Introduction: Tendinopathies are primarily degenerative condition with the absence of inflammatory cells in and around the lesion. A variety of treatment modalities like eccentric exercises, shock-wave therapy have been tried in the past but none of it seems to be promising. Recently, platelet-rich plasma (PRP) addresses several aspects of the healing process and enhances tendon healing.

Materials and Methods: Prospective cohort study consisting of eighty patients with chronic tendinopathies (lateral and medial epicondilitis, plantar fasciitis, achilles tendinitis) were divided into two groups viz. Group A and group B of forty patients each. Group A received autologous platelet rich plasma (PRP) injection and group B received conservative management. Patients were followed up at 6th, 12th and 24th weeks after intervention and analyzed by Visual Analogue Scale (VAS).

Results: Mean VAS score decreased from 5.85 at start to 3.30 at 24th week follow-up in group A and from 5.40 at start to 5.30 at 24th week follow-up in group B. Statistically significant decrease in mean VAS scores have been observed in group A as compared to group B.

Conclusion: PRP is effective in short-term treatment of chronic tendenopathies. Lateral epicondilitis responds most to PRP whereas planter fasciitis responds least of all the tendenopathies studied.

Keywords: Platelet rich plasma, Lateral epicondilitis, chronic tendenopathy, plantar fasciitis, achilles tendinitis.

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Dr Utkrisht Mandot

M.S Ortho, Assistant Professor, Ananta Institute of Medical Science Udaipur, Rajasthan