Background: Chronic recalcitrant lateral epicondylitis poses a therapeutic challenge. This study aimed to compare the efficacy of a single dose of Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) versus a single dose of steroid in the treatment of this condition.

Methods: A prospective comparative study was conducted on 92 patients with chronic lateral epicondylitis not responding to conservative management. Patients were randomized into PRP (46 subjects) and steroid injection groups (46 subjects) and followed for six months.

Results: The PRP group showed a significant reduction in Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) scores from baseline to six months (6.67 to 0.54; p < 0.001), compared to the steroid group (6.48 to 1.70; p < 0.001). Similarly, the Patient Related Tennis Elbow Evaluation (PRTEE) score in the PRP group improved significantly from baseline to six months (67.24 to 3.82; p < 0.001) versus the steroid group (64.54 to 14.74; p < 0.001).

Conclusion: Our findings suggest that PRP injections are more effective than steroid injections for pain reduction and functional improvement in patients with chronic recalcitrant lateral epicondylitis.