Clinical Efficacy of Platelet-Rich Plasma Injection Versus Corticosteroid Injection in the Treatment of Lateral Epicondylitis: A Randomised Controlled Trial at LUTH, Lagos

Lateral epicondylitis (tennis elbow) is a degenerative tendinopathy of the common extensor origin at the lateral humeral epicondyle, causing persistent elbow pain and functional limitation. Both corticosteroid injection and platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injection are used in its management, but comparative evidence from Nigerian clinical settings is absent. This randomised controlled trial compares the clinical efficacy of a single ultrasound-guided PRP injection with a single corticosteroid injection in the treatment of lateral epicondylitis at Lagos University Teaching Hospital, South West Nigeria. Sixty-four patients with clinically and ultrasonographically confirmed lateral epicondylitis will be randomised into two equal groups. Outcomes assessed at four weeks, three months, and six months will include pain intensity using the visual analogue scale (VAS), the Patient-Rated Tennis Elbow Evaluation (PRTEE) score, grip strength, and ultrasound-measured tendon thickness. The study hypothesises that PRP achieves superior long-term outcomes at six months while corticosteroid injection provides superior short-term pain relief. Adverse events and procedural tolerability will be documented. Findings will be published in a peer-reviewed sports medicine or orthopaedic journal and used to update the lateral epicondylitis management protocol at LUTH. Keywords: lateral epicondylitis, platelet-rich plasma, corticosteroid injection, PRTEE score, randomised controlled trial.