CompletedPhase 2

Efficacy of Injection Therapy for Lateral Epicondylosis

United States31 participantsStarted 2009-06

Plain-language summary

While evidence does not identify any conventional therapy as definitive for chronic lateral epicondylosis (CLE, tennis elbow), basic science and limited pilot level trials support rigorous assessment of prolotherapy (PrT) and platelet-rich plasma (PRP) as therapy for CLE. The proposed study will conduct a pilot RCT assessing 2 PrT solutions and PRP injections commonly used in the treatment of moderate-to-severe tennis elbow using clinical, biomechanical and radiological outcomes. Data from this study will support a future confirmatory study to find an effective treatment for moderate-to-severe tennis elbow. In support of this goal, the investigators propose the following research questions. Does PrT or PRP, compared to waitlist control: 1. improve pain- and function-dependent, CLE-specific quality of life among adults with CLE, as assessed by a validated questionnaire, the elbow-specific Patient-Rated Tennis Elbow Evaluation? 2. improve upper extremity performance among adults with CLE as assessed by a blinded assessor using elbow-specific, effort-dependent biomechanical measures of grip strength (pain-free and maximal), stiffness, effective mass and damping 3. improve the radiologic appearance of several pathologic features of CLE as evaluated using imaging studies of lateral elbow structures: ultrasound to assess a) neovascularity (color Doppler), b) hypoechogenicity (grayscale US), and c) tendon stiffness ("acousto-elastic strain gauge" technique) using standardized, 0-3 severity scales, and d) MRI to assess the overall common extensor tensor tendon disease severity using a standardized 0-3 scale? 4. provide satisfying treatment to subjects as assessed by a treatment satisfaction survey and a qualitative exit interview?

Who can participate

Age range

18 Years – 65 Years

Sex

ALL

See this in plain English?

AI-rewrites the medical criteria so a patient or caregiver can understand them. Always confirm with the trial site.

Inclusion criteria

. age 18-65 years
. diagnosis of CLE, confirmed by the PI using clinical symptoms and exam findings of tenderness over the lateral epicondyle and/or extensor tendon, and pain on 2 extensor muscle provocation tests
. self-reported CLE-related pain for at least 6 months
. self-reported failure of at least 2 of the 3 most common treatments for CLE (a course of NSAIDS, physical therapy or corticosteroid injections).

Exclusion criteria

. current bilateral CLE
. a corticosteroid injection in the prior 3 months or prior PrT or PRP for CLE

Questions worth asking your doctor

Bring these to your next appointment. They're a starting point for a shared conversation — not a sign you qualify or a recommendation to enrol.

1Based on my diagnosis and history, is this trial worth exploring for me — or is there a standard treatment we should try first?
2What does this trial's phase tell us about how much is already known about its safety and benefit?
3What would taking part actually involve for me — visits, tests, time, and travel?
4What are the known and possible risks or side effects I should weigh, and how would they be monitored?
5If this trial isn't the right fit, what other options or trials would you suggest I look into?

Generated to help you prepare — always confirm anything about your own eligibility and care with the study team and your doctor.

Questions for the trial coordinator

The trial coordinator is the person who runs the study day to day. These cover the practical side — logistics, costs, and what taking part would actually mean for your life. The study team confirms whether you meet the criteria; these are questions to ask, not a sign you qualify.

1What does taking part actually involve week to week — how many visits, where, and how long does each one take?
2What costs are covered by the study, and what might I have to pay for myself, including travel, parking, or time off work?
3What happens during screening, and what happens if the study team confirms I don't meet the criteria after those tests?
4Who pays for the scans, blood work, and other tests the trial requires — the study, my insurance, or me?
5How will being in the trial affect my regular care, and will my own doctor stay informed and involved?
6Can I leave the trial at any point if I change my mind, and what would happen to my care if I do?

A starting point for the conversation — always confirm anything about your own eligibility, costs, and care with the study team and your doctor.

What they're measuring

Patient rated tennis elbow evaluation (PRTEE)

Timeframe: 0, 16 and 32 weeks

Trial details

NCT IDNCT01476605

SponsorUniversity of Wisconsin, Madison

Sponsor typeOTHER

Study typeINTERVENTIONAL

Primary completion2011-11-01

View on ClinicalTrials.gov More Tennis Elbow trials