Tennis Elbow and Tendon Pain: Why Cortisone is Out and PRP is In
If you have ever had Tennis Elbow (lateral epicondylitis) or Golfer's Elbow, you know the misery. It hurts to lift a coffee cup, turn a doorknob, or shake hands. It is a stubborn, nagging injury that can last for months or even years.
For decades, the standard treatment was a cortisone injection. It worked like magic—the pain vanished almost instantly. But doctors are now moving away from cortisone. Why? Because while it stops the pain, it often makes the injury worse in the long run.
PRP therapy has emerged as the modern, regenerative alternative. Instead of masking the pain, it heals the tissue.
The Problem with Cortisone
Cortisone is a powerful anti-inflammatory. It shuts down inflammation instantly, which stops the pain. However, recent studies show that cortisone can actually weaken the tendon and stop collagen production.
Patients who get cortisone shots often feel great for 6 weeks, but have a much higher rate of recurrence at 6 months and 12 months. In some cases, repeated injections can lead to the tendon snapping completely.
Why PRP is Superior for Tendons
Tendons have a poor blood supply. That is why they heal so slowly. When you injure a tendon, your body struggles to get enough healing cells to the site.
PRP solves this by delivering a massive dose of your own healing cells (platelets) directly into the damaged tissue.
Recruits Stem Cells: It signals your body to send repair cells to the area.
Builds New Tissue: It stimulates the production of healthy collagen fibres to repair the micro-tears.
Reduces Inflammation Naturally: It resolves the inflammation by healing the injury, rather than just suppressing the immune response.
Talk to us about treating your persistent tendon pain
The Trade-Off: Speed vs. Healing
Here is the honest truth: PRP is slower than cortisone.
With cortisone, you walk out pain-free. With PRP, your elbow might feel achy for a few days (because we have restarted the inflammatory healing cycle). You typically start to feel improvement after 3-4 weeks, with the healing continuing for months.
The difference is the outcome.
Cortisone: Fast relief, high risk of return, potential tissue damage.
PRP: Slower relief, real tissue repair, stronger tendon, long-term fix.
Is It Right For You?
PRP is ideal for:
Chronic Pain: Elbow pain that has lasted more than 3 months.
Failed Physio: You have done the exercises, but it is not getting better.
Active People: You want to get back to sport/gym without risking a rupture.
Cortisone Failure: You had a shot, it worked for a month, and now the pain is back.
Don't just mask the pain. Fix the tendon.
