelet-poor plasma L-PRP Isolation: Leukocyte-rich PRP extracted for injection Injection Procedure: 2 ml of L-PRP injected into the tendon pain area, with 1 ml retained for laboratory analysis
Saline Injection (Placebo Control)
ACTIVE COMPARATORA placebo control group receiving a standardized saline injection to evaluate the efficacy of PRP and L-PRP treatments. Procedure: Injection of 2 ml of sterile saline into the tendon pain area, following the same protocol as the PRP and L-PRP groups.
Interventions
The intervention involves the administration of PRP (platelet-rich plasma), L-PRP (leukocyte-rich platelet-rich plasma), and saline according to a protocol developed for patients with lateral epicondylitis (EPi lat). The intervention includes specific parameters such as centrifugation speed and dual injection to the painful site, which is repeated after one week. Following the procedure, treatment continues with a rehabilitation program, including the use of an orthosis. The orthosis serves as support during the recovery process after the injection. The rehabilitation program and the use of the orthosis aim to improve joint function and reduce pain, supporting tissue healing and regeneration.
Eligibility Criteria
You may qualify if:
- first-time diagnosis of chronic lateral epicondylitis with a duration of at least 1 month, age of 18 years or more, and signed informed consent to participate in the study
You may not qualify if:
- pregnancy, any previous treatment for the condition (including injections around the elbow, rehabilitation, or use of orthoses), previous surgical treatment of the elbow, other painful elbow conditions, co-existing upper limb and/or neck pain, prior elbow trauma or arthritic changes, posterior interosseous nerve (PIN) neuropathy, and systemic disorders
Contact the study team to confirm eligibility.
Sponsors & Collaborators
- Rehasport Cliniclead
Study Sites (1)
Rehasport
Poznan, Wielkopolska, Poland
Related Publications (17)
Kushida S, Kakudo N, Morimoto N, Hara T, Ogawa T, Mitsui T, Kusumoto K. Platelet and growth factor concentrations in activated platelet-rich plasma: a comparison of seven commercial separation systems. J Artif Organs. 2014 Jun;17(2):186-92. doi: 10.1007/s10047-014-0761-5. Epub 2014 Apr 20.
PMID: 24748436BACKGROUNDDohan Ehrenfest DM, Rasmusson L, Albrektsson T. Classification of platelet concentrates: from pure platelet-rich plasma (P-PRP) to leucocyte- and platelet-rich fibrin (L-PRF). Trends Biotechnol. 2009 Mar;27(3):158-67. doi: 10.1016/j.tibtech.2008.11.009. Epub 2009 Jan 31.
PMID: 19187989BACKGROUNDChaudhury S, de La Lama M, Adler RS, Gulotta LV, Skonieczki B, Chang A, Moley P, Cordasco F, Hannafin J, Fealy S. Platelet-rich plasma for the treatment of lateral epicondylitis: sonographic assessment of tendon morphology and vascularity (pilot study). Skeletal Radiol. 2013 Jan;42(1):91-7. doi: 10.1007/s00256-012-1518-y. Epub 2012 Sep 22.
PMID: 23001116BACKGROUNDFulginiti VA. A new pertussis vaccine: hope for the future? J Infect Dis. 1983 Jul;148(1):146-7. doi: 10.1093/infdis/148.1.146. No abstract available.
PMID: 6350485BACKGROUNDPalacio EP, Schiavetti RR, Kanematsu M, Ikeda TM, Mizobuchi RR, Galbiatti JA. Effects of platelet-rich plasma on lateral epicondylitis of the elbow: prospective randomized controlled trial. Rev Bras Ortop. 2016 Jan 13;51(1):90-5. doi: 10.1016/j.rboe.2015.03.014. eCollection 2016 Jan-Feb.
PMID: 26962506BACKGROUNDDronamraju KR. The origins of human gene mapping. With particular reference to the contributions of J. B. S. Haldane. Genomics. 1987 Nov;1(3):270-6. doi: 10.1016/0888-7543(87)90054-1.
PMID: 3328738BACKGROUNDYadav R, Kothari SY, Borah D. Comparison of Local Injection of Platelet Rich Plasma and Corticosteroids in the Treatment of Lateral Epicondylitis of Humerus. J Clin Diagn Res. 2015 Jul;9(7):RC05-7. doi: 10.7860/JCDR/2015/14087.6213. Epub 2015 Jul 1.
PMID: 26393174BACKGROUNDGautam VK, Verma S, Batra S, Bhatnagar N, Arora S. Platelet-rich plasma versus corticosteroid injection for recalcitrant lateral epicondylitis: clinical and ultrasonographic evaluation. J Orthop Surg (Hong Kong). 2015 Apr;23(1):1-5. doi: 10.1177/230949901502300101.
PMID: 25920633BACKGROUNDItaliano JE Jr, Richardson JL, Patel-Hett S, Battinelli E, Zaslavsky A, Short S, Ryeom S, Folkman J, Klement GL. Angiogenesis is regulated by a novel mechanism: pro- and antiangiogenic proteins are organized into separate platelet alpha granules and differentially released. Blood. 2008 Feb 1;111(3):1227-33. doi: 10.1182/blood-2007-09-113837. Epub 2007 Oct 25.
PMID: 17962514BACKGROUNDEl-Sharkawy H, Kantarci A, Deady J, Hasturk H, Liu H, Alshahat M, Van Dyke TE. Platelet-rich plasma: growth factors and pro- and anti-inflammatory properties. J Periodontol. 2007 Apr;78(4):661-9. doi: 10.1902/jop.2007.060302.
PMID: 17397313BACKGROUNDCieslik-Bielecka A, Gazdzik TS, Bielecki TM, Cieslik T. Why the platelet-rich gel has antimicrobial activity? Oral Surg Oral Med Oral Pathol Oral Radiol Endod. 2007 Mar;103(3):303-5; author reply 305-6. doi: 10.1016/j.tripleo.2006.08.034. Epub 2007 Jan 2. No abstract available.
PMID: 17197209BACKGROUNDFilardo G, Kon E, Di Matteo B, Di Martino A, Tesei G, Pelotti P, Cenacchi A, Marcacci M. Platelet-rich plasma injections for the treatment of refractory Achilles tendinopathy: results at 4 years. Blood Transfus. 2014 Oct;12(4):533-40. doi: 10.2450/2014.0289-13. Epub 2014 Jun 19.
PMID: 24960641BACKGROUNDDohan Ehrenfest DM, Andia I, Zumstein MA, Zhang CQ, Pinto NR, Bielecki T. Classification of platelet concentrates (Platelet-Rich Plasma-PRP, Platelet-Rich Fibrin-PRF) for topical and infiltrative use in orthopedic and sports medicine: current consensus, clinical implications and perspectives. Muscles Ligaments Tendons J. 2014 May 8;4(1):3-9. eCollection 2014 Jan.
PMID: 24932440BACKGROUNDBaksh N, Hannon CP, Murawski CD, Smyth NA, Kennedy JG. Platelet-rich plasma in tendon models: a systematic review of basic science literature. Arthroscopy. 2013 Mar;29(3):596-607. doi: 10.1016/j.arthro.2012.10.025. Epub 2013 Jan 24.
PMID: 23352397BACKGROUNDMazzocca AD, McCarthy MB, Chowaniec DM, Dugdale EM, Hansen D, Cote MP, Bradley JP, Romeo AA, Arciero RA, Beitzel K. The positive effects of different platelet-rich plasma methods on human muscle, bone, and tendon cells. Am J Sports Med. 2012 Aug;40(8):1742-9. doi: 10.1177/0363546512452713. Epub 2012 Jul 16.
PMID: 22802273BACKGROUNDGosens T, Peerbooms JC, van Laar W, den Oudsten BL. Ongoing positive effect of platelet-rich plasma versus corticosteroid injection in lateral epicondylitis: a double-blind randomized controlled trial with 2-year follow-up. Am J Sports Med. 2011 Jun;39(6):1200-8. doi: 10.1177/0363546510397173. Epub 2011 Mar 21.
PMID: 21422467BACKGROUNDWalecka J, Bakowski P, Jokiel M, Trabka R, Chaszczewska-Markowska M, Ghete D, Gurda-Wozna D, Fedoruk-Wyszomirska A, Lubiatowski P, Wyszko E, Tyczewska A, Bakowska-Zywicka K. Molecular background behind lateral elbow pain reduction with Leukocyte-Rich and Leukocyte-Poor Platelet-Rich Plasma-randomized control trial and single-cell platelet analysis. Int Orthop. 2026 Jan 24. doi: 10.1007/s00264-025-06719-6. Online ahead of print.
PMID: 41579194DERIVED
MeSH Terms
Conditions
Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)
Study Officials
- PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
Joanna Walecka, MD, PhD
Rehasport Clinic
- STUDY DIRECTOR
Przemyslaw Lubiatowski, MD, Phd,
Rehasport Clinic
Study Design
- Study Type
- interventional
- Phase
- not applicable
- Allocation
- RANDOMIZED
- Masking
- DOUBLE
- Who Masked
- PARTICIPANT, CARE PROVIDER
- Purpose
- TREATMENT
- Intervention Model
- PARALLEL
- Sponsor Type
- OTHER
- Responsible Party
- SPONSOR
Study Record Dates
First Submitted
January 13, 2025
First Posted
March 3, 2025
Study Start
January 2, 2017
Primary Completion
February 10, 2024
Study Completion
March 10, 2024
Last Updated
March 3, 2025
Record last verified: 2025-02
Data Sharing
- IPD Sharing
- Will not share