A comparative study between transcutaneous pulsed radiofrequency and corticosteroid injections in the management of pain in lateral epicondylitis

Background Transcutaneous pulsed radiofrequency (PRF) therapy is a painless, noninvasive procedure that does not involve anesthesia, sedation, or recuperation. Steroids work to reduce inflammation. They prevent angiogenesis, granulation tissue development, and fibroblast proliferation. Aim This work aimed to compare transcutaneous PRF and corticosteroid injections in the management of pain severity, forearm pain, functional disability, and patient capability to perform daily activities in patients with lateral epicondylitis (LE). Patients and methods This open-label, randomized controlled study involved 70 patients, all between 18 and 65 years of age, both male and female, with symptomatic LE. Two patient groups were established, one being designated as group I: underwent transcutaneous PRF at the affected elbow, and group Ⅱ: received intraarticular injections of methylprednisolone (40 mg/ml) with local anesthesia at the point with utmost tenderness in the LE area under aseptic conditions. Results Prior to and 2 weeks after treatment, there was no substantial difference between the two groups on the visual analog scale, patient-rated tennis elbow evaluation, quick disabilities of the arm, chair, and Thompson test. Group I demonstrated substantially reduced visual analog scale, patient-rated tennis elbow evaluation, quick disabilities of the arm, chair, and Thompson test at 4, 8, and 12 weeks compared to comparison group II ( P <0.05). Conclusions Transcutaneous PRF had a superiority in improving elbow function and reducing pain in comparison with corticosteroid injection in LE.