Chronic Elbow Pain That Won’t Go Away? Let’s Talk About Epicondylitis.
Have you ever noticed elbow pain that just won’t go away no matter what you do? You’ve tried rest, ice, anti-inflammatories, and every physical therapy video YouTube has to offer, but the pain is still there.
As an orthopedic nurse practitioner, I see lateral and medial epicondylitis every single week.
I often tell my patients the same thing:
“If you Google epicondylitis, you’ll find 400 different ways to treat it—which usually means no one has fully figured it out.”
Or… have they?
What Is Epicondylitis?
Epicondylitis is inflammation of the tendon that attaches to either the lateral (outside) or medial (inside) epicondyle of the elbow. These tendons connect to the muscles of the forearm and play a major role in everyday movements.
Most cases are caused by repetitive use—typing, lifting, gripping, workouts, sports, or even daily household tasks. However, anyone can get it. Almost every patient says the same thing: “I had no idea how much I used my elbow until it started hurting.”
Traditional Treatment Options
Some orthopedic surgeons may recommend rest alone. Personally, I prefer a multimodal approach, which often includes:
Bracing
Anti-inflammatory medications
Physical therapy
However, for patients who fail conservative treatment, instead of immediately jumping to steroid injections, we begin a different conversation. Enter PRP therapy.
Why PRP for Epicondylitis?
If every patient with epicondylitis had an MRI, you would likely find small, partial tears in the common extensor tendon/common flexor tendon of the elbow. These microtears are often the true source of persistent pain as well as the inflammation associated with them.
So how does PRP help?
PRP (platelet-rich plasma) is injected directly into the damaged tendon. PRP is rich in growth factors that stimulate cell turnover and tissue repair. By placing PRP precisely where those small tears exist, we encourage true healing of the tendon, rather than just masking symptoms.
As the tendon heals, inflammation decreases, and pain improves at the source.
The Results Speak for Themselves
My patients have seen significant success using PRP to treat both lateral and medial epicondylitis. An added benefit? PRP avoids the increased risk of tendon rupture that can be associated with cortisone injections.
Still skeptical? Take a look at the growing body of research, including studies published by the National Institutes of Health, supporting PRP as an effective treatment option for chronic tendon injuries.
Sometimes the answer isn’t more rest, it’s better healing.
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9003647/
