Elbow pain usually comes from overuse, sport or repetitive strain — tennis elbow on the outside, golfer’s elbow on the inside — and is nearly always treatable without surgery. Ultrasound shows the degree of tendon damage and guides the injection; PRP has shown excellent results in chronic cases.
Repetitive strain, sports such as tennis and golf, manual labour and obesity are the usual risk factors. The forearm muscles attach to the elbow through short, poorly supplied tendons that degenerate under repetitive load rather than inflame — which is why anti-inflammatories give limited relief and regenerative treatment works better.
Clinical examination of grip, resisted movements and nerve function; ultrasound to grade the tendon and check the bursa and nerves; X-ray when the bone is involved.
Conditions treated
Degeneration of the extensor tendons on the outer elbow; pain on gripping and lifting. First-line: a loading programme and a counterforce brace. For persistent pain, an ultrasound-guided PRP injection has the strongest evidence for durable improvement.
The same process in the flexor tendons on the inner elbow. Treated the same way — loading, then ultrasound-guided PRP for persistent cases. The ulnar nerve is checked, since it sits next to the tendon.
Any of the three arm nerves can be compressed around the elbow — the ulnar nerve in its groove (tingling in the ring and little fingers), the median and radial nerves as they pass through the forearm muscles. Ultrasound identifies the exact site; hydrodissection frees the nerve with fluid under direct view. Surgical release is reserved for muscle wasting.
A fluid swelling at the point of the elbow after pressure or a knock. Aspiration under ultrasound, with an image-guided injection to settle inflammation when it is not infected. Infected bursitis needs antibiotics, not injection.
Sprains of the elbow ligaments after a fall or throwing sports. Bracing and rehabilitation first; ultrasound-guided PRP supports healing of partial tears.
Fifteen to thirty minutes. PRP begins with a blood draw and takes about forty-five minutes overall. Expect soreness for a few days after a tendon injection; normal light use resumes within a week.
No — it can affect anyone doing repetitive hand and wrist movements.
Yes — PRP has shown excellent results in chronic cases.
Tendons recover through controlled loading, not rest. Complete rest weakens them further.
Usually one or two, six weeks apart, reviewed on response.