PRP for golfers in London: golfer's elbow treatment without surgery
You feel it on the inside of the elbow on the downswing, or a dull ache when you grip the club, carry the bag or shake hands after the round. Golfer's elbow, known medically as medial epicondylitis, is the most common PRP-treated injury in golf, but it is rarely the only one. The same swing loads the lead knee, the lower back and the shoulder, and amateur golfers in London often arrive with two or three sore areas rather than one. At The London PRP Clinic by The Wellness, platelet-rich plasma is used across all of these areas, with treatment planned around your handicap, your season and how much you play.
Key points
Golfer's elbow is an overuse injury of the tendons on the inside of the elbow. PRP is an evidence-supported non-surgical option when rest, physiotherapy and activity changes have not settled it.
A 2022 systematic review of platelet-rich plasma versus surgery for medial epicondylitis found PRP to be a viable non-surgical treatment strategy for the condition.
A 2023 comparative study in the Journal of Clinical Medicine found PRP injections reduced the need for any surgical procedure in chronic epicondylitis compared with conservative treatment alone.
Golf also loads the knee, shoulder and lower back. PRP is used for tendon and joint problems in all of these areas, and your doctor will assess which tissues are actually driving your pain.
Joint and tendon PRP at The London PRP Clinic by The Wellness starts from £750, after an in-person consultation at £220. Phone consultations are £59 for 15 minutes and video consultations are £150.
Why golfers end up in a PRP clinic
Golf looks gentle from the clubhouse, but the modern swing is a repeated, high-speed, one-sided movement. Amateurs typically practise more than they warm up, play through early warning signs, and arrive at a clinic only when the pain starts changing their game. The pattern we see most often is medial elbow pain in the trail arm, lead knee discomfort that has built up over a season, and shoulder or upper back tightness that limits the backswing.
These are largely tendon and joint problems, and tendons have a poor blood supply. That is why they are slow to heal on their own, and why an injection that concentrates your own platelets at the injury site has a logical basis. Platelets carry growth factors involved in tissue repair, and PRP delivers them in high concentration exactly where the tendon is degenerating.
Golfer's elbow and PRP: what the evidence says
Medial epicondylitis is less common than tennis elbow but behaves similarly: a degenerative tendon problem rather than a simple inflammation, which is why anti-inflammatory tablets and repeated steroid injections so often disappoint. The evidence base for PRP in elbow tendinopathy has grown steadily. A 2022 systematic review examined platelet-rich plasma injections against surgery for medial epicondylitis and concluded that PRP is a viable non-surgical treatment strategy for the condition. A 2023 comparative study in the Journal of Clinical Medicine followed patients with chronic epicondylitis and found that PRP injections reduced the need for any surgical procedure compared with conservative treatment alone.
For tennis elbow, the randomised evidence is stronger still, and the biology is the same on the other side of the joint. You can read our breakdown of that evidence in PRP for tennis elbow in London: what the randomised evidence actually shows. The honest summary for golfers: PRP is not a guaranteed cure, but it is a credible next step before surgery, with a far shorter recovery than an operation and no general anaesthetic.
The other injuries golf gives you
The lead knee. The downswing loads the lead knee in rotation, and golfers with early osteoarthritis or meniscal wear often feel it there first. PRP is used for knee osteoarthritis with a substantial evidence base, covered in our article on PRP for knee osteoarthritis.
The shoulder. Rotator cuff tendinopathy and AC joint irritation are common in golfers who practise heavily. PRP is used for partial rotator cuff problems and tendon irritation, always after an examination and usually imaging.
The lower back. Facet joint and sacroiliac irritation can limit rotation. Assessment matters most here, because back pain in golfers has many possible drivers and not all of them suit PRP.
The point of a consultation is to work out which of these is actually causing your symptoms. Treating the wrong structure wastes your money and your season.
What treatment involves
1. Consultation and diagnosis. Your doctor examines the painful area, reviews any scans you already have and arranges imaging if needed. You leave with a clear diagnosis and an honest view of whether PRP is likely to help. Initial consultations are £59 by phone for 15 minutes, £150 by video or £220 in person.
2. The PRP procedure. A small sample of your blood is taken and spun in a centrifuge to concentrate the platelets. The PRP is then injected into the injured tendon or joint, with ultrasound guidance where it improves accuracy. The appointment takes under an hour and you walk out afterwards.
3. Recovery and return to golf. Most golfers rest the arm or joint for a few days, then rebuild loading gradually. Putting and gentle chipping usually come back within two to three weeks, with full swings following as the tendon settles. Your doctor gives you a written plan, and you can read more in our guide to PRP downtime and returning to normal life.
What it costs
At The London PRP Clinic by The Wellness, joint and tendon PRP starts from £750 per treatment area, confirmed in writing before any treatment begins. Many golfer's elbow cases need one or two sessions; more established tendon problems may need a short course. Compared with the alternatives, the value case is straightforward: repeated steroid injections are cheaper per visit but often give shorter relief and can weaken tendon tissue with repetition, while elbow surgery means an operation, a general or regional anaesthetic and weeks away from the course.
Why golfers choose The London PRP Clinic by The Wellness
Every treatment is performed by a GMC-registered doctor, not delegated. Diagnosis comes first, and we will tell you plainly if your injury is unlikely to respond to PRP. The clinic sits in Marylebone, central London, with appointments that fit around work and tee times, and every patient leaves with a written aftercare plan and a direct line to the team.
To ask a question first, message the clinic on WhatsApp, call 020 3951 3429 or email team@thewellnesslondon.com. Ready to be assessed? Book your consultation and we will work out what is actually driving the pain.
Frequently asked questions about PRP for golfers
Can PRP fix golfer's elbow without surgery?
For many golfers, yes. A 2022 systematic review found PRP a viable non-surgical strategy for medial epicondylitis, and a 2023 study found PRP reduced the need for surgery in chronic epicondylitis. Surgery remains an option for the minority who do not respond.
How soon can I play golf after PRP?
Most golfers rest the treated area for a few days, then return to putting and chipping within two to three weeks. Full swings follow as the tendon settles, guided by your doctor's written plan.
Is PRP better than a steroid injection for golfer's elbow?
Steroid injections often give quicker but shorter relief, and repeated steroids can weaken tendon tissue. PRP aims to support tendon repair rather than suppress symptoms, which is why many clinicians now offer it before considering repeated steroids or surgery.
How many PRP sessions will I need?
Many golfer's elbow cases improve after one or two sessions. Longer-standing tendon problems may need a short course. Your doctor gives you an honest expectation at consultation, after examining the tendon.
Can PRP treat my knee or shoulder as well as my elbow?
Yes. PRP is used for knee osteoarthritis, rotator cuff problems and other tendon and joint injuries common in golfers. Each area is assessed on its own merits at consultation.
How much does PRP for golfers cost in London?
At The London PRP Clinic by The Wellness, joint and tendon PRP starts from £750 per treatment area. Consultations are £59 by phone for 15 minutes, £150 by video and £220 in person.
References
Platelet-rich plasma injections versus surgery as treatment strategies for medial epicondylitis: a systematic review. 2022. Read the review
Platelet-rich plasma injections decrease the need for any surgical procedure for chronic epicondylitis versus conservative treatment: a comparative study. Journal of Clinical Medicine. 2023. Read the study
This article is for information and does not replace personal medical advice. All treatments at The London PRP Clinic by The Wellness are performed by GMC-registered doctors. Written and medically reviewed by the clinical team at The London PRP Clinic by The Wellness. Last updated October 2026.