A study of local corticosteroid injection versus dry needling in Lateral Epicondylitis (LE)

Introduction: Lateral epicondylitis (LE) is an inflammation or micro-tearing of the tendons that join the forearm muscles on the lateral aspect of the elbow. The first line treatment for LE is topical and oral anti-inflammatory drugs from ice applications and brace used. If the first line treatment fails second line treatment generally invasive are offered and second-line therapeutic regimens include saline, corticosteroid or platelet-rich plasma injections. Dry needling is relatively new for treating the same. We hypothesized that dry needling would be as effective as second-line treatment for LE. The aim of this study was to compare the outcomes of second-line treatment local steroids and dry needling. Methods: In this study a total of 42 patients, clinically diagnosed with LE utilizing provocative tests and point tenderness at the insertion of the ECRB at the lateral epicondyle to compare the outcomes of second-line treatment local steroids and dry needling. Results: In group A (DN group), the mean PRTEE score before the start of therapy, at the 4 th week and 8-weeks follow-up was 68.96±6.89, 44.13±5.23 and 37.18±5.81 respectively. In group B (corticosteroid group), the mean PRTEE score before the injection, at the 4 th week and 8-weeks follow-up was 65.23±4.82, 51.08±6.32 and 43.72±4.12 respectively. Conclusion: Both the techniques have proven good results at defined intervals at regular follow ups. But as the PRTEE score we found both the treatment are equally effective. But due to less complications we preferred dry injection over local steroids. More Comparative studies should be conducted to compare dry needling with other treatment modalities.