Effects of Dextrose versus Corticosteroid Injection Guided by Ultrasound in Treatment of Lateral Epicondylitis

Background: One of the most common causes of elbow pain is lateral epicondylitis (LE). ultrasound (US) is diagnostic and therapeutic method.

Aim of the Work: The comparison between the effects of dextrose and corticosteroid injection guided by ultrasound in treatment of LE was the aim of this work.

Patients and Methods: This research was performed on 60 cases had chronic LE (local tenderness to palpation at lateral epicondyle and pain on resisted extension of middle finger or wrist) randomly classified into two equal groups depending on the treatment line, group A involved 30 cases subjected to2 injections of dextrose solution. Group B involved 30 cases treated by 2 injections with corticosteroid solution. Both groups were US guided. Patient evaluation at base line and after one month from last injection.

Results: In both groups, there was a significant improvement of the degree of tenderness, patient rated tennis elbow evaluation, visual analog scale and ultrasound changes, no significant improvement in group A more than group B.

Conclusion: Dextrose prolotherapy proved to be as effective as corticosteroid in chronic LE treatment.