Persistent elbow pain can make everyday activities such as lifting, gripping and using a computer uncomfortable. If symptoms have not improved with conservative treatment, you may have come across PRP for tennis elbow or golfer’s elbow.
Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) is a treatment prepared from your own blood. It contains a concentrated number of platelets and other components involved in the body’s normal healing processes.
At Alton Pain Clinic, ultrasound-guided PRP injections can be considered for suitable patients with elbow tendon problems following an individual assessment.
What Are Tennis Elbow and Golfer's Elbow?
Although their names are associated with sport, both conditions can affect people who have never played tennis or golf.
Tennis elbow affects the tendons on the outside of the elbow and is commonly associated with repetitive wrist and forearm movements.
Golfer’s elbow affects the tendons on the inside of the elbow and can also develop following repetitive gripping, lifting or forearm activity.
Both conditions can cause pain and tenderness around the elbow, particularly during gripping or movements involving the wrist.
What Is PRP?
PRP stands for platelet-rich plasma.
A small sample of your blood is taken and processed to concentrate the platelets. The resulting preparation is then injected into the affected area.
Platelets contain growth factors and other signalling proteins involved in tissue repair. This is why PRP has been investigated as a treatment for tendon conditions.
Potential Benefits of PRP for Tennis Elbow
PRP may offer several potential advantages when it is considered appropriate:
1. It Uses Your Own Blood
PRP is prepared from your own blood rather than being a manufactured drug.
2. It Is Minimally Invasive
PRP treatment involves an injection rather than surgery. It can therefore be considered as a minimally invasive treatment option in appropriate patients.
3. It Can Be Precisely Targeted
At Alton Pain Clinic, ultrasound guidance can be used to visualise the affected tendon and guide the injection.
This allows the clinician to see the relevant anatomy in real time while performing the procedure.
4. It May Support the Local Healing Response
PRP has been investigated because platelets contain biological substances involved in tissue repair.
However, it is important to distinguish the proposed mechanism from proven clinical outcomes. Research has not established that PRP consistently improves tennis elbow for everyone.
5. It May Be Considered When Symptoms Persist
PRP may be discussed when symptoms have continued despite approaches such as activity modification, rehabilitation or other conservative treatments.
Potential Benefits of PRP for Golfer's Elbow
Golfer’s elbow is a form of medial elbow tendinopathy. Like tennis elbow, it can become persistent and interfere with work, exercise and everyday activities.
PRP has also been used for tendon conditions affecting the inner elbow.
However, evidence for PRP varies between tendon conditions and individual patients. A clinical assessment is therefore important before deciding whether treatment is appropriate.
What Happens During a PRP Injection?
Your clinician will first assess your elbow and discuss your symptoms.
If PRP is considered appropriate:
- A small amount of blood is taken from your arm.
- The blood is processed to prepare the PRP.
- The affected tendon is identified.
- Ultrasound guidance can be used to guide the injection.
- You will receive aftercare and activity advice.
How Long Does PRP Take to Work?
PRP is not expected to provide immediate relief in the same way as a local anaesthetic.
Some people experience soreness after the injection. If improvement occurs, it can develop gradually over the following weeks.
Your clinician will provide individual advice based on your condition and treatment plan.
PRP vs Cortisone for Tennis Elbow
PRP and corticosteroid injections work differently.
Corticosteroids are anti-inflammatory medicines and may provide relatively rapid symptom relief in appropriate cases.
PRP is intended to influence the local healing response and has been investigated as a longer-term treatment approach.
Research comparing the two has produced different findings depending on the follow-up period and outcome measured.
Neither treatment is appropriate for every patient, so your clinician should discuss the options with you.
Why Choose Alton Pain Clinic?
Alton Pain Clinic provides assessment and treatment for a range of musculoskeletal conditions.
Our approach includes clinical assessment and ultrasound imaging, with ultrasound-guided injections where appropriate. This allows treatment to be planned around your individual symptoms and findings.
Discuss Your Elbow Pain With Our Clinicians
If persistent tennis or golfer’s elbow is affecting your daily activities, an assessment can help determine the cause of your symptoms and whether injection treatment may be appropriate.
Alton Pain Clinic provides personalised musculoskeletal care and ultrasound-guided injection treatments in Alton, Hampshire.
This article is intended for informational purposes only and should not replace professional medical advice. If you are experiencing persistent symptoms, please consult a qualified clinician.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can PRP help tennis elbow?
PRP may help some people, but current evidence is mixed and does not demonstrate a consistent benefit over placebo.
What are the main benefits of PRP?
Potential advantages include its minimally invasive nature, use of the patient’s own blood and the ability to target the affected area. However, these potential advantages do not guarantee clinical improvement.
Can PRP help golfer's elbow?
PRP has been investigated for golfer’s elbow and other tendon conditions. Whether it is appropriate depends on your individual diagnosis and circumstances.
Is PRP better than cortisone?
The evidence does not support a simple answer for every patient. Different studies have reported different results depending on the timeframe and outcome being measured.
How quickly will I feel better after PRP?
Improvement, if it occurs, is generally gradual rather than immediate. Your clinician will explain the expected recovery following treatment.