Patient Profile:
- Age: 42
- Gender: Male
- Occupation: Professional tennis player
- Medical History: Chronic tennis elbow for over 2 years, unresponsive to physical therapy and corticosteroid injections.
Treatment Process:
After a consultation and ultrasound imaging, the patient was diagnosed with lateral epicondylitis (tennis elbow) and recommended PRP therapy. The patient was prepared by discontinuing all NSAIDs for 14 days.
Blood was drawn, processed in a commercially available kit to concentrate the platelets, and injected into the injured tendons of the elbow under ultrasound guidance and local anesthesia via a peri-articular methodology.
The patient was advised to rest for two weeks post-treatment, avoid ice, and continue regular physical activity.
Outcomes:
- Initial Assessment (14 days): The patient reported a noticeable reduction in pain.
- Follow-up (32 days): The patient resumed light training, exhibiting improved grip strength, range of motion, and minimal discomfort.
- Follow-up (60 days): The patient was pain-free and fully recovered, with no further issues during play, and returned to professional matches.
Conclusion:
PRP therapy effectively reduced inflammation and promoted tendon healing, enabling the patient to return to professional play quickly. An annual booster program has been recommended.
