Tennis elbow, medically known as lateral epicondylitis, is a common and often frustrating condition that affects the outer part of the elbow. Despite its name, tennis elbow doesn’t just affect athletes. In fact, most people who experience it have never picked up a racket.
This painful condition is caused by overuse of the forearm muscles and tendons, especially where they attach to the bony bump on the outside of your elbow. When those tissues become irritated, inflamed, or begin to break down from repetitive motion, it leads to the chronic pain known as tennis elbow.
PRP therapy begins with something incredibly simple—your own blood. A small sample is drawn from your arm and placed in a centrifuge, a device that spins at high speed to separate the components of your blood.
This process concentrates the platelets, which are rich in growth factors and healing proteins. The resulting platelet-rich plasma is then injected directly into the injured area—in this case, the tendon tissue affected by tennis elbow.
Platelets are most commonly known for helping blood clot, but they play an even more powerful role in healing soft tissue. When injected into damaged tendons or joints, they:
Unlike steroid injections, which simply numb pain and reduce swelling temporarily, PRP actually works to heal the tissue, addressing the root cause of pain and dysfunction.
PRP therapy works because of biological concentration. Your blood is made up of red blood cells, white blood cells, plasma, and platelets. While platelets only make up a small percentage of your blood normally, PRP isolates and increases their concentration by 5 to 10 times.
That means you’re getting a high dose of your body’s most potent natural healing agents, delivered right where your body needs them most.
The process begins with a quick blood draw, typically from your arm—similar to a routine lab test. The amount collected is small, usually around 15–30 ml (just a few teaspoons).
Your blood is then placed into a centrifuge, a specialized machine that spins at high speed. This separates the blood into different layers. The layer rich in platelets and healing growth factors is extracted to create your custom-tailored platelet-rich plasma.
This concentrated solution contains 5 to 10 times more platelets than normal blood, giving your body an extra boost of its natural healing power.
Next, your Medici specialist will inject the PRP directly into the area of tendon damage in your elbow. To ensure precision and effectiveness, ultrasound guidance may be used to pinpoint the exact location of injury.
This targeted delivery allows the healing agents in the PRP to reach the site of inflammation and tissue breakdown—jumpstarting the body’s natural repair process right at the source.
The entire visit typically takes 30 to 60 minutes from start to finish, making PRP an ideal option for busy patients looking for real relief without the hassle of surgery or downtime.
One of the key benefits of PRP therapy is the minimal downtime. Most patients can return to normal daily activities within a day or two, though high-impact or repetitive motion should be limited for a short time to allow healing.
You may experience some mild swelling or soreness at the injection site, which is a normal part of the body’s healing response and usually resolves within a few days.
PRP works by delivering a high concentration of your body’s own healing platelets directly to the injured tendon. These platelets release growth factors that stimulate tissue repair, increase blood flow, and enhance cellular regeneration.
This means your body can heal faster and more completely, instead of waiting for the inflammation to resolve on its own.
Unlike temporary solutions like steroid injections or pain relievers, PRP targets the source of pain—damaged tendon tissue. Once healing begins, many patients report:
PRP doesn’t just stop the pain—it helps rebuild the tendon’s strength and integrity. Over time, patients often regain full use of their arm, with improved resistance to future strain or injury.
This is especially important for athletes, manual laborers, and anyone who depends on arm strength and function in daily life.
Many patients turn to PRP because they want to avoid invasive procedures or the risks of extended medication use. PRP offers a:
Because PRP uses your own blood, the risk of side effects or allergic reaction is extremely low. There are:
PRP is particularly beneficial for patients who:
Whether you're a parent, a tradesperson, a weekend athlete, or someone who types all day—if elbow pain is holding you back, PRP may offer the regenerative boost you need.
While PRP therapy is safe and effective for many patients, certain individual health factors can influence how well it works, such as:
Our team carefully evaluates all of these factors to create a personalized plan for you.
While PRP is safe for most people, it may not be the best option if you:
During your consultation, our team will review your full medical history to determine whether PRP is appropriate—or whether an alternative treatment may be more effective for your unique situation.
At Medici, your journey starts with a thorough evaluation. Our board-certified providers will:
We don’t just treat symptoms—we treat the whole person, using the most effective, least invasive, and least drug-dependent methods available.
Tennis elbow can be stubborn, painful, and limiting—but it doesn’t have to be permanent. PRP therapy offers a powerful alternative to surgery and long-term medications. By using your body’s own healing cells, PRP helps repair damaged tendon tissue, reduce inflammation, and restore strength—naturally and effectively.
Unlike short-term fixes, PRP focuses on long-term healing, without the side effects of drugs or the downtime of surgery. It’s a minimally invasive option that’s giving patients their lives back—and it might be the right fit for you too.
At Medici Orthopaedics & Spine, we don’t believe in one-size-fits-all care. We take the time to understand your pain, your goals, and your lifestyle. Our approach is patient-centered, innovative, and committed to restoring your quality of life with the most advanced, least invasive treatments available.
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At Medici, you’re more than your MRI.
We take time to hear your story, understand your pain, and create a plan that actually works for you.
Our team delivers specialist care at convenient locations across Metro Atlanta:
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