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Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injections for tennis/golfers elbow
I have chronic tennis and golf elbow from playing golf. In truth, I have felt the tennis elbow all my life off and on, before I even started playing golf, but now I play golf a lot and its gotten chronic. I have had PT, cortisone shots, braces, plus I rested (no golf) for two months for it to heal. It was better, but then it just came back after a few months. I do daily at home PT for them but nothing works. I consciously keep a loose grip on the club.
A fellow golfer suggested PRP injections, said it worked for him. The injections are not cheap and insurance doesn't pay.
Has anyone had success with this for elbows?
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@cherawgirl ,
How are you doing? I have tennis elbow, I think. I’m exploring options.
I still have it but it’s not so bad I can’t deal with it. I still do the PT and try not to sleep where it strains it. I did not ever get the PRP.
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1 Reaction@cherawgirl ,
I called my PT person and explained the situation. She said to go ahead to the arm Orthopedist and see what he says. I certainly don’t want surgery and he is a top surgeon. I scheduled the appointment at a particularly painful time. I guess he’ll give me all the options.
Well, I definitely have tennis elbow. I got a brace, handout for exercises And a prescription for an anti inflammatory. If it’s not better in 3 weeks, I’ll get a cortisone shot, which I don’t want due to increase in blood sugar…I’m type 1 diabetic. Ortho said it didn’t come from me holding my ipad in my left hand. So……idk. He also said I can resume weight training, just not some moves.😳
No, I have not had PRP for elbow pain, but a friend did. The first injection did not provide any relief from pain. The doctor told him before the first injection, that it may take two treatments to resolve the problem, so he was forewarned. As he felt no help whatsoever was provided (cost just under $700) from the first shot, he has decided not to continue. PRP is less successful on knees form what I’ve read, but I know someone who went ahead and had it done. Once again, no relief at all. I have a sore elbow which presented no abnormal findings x-ray, so I am searching for solutions.
@barbaradh Hi Barbara - I too had tenosynovitis for a VERY long time, at first it responded to guided cortisone injections, ice and PT. For the past year it was miserable, and the ortho who was treating me offered several options, including PRP and a lesser known procedure called Tenex.
But, he offered something else you may want to try first - wear a stabilizing wrist brace to sleep and whenever it doesn't interfere with what you are doing (like cooking, showering.) Keeping the wrist in a neutral position reduces stress on the elbow. (Picture of brace below) This worked for my husband whose situation was less acute than mine.
And he gave me a list of exercises to help stretch and strengthen the muscles and tendons. Here is an excellent description: https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/322746#prevention
Start with exercises 1, 4, 5 & 6 for a week or so. If pain improves add exercises 2 & 3 with no more than 1lb of weight. If this does not work, it is time to ask for a referral to PT, where they can add strategies like ultrasound or infrared therapy or taping.