Relationship of cytokine levels and clinical effect on platelet‐rich plasma‐treated lateral epicondylitis

Lateral epicondylitis (LE) is difficult to manage and can result in significant patient morbidity. Currently, the clinical use of platelet‐rich plasma (PRP) for painful tendons has received attention, but its efficacy remains controversial. This study aimed to investigate the clinical effects of PRP and its biological components. A total of 156 patients with LE were randomly divided into group 1, treated with a single injection of 2‐ml autologous PRP, and group 2, treated with a control received only physical therapy without injection. Both groups used a tennis elbow strap and performed stretching and strengthening exercises during 24 weeks’ follow‐up. Pain and functional improvements were assessed using the visual analog scale (VAS), Modified Mayo Clinic Performance Index for the elbow, and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). White blood cell count, platelet count, and levels of platelet‐derived growth factor‐AB (PDGF‐AB), PDGF‐BB, transforming growth factor‐β (TGF‐β), vascular endothelial growth factor, epithelial growth factor, and interleukin‐1 β in PRP were measured and investigated for statistical correlation with the clinical score. At 24 weeks, all pain and functional variables, including VAS score, Mayo Clinic performance scores, and MRI grade, improved significantly in group 1 (p < 0.05). PDGF‐AB, PDGF‐BB, and TGF‐β levels were more significantly increased in PRP than in whole blood. TGF‐β level significantly correlated with Mayo Clinic performance score and MRI grade improvement. Thus, TGF‐β level in PRP is considered to play a pivotal role in tendon healing. These results may contribute to identifying the best protocol for PRP application in tendinopathies. © 2017 Orthopaedic Research Society. Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Orthop Res 36:913–920, 2018.