Comparing autologous blood, corticosteroid, and a combined injection of both for treating lateral epicondylitis: a randomized clinical trial.

BACKGROUND: Because lateral epicondylitis is a common musculoskeletal disorder that affects the forearm's extensor tendons, an effective therapeutic approach should reverse the degeneration and promote regeneration. This study aimed to compare the efficacies of autologous blood (AB) injection, corticosteroid (CS) injection, and a combined injection of both in treating lateral epicondylitis (LE), hypothesizing that the combined approach might offer immediate symptom resolution and a lower recurrence. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 120 patients diagnosed with lateral epicondylitis were systematically distributed among three distinct therapeutic injection groups. Those in the AB group were administered 1 ml of autologous venous blood mixed with 2 ml of 2% prilocaine HCl. Participants in the CS category were given 1 ml of 40 mg methylprednisolone acetate mixed with 2 ml of 2% prilocaine HCl. Meanwhile, patients in the combined group received a mixture containing 1 ml each of autologous venous blood and 40 mg methylprednisolone acetate along with 1 ml of 2% prilocaine HCl. Prior to receiving their respective injections, a comprehensive assessment of all participants was carried out. Follow-up assessments were subsequently conducted on days 15, 30, and 90 utilizing metrics of the patient-rated tennis elbow evaluation (PRTEE) and measurements of hand grip strength (HGS). RESULTS: One patient dropped out from the combined group, and 119 patients completed the trial. No complications were recorded during the course of follow-up. By day 15, all groups had demonstrated significant PRTEE improvement, with CS showing the most pronounced reduction (p = 0.001). However, the benefits of CS had deteriorated by day 30 and had deteriorated further by day 90. The AB and AB + CS groups demonstrated sustained improvement, with AB + CS revealing the most effective treatment, achieving a clinically significant improvement in 97.4% of the patients. The improved HGS parallelled the functional enhancements, as it was more substantial in the AB and AB + CS groups (p = 0.001), corroborating the sustained benefits of these treatments. CONCLUSIONS: The study concluded that while AB and CS individually offer distinct benefits, a combined AB + CS approach optimizes therapeutic outcomes, providing swift and sustained functional improvement with a lower recurrence rate. These findings have substantial clinical implications, suggesting a balanced, multimodal treatment strategy for enhanced patient recovery in LE. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Randomized clinical trial, level 1 evidence. TRIAL REGISTRATION: NCT06236178.

Ultrasonographic approach for a foot ganglion after sewing masks in the COVID-19 pandemic: Blessing in disguise.

BACKGROUND: During the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic, people volunteered for sewing hand-made face masks. However, sewing-machine operating might be associated with high ergonomic risk and a negative impact on musculoskeletal health. OBJECTIVE AND METHODS: This paper describes an ultrasonographic diagnosis of a foot ganglion - after sewing 300 face masks within two months using a foot-operated sewing machine. RESULTS: The patient significantly improved after an ultrasound-guided aspiration and corticosteroid injection. CONCLUSION: In short, we highlight the importance of ultrasound examination in the management of work (overuse)-related disorders in occupational medicine practice.

Treatment of simple bone cyst with bone marrow concentrate and equine-derived demineralized bone matrix injection versus methylprednisolone acetate injections: A retrospective comparative study.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to compare the outcome of intra-lesional autologous bone marrow concentrate (BMC) and equine derived demineralized bone matrix (EDDBM) injections with methylprednisolone acetate injections in patients with simple bone cyst. METHODS: Clinical records and radiographs of 53 consecutive patients (37 females,and 16 males; mean age: 10.6±1.53 years) treated between 2006 and 2016 were retrospectively reviewed. Healing was assessed by an independent radiologist according to Neer scoring system. Functional outcome was assessed with the Activity Scale for Kids (ASK). Thirty-four cysts were in the humerus, 13 in the femur and 6 in other locations. Twenty-nine patients were included in Steroid Group and treated with 3 cycles of injections of methylprednisolone acetate, while 24 patients were treated with injection of autologous bone marrow concentrate and equine derived demineralized bone matrix (BMC+ EDDBM Group). The two groups were homogenous for the mean age, sex distribution, cysts location and their clinical presentation. RESULTS: At a minimum follow-up of 24 months, success rate (Neer/Cole score 3 and 4) was higher in EDDBM+BMC group (83.3% vs 58.6%; p=0.047). Female patients had higher healing rates in both groups (p=0.002). No association was found between healing and age (p=0.839), cyst activity (p=0.599), cyst localization (p=0.099) and clinical presentation (p=0.207). BMC+EDDBM group showed higher ASK score (p=0.0007). CONCLUSION: Treatment with BMC+EDDBM injections may provide better results with a single procedure than 3 methylprednisolone acetate injections and represent an interesting alternative for the treatment of unicameral bone cysts. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level III, Therapeutic Study.

Comparative functional outcomes of patients with adhesive capsulitis receiving intra-articular versus sub-acromial steroid injections: case-control study.

PURPOSE: This is a prospective case-control study comparing short- and medium-term outcomes between sub-acromial and gleno-humeral corticosteroid injections in adhesive capsulitis. METHODS: The study population consisted of 105 patients (33 males, 72 females; mean age, 56.1 years). They were divided into three groups: (1) patients receiving 40 mg of methylprednisolone acetate as intra-articular injection (n = 35) followed by physical therapy; (2) patients receiving 40 mg of methylprednisolone acetate as sub-acromial injection (n = 35) followed by physical therapy; (3) patients receiving only physical therapy (heat, passive stretching exercises and wall climbing) and no injections (n = 35). Functional outcome scores (Constant shoulder score and Shoulder Pain and Disability Index), visual analogue scale for pain and range of motion of shoulder joint were noted at 3, 6 and 12 weeks and 6 months. RESULTS: There was a statistically significant improvement in VAS scores in group 1 and 2 at 3, 6, 12 weeks and 6 months compared to that before the injections. There was no statistically significant improvement in the group 3 at 3 and 6 weeks, but improvement was noticed at 12 weeks and 6 months. There was no statistically significant difference in VAS, CS score, SPADI and ROM between groups 1 and 2 at 3, 6, 12 weeks and 6 months. These scores were significantly better in group 1 and 2 compared to group 3 at 3, 6, 12, weeks and 6 months. CONCLUSIONS: Corticosteroid injections into the sub-acromial space and into the gleno-humeral joint produce similar results in terms of pain relief and improvement in function in patients with adhesive capsulitis.

Retrospective Study on the Effects of Long-Term Use of Methylprednisolone Acetate on the Blood Work of 25 Cats.

Twenty-five cats at a private animal sanctuary received multiple nonimmunosuppressive doses of parenteral methylprednisolone acetate for at least 3 yr. Complete blood count, chemistry, and T4 results from these cats were examined to look for statistically significant changes. Results found significant changes in triglycerides, amylase, and monocytes. However, these changes remained within the reference interval. All other values showed no significant changes. These results suggest that after 3 yr of chronic parenteral administration of nonimmunosuppressive doses of methylprednisolone acetate, the complete blood count, chemistry, and T4 values in 25 cats were not significantly affected and did not result in abnormal laboratory values.

Efficacy of Intralesional Steroid Injection in Small Benign Vocal Fold Lesions.

OBJECTIVES: The present study was conducted to study the efficacy of intralesional steroid (ILS) injection in small benign vocal fold lesions and compare the outcomes with microlaryngeal surgery in terms of improvement in symptoms and reduction in lesion size. METHODS: The current randomized control trial was conducted in the Department of Otolaryngology at the Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research in Chandigarh between 2014 and 2015. The clinical diagnosis was based on appearance of the lesion during endoscopy and the mucosal vibration pattern. Subjects with lesions of size less than or equal to 5 mm were included. RESULTS: A total of 29 subjects were included in the study and 15 (nine men and six women) of them were randomized to receive ILS injection. Fourteen (13 men and one woman) were randomized to the second group to receive initial microlaryngeal surgery. We noted significant reduction in the size of the lesion among subjects undergoing ILS injection at 12 weeks (1.11 + 1.45 mm) as compared to baseline (2.63 + 1.28 mm) with no recurrence. CONCLUSIONS: ILSs are effective in reducing size of lesion and also improve acoustic parameters, perceptual analysis, and grade of dysphonia in patients presenting with small benign vocal cord lesions.

TREATMENT OF UNICAMERAL BONE CYSTS IN CHILDREN: A COMPARATIVE STUDY.

Unicameral bone cysts (UBC) are benign bone tumor-like lesions. Mostly they are located in the metaphyseal-diaphyseal region of long bones in children and adolescents. The etiology of UBC is still unclear. There is no consensus about the protocol of UBC treatment. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of three different techniques for the treatment of UBC. This study included 129 pediatric patients with UBC treated at University Children's Hospital in Belgrade during the 8-year period. The mean follow up was 7.14 years. The following parameters were observed: gender, age, site, length of cyst, cyst index, cortical thickness, presentation of pathologic fracture, healing of cyst, treatment complications and length of hospitalization. These parameters were correlated to three treatment modalities, i.e. intracystic methylprednisolone acetate injection (group 1), curettage with bone grafting (group 2) and osteoinductive procedure using demineralized bone matrix (group 3). We found statistically significant differences in healing of the cysts and length of hospital treatment between groups 1 and 2, and between groups 2 and 3. In conclusion, complete healing of UBC can be achieved only using open surgery procedure. Intracystic methylprednisolone acetate instillation can be considered a good option for initial treatment of UBC.

Impact of local steroid application on dysphagia following an anterior cervical discectomy and fusion: results of a prospective, randomized single-blind trial.

OBJECTIVE Intraoperative local steroid application has been theorized to reduce swelling and improve swallowing in the immediate period following anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF). Therefore, the purpose of this study was to quantify the impact of intraoperative local steroid application on patient-reported swallow function and swelling after ACDF. METHODS A prospective, randomized single-blind controlled trial was conducted. A priori power analysis determined that 104 subjects were needed to detect an 8-point difference in the Quality of Life in Swallowing Disorders (SWAL-QOL) questionnaire score. One hundred four patients undergoing 1- to 3-level ACDF procedures for degenerative spinal pathology were randomized to Depo-Medrol (DEPO) or no Depo-Medrol (NODEPO) cohorts. Prior to surgical closure, patients received 1 ml of either Depo-Medrol (DEPO) or saline (NODEPO) applied to a Gelfoam carrier at the surgical site. Patients were blinded to the application of steroid or saline following surgery. The SWAL-QOL questionnaire was administered both pre- and postoperatively. A ratio of the prevertebral swelling distance to the anteroposterior diameter of each vertebral body level was calculated at the involved levels ± 1 level by using pre- and postoperative lateral radiographs. The ratios of all levels were averaged and multiplied by 100 to obtain a swelling index. An air index was calculated in the same manner but using the tracheal air window diameter in place of the prevertebral swelling distance. Statistical analysis was performed using the Student t-test and chi-square analysis. Statistical significance was set at p < 0.05. RESULTS Of the 104 patients, 55 (52.9%) were randomized to the DEPO cohort and 49 (47.1%) to the NODEPO group. No differences in baseline patient demographics or preoperative characteristics were demonstrated between the two cohorts. Similarly, estimated blood loss and length of hospitalization did not differ between the cohorts. Neither was there a difference in the mean change in the scaled total SWAL-QOL score, swelling index, and air index between the groups at any time point. Furthermore, no complications were observed in either group (retropharyngeal abscess or esophageal perforation). CONCLUSIONS The results of this prospective, randomized single-blind study did not demonstrate an impact of local intraoperative steroid application on patient-reported swallowing function or swelling following ACDF. Neither did the administration of Depo-Medrol lead to an earlier hospital discharge than that in the NODEPO cohort. These results suggest that intraoperative local steroid administration may not provide an additional benefit to patients undergoing ACDF procedures. ■ CLASSIFICATION OF EVIDENCE Type of question: therapeutic; study design: randomized controlled trial; evidence: Class I. Clinical trial registration no.: NCT03311425 (clinicaltrials.gov).