Objective To compare the efficacy of local injection of autologous platelet-rich plasma and glucocorticoid in the treatment of lateral epicondylitis. Methods From January 2016 to March 2019, 64 patients with lateral epicondylitis were randomly divided into PRP group and control group, with 32 cases in each group. Visual analogue scale (VAS), Mayo elbow performance score (MEPS) and disabilities of the arm，shoulder and hand (DASH) score were used to compare the efficacy of each patient before treatment, and at 1, 3, 6 and 12 months after treatment. Result There was no significant difference in VAS score, MEPS score and DASH score between the two groups before treatment (P > 0.05). There were statistically significant differences in VAS score, MEPS score and DASH score between the two groups at 1, 3, 6 and 12 months after treatment (P < 0.05). Among them, VAS and DASH scores in PRP group were higher than those in the control group, and MEPS scores were lower than those in the control group at 1, 3 months after treatment, with statistically significant differences (P < 0.05). At 6 and 12 months after treatment, VAS and DASH scores in PRP group were lower than those in the control group, and MEPS scores were higher than those in the control group, with statistically significant differences (P < 0.01). Conclusion Local injection of autologous platelet-rich plasma and glucocorticoid in the early treatment of lateral epicondylitis can relieve pain and improve elbow function, while glucocorticoid treatment is gradually ineffective in the later period, and the effect of PRP treatment is gradually improved.