1.
The effects of inclusion of minimal-dose corticosteroid in autologous whole blood and dextrose injection for the treatment of lateral epicondylitis
Lee SH, Choi HH, Chang MC
Journal of back and musculoskeletal rehabilitation. 2021
Abstract
BACKGOUND Lateral epicondylitis (LE) is one of the most common musculoskeletal disorders that causes pain. OBJECTIVES We evaluated the effect of the inclusion of a minimal dose of corticosteroid in a solution comprising autologous whole blood (AWB), 20% dextrose, and 2% lidocaine for treating LE. METHODS In this randomized prospective trial LE patients were allocated to the CS+ group (n= 70; solution comprising 1 mL AWB, 1 mL 20% dextrose, 0.4 mL 2% lidocaine, and 0.1 mL (0.4 mg) dexamethasone palmitate; injected into the common wrist extensor tendon) or the CS- group (n= 70; same solution as above but without dexamethasone palmitate). Five injections were administered at monthly intervals. At each visit, pain intensity was evaluated using the numeric rating scale (NRS), and grip strength was measured using a hand-grip dynamometer. RESULTS In the CS+ and CS- groups, 1 and 10 patients dropped out, respectively. In both groups, the NRS scores at each evaluation were significantly lower than the pretreatment scores. The NRS scores from pretreatment to the second and third visits were significantly lower in the CS+ group than those in the CS- group. However, at the fourth and fifth visits, and 6 months after the last injection (the sixth visit), the degree of pain reduction between the groups was not significantly different. Grip strength increased significantly over time in both groups. At each evaluation, grip strength was significantly higher than that at the pretreatment stage. However, the degree of increase was not significantly different between groups. CONCLUSIONS The inclusion of a minimal dose of corticosteroid in the AWB and 20% dextrose injection can reduce pain, especially during early treatment.
2.
The Effect of Intradiscal Platelet-Rich Plasma Injection for Management of Discogenic Lower Back Pain: A Meta-Analysis
Chang MC, Park D
Journal of pain research. 2021;14:505-512
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Although several researches of animal and human subjects have yielded promising results regarding intradiscal injection of platelet-rich plasma (PRP) for the management of intervertebral disc (IVD) pathologies, small sample sizes and unstandardized graft preparation procedures hampered these research efforts. Therefore, we conducted a meta-analysis to evaluate the effectiveness of intradiscal PRP injection for the treatment of discogenic lower back pain. METHODS The PubMed, SCOPUS, Embase, and Cochrane Library databases were systematically searched for relevant studies published from January 01, 1980 to December 14, 2020. The keywords used for the search were (platelet-rich plasma) AND (intradiscal OR back pain OR lumbar spine OR discogenic). Filters were used to select studies with human participants; all study designs were included. RESULTS After the systematic review, three articles, including one randomized control trial and two prospective observational studies, were included in the final analysis. Analysis of changes in visual analogue scale (VAS) scores showed that VAS scores were significantly reduced two and six months after intradiscal PRP injection (two months: standardized mean difference [SMD] = -0.837, 95% CI = -1.158 to -0.516, P < 0.001; six months: SMD = -1.430, 95% CI = -2.209 to -0.652, P < 0.001), but not after one month (SMD = -0.661, 95% CI = -1.346 to 0.023, P = 0.058). Regarding changes in Owestry Disability Index (ODI), ODI scores were significantly reduced after six months (SMD = -0.964, 95% CI = -1.885 to -0.043, P = 0.040). CONCLUSION Intradiscal PRP injections are effective in relieving pain and improving disabilities caused by discogenic lower back pain. However, the pain-reducing effect significantly manifests two or six months after the injections, but not after one month.
3.
Comparison of ultrasound-guided platelet-rich plasma injection and conventional physical therapy for management of adhesive capsulitis: a randomized trial
Thu AC, Kwak SG, Shein WN, Htun M, Htwe TTH, Chang MC
The Journal of international medical research. 2020;48(12):300060520976032
Abstract
OBJECTIVE We evaluated the effect of ultrasound (US)-guided injection of platelet-rich plasma (PRP) into the shoulder joint in patients with adhesive capsulitis (AC) and compared its effect with that of conventional physiotherapy (CPT). METHODS Sixty-four subjects with AC were included and randomly allocated into two groups, as follows: PRP (n=32; intra-articular [IA] PRP [4 mL] was injected); and CPT (n=32; short wave diathermy and exercise therapy were performed at three sessions/week for 6 weeks). Treatment outcomes evaluated therapeutic effectiveness before and at 1, 3, and 6 weeks after PRP injection and CPT initiation. RESULTS Subjects in both groups showed a significant decrease in the visual analogue scale score for pain and shoulder and hand scores, and they a significant increase in shoulder passive range of motion at all evaluation time points. There was no significant difference in the measured outcomes between the two groups. However, there was less acetaminophen consumption after IA PRP injection compared with that after CPT. CONCLUSIONS IA PRP injection is a useful option for treating patients with AC, particularly those who have low therapeutic compliance for exercise therapy or have contraindications for corticosteroid injection or oral pain reduction medication.