by Dr. Noel Peterson, ND, DAAPM, Updated August 2026
Elbow pain, most commonly caused by “tennis elbow” (lateral elbow tendinopathy) or “golfer’s elbow” (medial elbow tendinopathy), can be much more than a low-level, nagging pain. Many people avoid addressing it until it is severe. But pain that lasts for months or years can not only be exhausting and diminish quality of life, but it can lead to permanent bone, ligament and tendon disability . If you are giving up tennis, golf, or work activities – or taking medication simply to get through the day – there may be a better way.
PRP for tennis elbow is a non-steroidal, non-surgical option designed to support the body’s repair response. It is not a guaranteed cure, but newer studies support that selected patients may experience more durable improvement than with corticosteroid injections.
A Tennis Elbow Case Study
Megan was in her 50s when she first came to see me for tennis elbow. She played tennis two or three times per week and had managed the pain for more than a year, until working from home increased her typing. Her elbow worsened even though she was playing less tennis. Once it affected her workday, she resolved to do something about it.
An examination and in-office point of care ultrasound (POCUS) showed swelling in the common extensor tendon. I performed an ultrasound-guided platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injection that day. Four weeks later, Stacey reported that she was about 70% improved. She received a second treatment and continued her exercises. At the third visit, she was about 90% improved, and the tendon no longer appeared swollen on ultrasound. After a third treatment, at 3 months, her pain resolved while she continued working full time and returned to unrestricted tennis. Individual results vary, but her story shows why an accurate diagnosis and targeted plan matter.
Why Tennis and Golfer’s Elbow Can Linger
Despite the familiar word “epicondylitis,” chronic tennis elbow is usually more degenerative than inflammatory. Repetitive gripping, lifting, typing, racquet sports, and golf can overload the tendon faster than it repairs. Nerve irritation, arthritis, instability, or a partial tear can also mimic tendon pain.
That is why Oregon Regenerative Medicine begins with a hands-on examination and, point-of-care diagnostic ultrasound. Ultrasound is more accurate than MRI and can help identify the injured structure and guide treatment precisely rather than injecting blindly.
What New Research Says About PRP for Elbow Pain
The evidence has grown since this article was first published, and it is important to present it honestly. A 2025 meta-analysis of 26 randomized trials involving 1,877 patients found that corticosteroid injections produced better pain relief during the first two months, while PRP produced better pain and function after six months.1 A 2026 randomized trial of 50 elbows reported the same pattern: steroids worked faster, while PRP showed better disability scores at six and 12 months and lower average pain over time.2 Keep in mind that steroids can also adversely weaken ligaments and tendons.
A 2022 meta-analysis of 340 patients found similar outcomes after PRP or surgery through one year, suggesting PRP may be the best option people who want to avoid an operation.3 However, a 2026 placebo-controlled meta-analysis found no significant PRP advantage through about six months.4 The evidence remains mixed. PRP preparation, diagnosis, technique, rehabilitation, and patient selection are certain to influence results. That’s why your choice of physicians and their expertise is your most important decision on whether to treat.
Elbow Pain Treatment Without Steroids or Surgery
Early elbow tendinopathy often improves with activity changes, progressive strengthening, and physical therapy. A 2022 clinical practice guideline supports a structured, non-surgical approach.5 A counterforce brace may also make activity more comfortable. When symptoms remain limiting despite diligent rehabilitation, Oregon Regenerative Medicine provides ultrasound-guided PRP or prolotherapy as part of a personalized, non-surgical plan.
The goal is not simply to mute pain for a few weeks. It is to identify the tissue that is not healing, support a durable return to work and recreation, and help you make an informed decision. Do not allow nagging pain to keep narrowing your life. Schedule an evaluation at our Lake Oswego clinic near Portland to learn whether regenerative treatment is appropriate for your elbow.
Quick Answers About PRP for Tennis Elbow
No. PRP is prepared from a small sample of your own blood and contains concentrated growth and repair molecules.
Improvement, when it occurs, usually develops over weeks to months and is supported by rehabilitation.
No treatment can guarantee that outcome. An evaluation can clarify whether PRP, continued rehabilitation, another diagnosis, or a surgical consultation makes sense.
References
1. Maroun R, Daher M, Boufadel P, et al. Platelet rich plasma versus corticosteroids for lateral epicondylitis: a meta-analysis of randomized clinical trials. Clin Shoulder Elb. 2025;28(1):40-48. doi:10.5397/cise.2024.00801.
2. Wilson JJ, Lee KS, Erickson R, Kliethermes S. A randomized controlled trial of 1-year clinical outcomes of a single platelet-rich plasma injection versus corticosteroid for the treatment of lateral elbow tendinopathy. Orthop J Sports Med. 2026. doi:10.1177/23259671251386862.
3. Kim CH, Park YB, Lee JS, Jung HS. Platelet-rich plasma injection vs. operative treatment for lateral elbow tendinosis: a systematic review and meta-analysis. J Shoulder Elbow Surg. 2022;31(2):428-436. doi:10.1016/j.jse.2021.09.008.
4. Antunes Junior CR, Santos RSS, Barreto ESR, et al. Platelet-rich plasma does not improve pain or function in patients with lateral epicondylitis as compared with placebo: a meta-analysis of randomized clinical trials. Am J Sports Med. 2026;54(5). doi:10.1177/03635465251383039.
5. Lucado AM, Day JM, Vincent JI, et al. Lateral elbow pain and muscle function impairments: clinical practice guideline. J Orthop Sports Phys Ther. 2022;52(12):CPG1-CPG111. doi:10.2519/jospt.2022.0302.
Photo credits retained from the original article: Moises Alex and Courtney Cook via Unsplash. Individual outcomes vary. This article is educational and does not replace a clinical evaluation.
