Tennis Elbow Platelet-rich Plasma Injection Study (TEPIS)
Research type
Research Study
Full title
A Pilot Study of Platelet-rich Plasma (PRP) versus autologous whole blood versus saline in the treatment of resistant tennis elbow
IRAS ID
150292
Contact name
Cormac Kelly
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Robert Jones and Agnes Hunt Orthopaedic Hospital NHS Foundation Trust
Research summary
Tennis elbow is a common condition that causes lateral elbow pain. It is associated with repetitive activity at work and play and is thought to be caused by micro-tears in the tendons of the elbow. Although many cases resolve over a period of 3 months, either with or without non-surgical treatments such as rest, exercises and bracing, other treatments may be necessary such as corticosteroid injections or surgery.
In an autologous blood injection, blood is taken from the patient and re-injected around the affected tendon. Either whole blood can be injected, or a fragment known as platelet-rich plasma (PRP) can be separated from the red blood cells and injected. PRP contains a high level of growth factors which are thought to stimulate the healing process.
The primary aim of this study is to assess feasibility and guide the planning of a large multi-centre study to investigate both the clinical and cost effectiveness of PRP as a treatment for tennis elbow. Three treatment options will be investigated; an injection of either whole blood, PRP or saline using a technique called needle barbotage that disrupts tendon fibres and promotes the healing process. Patients will be allocated to one of the treatment groups at random.
Patients attending Robert Jones and Agnes Hunt Orthopaedic Hospital with symptoms of Tennis Elbow, and meeting the eligibility criteria, will be given the chance to take part in this study, which will last for one year. Assessments of pain and elbow function will be carried out at 6 weeks, 12 weeks, 6 months and 1 year.REC name
West Midlands - Solihull Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
14/WM/1063
Date of REC Opinion
22 Aug 2014
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion