Tendonosis diagnosis (elbow ultrasound) with prolotherapy recommended

Posted by barbaradh @barbaradh, Nov 26, 2025

Looking for other patients who may have had elbow ultrasound which resulted in a dx of tendonosis. Prolotherapy has been recommended. After almost a year of pain snd no relief from PT and other modalities, I am thinking of pursuing this.

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@barbaradh My ortho went one step farther and ordered an MRI on the elbow, which revealed a partially torn tendon. He offered ultrasound guided Tenex to remove the damaged tissue, or injected PRP (plasma rich protein). The Tenex procedure had a slightly higher success rate, so zi chose it. At six months I am pain-free.

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Profile picture for Sue, Volunteer Mentor @sueinmn

@barbaradh My ortho went one step farther and ordered an MRI on the elbow, which revealed a partially torn tendon. He offered ultrasound guided Tenex to remove the damaged tissue, or injected PRP (plasma rich protein). The Tenex procedure had a slightly higher success rate, so zi chose it. At six months I am pain-free.

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Awesome news, Sue. Thanks for sharing. May I ask what city your surgeon is in?

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Near Minneapolis Minnesota

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That’s a hike for me! Thanks

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Profile picture for barbaradh @barbaradh

That’s a hike for me! Thanks

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@barbaradh If you have a sports medicine orthopedic practice near you, the young docs there are very tuned in to newer procedures.
I forgot to add that this procedure, like plasma rich protein (PRP) injections, is considered "experimental" at this point, so not covered by insurance. Mine cost about $1500, and was worth every penny. Ironically, if the doc had done a more invasive surgery to clean up the tendon, with similar success rate, higher cost, longer recovery time, and greater infection risk, it would have been covered.

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My inclination is always to try the nonsurgical approach first. But I am thrilled you had such a success experience. Do you know the source of your elbow pain? Sports, carrying a big box, etc.?

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Profile picture for barbaradh @barbaradh

My inclination is always to try the nonsurgical approach first. But I am thrilled you had such a success experience. Do you know the source of your elbow pain? Sports, carrying a big box, etc.?

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@barbaradh Arthritis and MANY years of overuse. My shoulder also had numerous torn tendons, which were surgically repaired.

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Profile picture for Sue, Volunteer Mentor @sueinmn

@barbaradh Arthritis and MANY years of overuse. My shoulder also had numerous torn tendons, which were surgically repaired.

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I am 68 and my elbows X-rays done in September showed zero sign of arthritis. It was easy to rule that out.

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