If your job or sport puts repetitive stress on your elbow – such as with painting, plumbing, cooking, or playing tennis – then you may develop tennis elbow (lateral epicondylitis). This condition occurs when the tendons which attach your forearm muscles to your outer elbow become inflamed. The pain can extend from your elbow to your wrist.
If noninvasive measures such as applying a cold pack on the area and taking over-the-counter pain relievers have not helped, your orthopedic doctor may recommend PRP (platelet-rich plasma) injections.
One of the most popular forms of regenerative medicine, PRP therapy has been found to be particularly effective in treating joint pain. This is believed to be due to the platelets’ natural healing capabilities, and the infusion of your own platelets into the hurting elbow helps to reduce inflammation and to encourage healing of the tendon.
Let’s talk about how a physician-administered PRP injection can help treat your tennis elbow pain, and where you can go for an evaluation and treatment that helps you get back into the swing of things.
How PRP Injections Work for Elbow Pain
Platelet-rich-plasma has been a game-changer in the field of orthopedics, helping to address joint pain without the need for surgery. PRP injections promote healing and don’t require a prolonged period of downtime or cause scarring.
If you decide to try PRP, your doctor will first take a small sample of your blood from your arm. The blood is then processed in a centrifuge in order to separate out the platelets, and the platelet-rich plasma concentration is drawn into a syringe. The doctor then injects it into the painful elbow.
Because this is healing from within, using your own cells, it may take several weeks before you notice that your elbow is healing. Your doctor will explain how many treatments may be required in order to achieve maximum efficacy.
How PRP Helps with Healing
Whereas many treatments only mask your pain temporarily, with PRP your body actually tackles the problem naturally. Platelets are best known for their role in forming scabs, and they indeed perform healing throughout the body whenever necessary.
PRP, therefore, addresses the source of the injury and promotes recovery for a long-term solution. Plus, PRP injections are often implemented along with other treatments in addressing elbow pain.
Thanks to the fact that PRP consists of your own blood, there’s no chance of you having an allergic reaction. The only time that patients have an adverse reaction is if they are allergic to one of the other components used during the treatment.
Orthopedic Doctor for Treating Tennis Elbow in Austin, TX
Here at All-Star Orthopedics of Austin, we first consider using nonsurgical treatments like PRP injections if we believe that it may be a viable treatment for your elbow pain. Whether the issue is tennis elbow, golfer’s elbow, or arthritis, we will work with you to find a solution that gives you your elbow back.
If you have any questions or would like to schedule an appointment, contact our friendly staff today by calling us at (512) 346-4933 or by completing our easy-to-use appointment request form online now. We look forward to being your healthcare partner!
