If you’re experiencing persistent pain on the outside of the elbow, particularly when lifting, gripping, or typing, you may be dealing with a common condition known as lateral epicondylitis, also referred to as tennis elbow. Despite its name, tennis elbow can affect anyone—not just athletes—and is often misunderstood and mismanaged.
In this article, we’ll explore the true nature of tennis elbow, explain how it often stems from underlying tendon damage, and discuss why traditional treatments like corticosteroid injections can do more harm than good. Most importantly, we’ll highlight how Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) is emerging as a powerful regenerative option for healing tendonitis and degenerative tendinopathy of the elbow.
What Is Lateral Epicondylitis (Tennis Elbow)?
Lateral epicondylitis, commonly called tennis elbow, is a painful condition that results from overuse or degeneration of the extensor tendons in the forearm. These tendons attach to the lateral epicondyle—the bony bump on the outside of the elbow. Repetitive motions such as lifting, gripping, typing, or swinging a racket can strain these tendons over time.
Although it is normally described as an inflammatory condition, new research shows that tennis elbow is a degenerative issue, not purely an inflammatory one. This distinction is crucial because it changes how we approach treatment.
The True Cause: Degenerative Tendinopathy, Not Just Inflammation
Contrary to earlier beliefs, lateral epicondylitis is not simply caused by inflammation of the tendons. Instead, it is frequently the result of degenerative tendinopathy, a chronic breakdown of the tendon fibers due to overuse, age, or improper mechanics. Microscopic tears in the extensor tendons, particularly the extensor carpi radialis brevis (ECRB), lead to weakened connective tissue, reduced function, and persistent pain.
In many cases, tennis elbow is a symptom of deeper tendon damage, which must be repaired rather than simply treated with anti-inflammatories.
Common Symptoms of Tennis Elbow
Patients with lateral epicondylitis often report:
- Elbow pain on the outside (lateral aspect) that worsens with gripping, lifting, or wrist extension
- Tenderness to the touch at the lateral epicondyle
- Weak grip strength
- Stiffness or aching, especially in the morning
- Pain that radiates down the forearm
Without proper intervention, this chronic elbow pain can severely limit daily activities—from opening doors to carrying groceries or using a computer.
Why Steroid Injections May Make Tennis Elbow Worse
Corticosteroid injections are a common treatment for tennis elbow due to their anti-inflammatory effects. However, clinical studies have shown that steroid injections provide only short-term relief and can cause further degeneration and decreased tendon thickness.
Potential downsides of steroids include:
- Weakening of tendon tissue
- Increased risk of tendon rupture
- Higher recurrence rates
- Worsening of underlying degenerative endinopathy
By only addressing the inflammation—not the microtears or tissue breakdown — steroids fail to resolve the true source of the pain.
How PRP Heals Tendonitis and Degenerative Tendinopathy
Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) is a regenerative treatment that uses concentrated platelets from your own blood — rich in growth factors — to repair damaged tendon tissue. When injected into the site of injury, PRP can:
- Stimulate collagen production and tendon healing
- Reduce chronic inflammation
- Improve tendon strength and elasticity
- Accelerate tissue regeneration
- Provide long-term pain relief
For patients suffering from tennis elbow due to degenerative tendinopathy, PRP addresses the root cause — not just the symptoms — by healing the microscopic tears that lead to persistent elbow pain.
What Does the Research Say About PRP for Tennis Elbow?
The effectiveness of PRP therapy for lateral epicondylitis is well-supported by clinical studies. In fact, many studies have shown PRP to be superior to corticosteroid injections and physical therapy.
One study published in the Journal of Orthopaedic Surgery (Gautam VK et al., 2015) compared PRP and corticosteroid injections in patients with chronic lateral epicondylitis. The results showed that while corticosteroids provided faster short-term relief, PRP led to significantly better long-term outcomes.
As the graph illustrates, pain relief from corticosteroids declined over time, while patients treated with PRP continued to improve for months after the injection.
Not only that, the researchers scanned the patients with ultrasound before and after treatment and they saw that those patients who got steroid injections experienced a thinning of the tendon whereas those who got PRP injections saw an increase in the tendon thickness and strength. So not only do the steroids wear off over time, they weaken the tendons making them more susceptible to future injury.
These findings make PRP an excellent option for individuals looking to avoid surgery and recover more naturally from elbow tendonitis and degenerative tendinopathy.
Benefits of PRP for Lateral Epicondylitis
- Non-surgical, outpatient treatment
- Uses your own blood, minimizing risk of reaction
- Targets the source of the pain
- Long-lasting results
- Promotes true healing, not just symptom relief
At Integrative Rehab Medicine, we use ultrasound-guided PRP injections to precisely target the affected tendons and maximize treatment outcomes.
When to Consider PRP for Tennis Elbow
You may be a good candidate for PRP therapy if:
- You’ve had elbow pain for more than 6 weeks
- Conservative treatments like rest and physical therapy haven’t worked
- You want to avoid steroids or surgery
- You have signs of tendon degeneration or partial tears on imaging
Our regenerative medicine specialists will conduct a thorough evaluation, including imaging and physical examination, to determine whether PRP is right for you.
The Bottom Line: Heal Elbow Pain at Its Source
Lateral epicondylitis, or tennis elbow, is more than a simple inflammation — it’s often a result of degenerative tendon injury that requires targeted healing. While treatments like steroid injections may offer quick relief, they do not address the root cause and may even worsen long-term outcomes.
Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) is a powerful regenerative option that can repair damaged tendon tissue, restore strength, and eliminate pain — helping you get back to the activities you love.
Ready to Treat Your Tennis Elbow for Good?
At Integrative Rehab Medicine, we specialize in non-surgical, regenerative treatments for chronic musculoskeletal conditions. If you’re ready to explore PRP for tennis elbow, contact our team today to schedule a consultation.
We’ll help you understand the cause of your elbow pain and provide a treatment plan that promotes long-term healing—not just temporary relief.
References
- Gautam VK, Verma S, Batra S, Bhatnagar N, Arora S. Platelet-rich plasma versus corticosteroid injection for recalcitrant lateral epicondylitis: clinical and ultrasonographic evaluation. J Orthop Surg (Hong Kong). 2015 Apr;23(1):1-5. doi: 10.1177/230949901502300101. PMID: 25920633.
- Kamble P, Prabhu RM, Jogani A, Mohanty SS, Panchal S, Dakhode S. Is Ultrasound (US)-Guided Platelet-Rich Plasma Injection More Efficacious as a Treatment Modality for Lateral Elbow Tendinopathy Than US-Guided Steroid Injection?: A Prospective Triple-Blinded Study with Midterm Follow-up. Clin Orthop Surg. 2023 Jun;15(3):454-462. doi: 10.4055/cios22128. Epub 2022 Dec 7. PMID: 37274509; PMCID: PMC10232317.
- Peerbooms JC, Sluimer J, Bruijn DJ, Gosens T. Positive effect of an autologous platelet concentrate in lateral epicondylitis in a double-blind randomized controlled trial: platelet-rich plasma versus corticosteroid injection with a 1-year follow-up. Am J Sports Med. 2010 Feb;38(2):255-62. doi: 10.1177/0363546509355445. PMID: 20448192.
