Efficacy of Prolotherapy on Pain and Disability in Patients with Lateral Epicondylitis: A Retrospective Cohort Study

Objective This study aims to examine and compare the effects of prolotherapy combined with exercise and exercise treatment alone on pain and functional status in individuals with lateral epicondylitis(LE). Methods This retrospective cohort study included participants with chronic LE who were treated with prolotherapy combined with exercise treatment and exercise treatment alone. The participants were evaluated at baseline, immediately after treatment, and at the first, third, and sixth month after treatment using the visual analog scale (VAS) for pain levels; the Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand Questionnaire (DASH); and its work module (DASH-work) for disability levels. Results A total of 20 participants were included in the exercise group (EG) and 19 in the prolotherapy with exercise group (PrEG). Disability levels, work-related disability, and pain levels significantly decreased over the follow-up period, irrespective of group allocation (DASH: p < 0.001, η ² = 0.56; DASH-work: p < 0.001, η ² = 0.46; VAS: p < 0.001, η ² = 0.64). There was a significant change in time by group interaction for DASH, DASH-work, and VAS scores ( p < 0.001) concerning PrEG and EG. Conclusions Prolotherapy combined with exercise was more effective in reducing pain and general/work-related disability levels compared to exercise treatment alone. In the short term, better pain control and functionality were seen with prolotherapy, and these effects were sustained during long-term follow-up.