The efficiency of prolotherapy in lateral epicondylitis

DOI: 10.4328/JCAM.5948 Received: 25.06.2018 Accepted: 26.07.2018 Published Online: 29.07.2018 Printed: 01.11.2018 J Clin Anal Med 2018;9(6): 548-51 Corresponding Author: Cuneyt Tamam, Private Practice, Hürriyet Mah. 1792 Sok. No: 1 Kat: 3 D: 6 Yenişehir, Mersin, Turkey. GSM: +905325998569 E-Mail: ctamam@yahoo.com ORCID ID: 0000-0001-6807-3300 Abstract Aim: Lateral epicondylitis, is an overuse syndrome of the forearm extensor muscles. In this study, we aimed to investigate the effect of prolotherapy in patients with lateral epicondylitis in terms of pain, and function. Material and Method: This retrospective study comprised 23 consecutive patients above 18 years of age, who were diagnosed as lateral epicondylitis. Demographic data, VAS and DASH score were derived from chart review. Results: Our findings revealed that prolotherapy treatment lead to statistically significant improvement in pain and function. Discussion: Prolotherapy has been proposed as a potential therapy for chronic tendinitis and believed to produce a controlled inflammatory response and to stimulate an adequate fibroblastic proliferation and connective tissue repair Pain reduction is also hypothesized to be related to the elimination of nerve fibers that are associated with neovessels or collagen fibril disruption and subsequent healing response. Discussion: Prolotherapy is a safe and effective alternative option for patients with refractory lateral epicondylitis.