Tennis elbow is a common cause of pain on the outside of the elbow. The medical name for it is lateral epicondylitis. Even though it’s called tennis elbow, many people who have it don’t actually play tennis!
Tennis elbow usually happens when the tendons on the outside of the elbow become irritated from repeated use. Tendons are strong bands of tissue that connect muscles to bones. In this case, the affected tendons help with wrist, hand, and forearm movement.
When these tendons are used again and again, they can become sore, strained, and slow to heal. This can lead to pain when gripping, lifting, twisting, or reaching.
What Tennis Elbow Feels Like
Tennis elbow often causes pain on the outside part of the elbow. The pain may stay near the elbow or travel down the forearm.
It may hurt when someone:
- Grips an object
- Lifts a bag or cup
- Turns a doorknob
- Shakes hands
- Opens a jar
- Uses tools
- Types or uses a mouse for long periods
- Plays sports that involve gripping or swinging
Some people feel a sharp pain with certain movements. Others feel a dull ache that gets worse during the day. The elbow may also feel weak, tight, or tender to the touch.
Why Tennis Elbow Happens
Tennis elbow is usually linked to repeated stress. It can happen when the forearm muscles and tendons are asked to do the same motion too often, especially without enough time to rest.
Common causes may include sports, work tasks, hobbies, lifting, gripping, or tool use. Painters, plumbers, carpenters, cooks, office workers, athletes, and people who do repetitive hand or wrist movements may be more likely to develop it.
It’s not always caused by one big injury. Often, it builds slowly over time.
How PRP Might Help Tennis Elbow
PRP stands for platelet-rich plasma. It is made from a small sample of a person’s own blood.
The blood is processed so the platelets become more concentrated. Platelets are parts of the blood that help with clotting and play a role in the body’s natural healing process.
Once the PRP is prepared, it may be injected into the area causing pain. For tennis elbow, this usually means the irritated tendon area near the outside of the elbow.
PRP may help by supporting the body’s natural repair response in the irritated tendon. Since tennis elbow is often a tendon problem, the goal is to bring healing-related cells and growth factors to the area that has been painful or slow to recover.
PRP may help encourage the body to pay attention to a tendon that has been irritated for a long time. It’s not meant to be a quick numbing treatment. It is usually discussed as a possible option for longer-term healing support.
When PRP May Make Sense
PRP may be considered when tennis elbow hasn’t improved with basic care. This may include rest, activity changes, stretching, bracing, physical therapy, or other nonsurgical options.
It may make sense for someone who has had symptoms for a while, keeps having flare-ups, or has pain that affects work, exercise, or normal daily tasks.
However, PRP is not the right choice for everyone. A medical provider would need to look at the person’s symptoms, exam, health history, and goals before making a recommendation.
What Recovery Can Look Like
Recovery after PRP is usually gradual. Some soreness after the injection may happen. Many people are told to avoid heavy lifting or hard activity for a short time, then slowly return to normal movement.
Physical therapy or guided exercises may also be part of the recovery plan. These exercises may help improve strength, flexibility, and how the tendon handles everyday activity.
PRP does not usually work overnight. When it helps, improvement may happen slowly over weeks or months.
Can PRP Help People Avoid Elbow Surgery?
In some cases, PRP may be discussed as an option before elbow surgery. Tennis elbow often improves without surgery, but some cases can become long-lasting and frustrating. When rest, bracing, physical therapy, and activity changes have not provided enough relief, PRP may be considered as another nonsurgical step.
The goal of PRP is to support the body’s natural healing process in the irritated tendon. If PRP helps reduce pain and improve strength or function, some people may be able to return to normal activities without needing surgery.
However, PRP is not a guaranteed way to avoid surgery. Some people may improve, while others may still need additional treatment. A medical provider can help explain whether PRP makes sense based on the severity of symptoms, how long the pain has been present, and what other treatments have already been tried.
Support Your Body’s Natural Healing Process With PRP
Tennis elbow is usually an overuse tendon problem that causes pain on the outside of the elbow. PRP may be an option for some people when symptoms are not improving with basic care.
The goal of PRP is to support the body’s natural healing process, reduce irritation, and help the tendon recover over time. Results vary from person to person, so it’s always best to talk with a qualified medical provider about whether PRP may be appropriate.
Are you looking for relief from elbow pain and wondering if PRP could be right for you?
Call (813) 253-2406 or fill out our online form to schedule a consultation with one of our orthopedic specialists. Tampa Orthopaedic & Sports Medicine is located in Tampa, FL, and proudly serves patients from the surrounding communities.
