A randomised placebo-controlled trial of local steroid injection and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory tablets for the treatment of tennis elbow

Status

Active, not recruiting

Phases

Unknown

Study type

Interventional

Source

ISRCTN

Registry ID

ISRCTN34466933

Enrollment

164

Registered

2003-01-03

Start date

1995-11-01

Completion date

Unknown

Last updated

2015-01-13

For informational purposes only — not medical advice. Sourced from public registries and may not reflect the latest updates. Terms

Conditions

Tennis elbow Musculoskeletal Diseases Lateral epicondylitis (tennis elbow)

Interventions

1. Methyl prednisolone (20 mg) and lignocaine by local injection 2. Naproxen 500 mg bd for 2 weeks versus placebo tablets

Eligibility

Inclusion criteria

Inclusion criteria: Consecutive patients aged 18-70 years who consulted their GP with a new episode of lateral epicondylitis (pain and tenderness in the lateral region of the elbow and no consultation with symptoms in the same elbow in the preceding 12 months) during November 1995 to December 1997.

Exclusion criteria

Exclusion criteria: 1. History of inflammatory arthritis or gross structural abnormality of the elbow 2. Contraindications to non-steroidal anti-inflammatories or local steroid injection 3. Pregnancy or breast feeding

Design outcomes

Primary

Measure	Time frame
Participants' global assessment of improvement (5-point scale) at 4 weeks.	—

Secondary

Measure	Time frame
1. Pain severity 2. Impairment of function 3. Severity of main complaint 4. Disability 5. Grip strength 6. Local tenderness 7. Co-interventions 8. Time off paid employment	—

Countries

United Kingdom

Outcome results

None listed

Source: ISRCTN (via WHO ICTRP) · Data processed: Feb 4, 2026