Comparison of Single Injection of Autologous Blood Versus Steroid Injection in Terms of Change in Mean Pain Score in the Management of Tennis Elbow

Objectives: To evaluate the efficacy of autologous blood (AB) injection by comparing with corticosteroid (CS) injection in reducing pain associated with lateral epicondylitis (tennis elbow). Study Settings: This randomized controlled trial was conducted at the Department of Orthopaedics, Allied Hospital-II, Faisalabad. Duration of Study: October 2024 to March 2025. Data Collection: A total of 134 patients with tennis elbow were enrolled in the study and given trial of two techniques in equal group system. Group A was given AB injection, while CS injection in Group B cases. The severity of pain was evaluated and recorded with the help of Visual Analog Scale (VAS) at baseline and final at six months. Results: At baseline, the mean pain score in Group A was 7.21 ± 1.46, while in Group B, it was 7.29 ± 1.35 (p = 0.738), indicating comparable initial pain levels. At the final six-month follow-up, the mean pain score in Group A decreased to 0.96 ± 0.96, while in Group B, it was 1.59 ± 1.40 (p = 0.002), demonstrating a significantly greater pain reduction in the AB injection group. Conclusion: ABS injection is a superior treatment option for lateral epicondylitis compared to corticosteroid injection, providing greater and sustained pain relief over six months. Given its regenerative properties, AB injection should be considered a viable first-line treatment for patients seeking long-term improvement.