Clinical trial: Comparison of Platelet Rich Plasma and Alternative Therapies for the Treatment of Tennis Elbow (Lateral Epicondylitis) (NCT01668953)

Eligibility criteria:
Inclusion Criteria:

          -  Adult man or woman aged 18 years or greater.

          -  Clinical diagnosis of lateral epicondylitis based on site of pain, pain elicited with
             active extension of the wrist in pronation and elbow extension.

          -  Documented sonographic diagnosis of common extensor tendinosis based on tendon
             thickening, areas of hypoechogenicity, and loss of the normal echotexture.

          -  Chronic symptoms (equal or greater than 3 months).

          -  Pain of at least 5 out of 10 on a visual analog scale (VAS).

          -  Provision of informed consent.

        Exclusion Criteria:

          -  Acute symptom onset (less than 2 months).

          -  History of acute elbow trauma (less than one week).

          -  History of rheumatoid arthritis.

          -  History of malignancy.

          -  Pregnancy

          -  Patients requiring anti-platelet medication for the treatment of heart attack, stroke
             or other medical condition.

          -  Previous surgery for lateral epicondylitis.

          -  Previous local injections, including steroids within the past 6 months.

          -  Signs of other causes for lateral elbow pain (posterior interosseous nerve entrapment,
             osteochondral lesion).
No condition on gender to be admitted to the trial.
No healthy subjects accepted to join the trial.
Subject must be at least 18 Years old.


Patient description (medical language): A 17-year-old male comes to the office due to several months of right elbow pain.  The pain is worse with activity and limits his workouts and activities.  He has tried over-the-counter medications with limited relief.  Medical history is notable for eczema, and current medications include a topical hydrocortisone ointment.  He is sexually active with his girlfriend and uses condoms. He does not smoke or drink alcohol. He plays tennis most of the days of the week. The comprehensive evaluation shows pain on the lateral side of the elbow, made worse by pressure applied on the lateral epicondyle of the humerus and when making a fist with the elbow joint straightened. The patient has this pain since last year and had several courses of physical therapy.

Patient description (patient's own words): I'm 17, and I had to go to the doctor because I've been suffering from my right elbow for several months. The pain is even worse when I do sports and it kind of limits me for my workouts and activities. I tried over-the-counter medications but it didn't work much. I had eczema before and my medication is ointments that contain cortisone. I am sexually active as a 17-year-old guy, and I have a girlfriend, and we use condoms. I don't smoke or drink. I play tennis most days of the week. I did an exam that showed pain on the side of my elbow and it was worse when they applied some pressure on it and when I was putting my hand as a fist. I have had this pain since last year, and I had several sessions of physical therapy already.

Does the patient match the trial criteria? 0