Injection Options for Treating Tennis Elbow

If you live an active lifestyle, you may have experienced pain in your elbow after a strenuous workout. Although the name suggests otherwise, tennis elbow does not only occur amongst athletes of the sport. Workers who repetitively use their elbows also risk developing tennis elbow.

Thanks to modern medical innovations, there are many treatment options for tennis elbow. These include injection therapy, which speeds up the recovery process. Learn more about injection therapy for tennis elbow below.

Prolotherapy

Prolotherapy is a modern treatment option with ancient roots. This therapy involves injecting an irritant into the affected tissue. The substance will then cause mild inflammation and stimulate your body’s natural healing response.

This type of injection treatment can relieve pain and improve tissue function and strength. You may need two to six sessions of prolotherapy, depending on your condition and your body’s reaction speed. Your doctor may also require you to receive injections in the areas surrounding the elbow.

Nowadays, prolotherapy is one of the most preferred options for treating tennis elbow or lateral epicondylitis. It has also shown promise for other sports injuries and conditions. Scientists are now studying the effectiveness of prolotherapy on osteoarthritis symptoms and low back pain.

Cortisone Injections

Cortisone is a type of steroid that minimizes pain, swelling, and inflammation. Your doctor will directly inject this into the affected area to provide relief. However, cortisone injections only control the symptoms and usually supplement other treatments. Doctors commonly use this treatment for issues such as bursitis and conditions concerning joints and tendons.

You should only get cortisone injections once every three months. That’s because too much corticosteroid can weaken the immune system. Here are other risks of cortisone injections that you should discuss with your doctor beforehand include:

  • Altered mood
  • Fluid retention
  • Increased blood sugar and blood pressure
  • Decreased bone density

PRP Therapy

Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) therapy is an effective treatment for tennis elbow. This regenerative treatment is well known for its applications in hair rejuvenation and other cosmetic treatments. However, PRP therapy is primarily proven effective for orthopedic problems.

PRP therapy involves taking a blood sample from a patient and using a centrifuge to isolate the plasma from the rest of the blood’s content. The doctor will gather the upper layer, the less dense and plasma-rich part of the blood. This layer has concentrated pure plasma, white blood cells, and platelets. This layer is the PRP solution which the doctor will inject directly into the treatment area.

Concentrated platelets are full of growth factors that stimulate the body’s natural healing process. They aid in cell reproduction and tissue renewal, paving the way for tendon and tissue healing. This treatment usually only takes half an hour to complete. You can immediately go back to your daily tasks after the treatment.

A few sessions of PRP therapy may be necessary for substantial relief. Results can last several months, saving patients from taking strong painkillers frequently.

Tennis Elbow Treatment in Jessup, MD

Tennis elbow tends to develop due to over-exhaustion of tendons. With modern medical treatments like prolotherapy, PRP therapy, and cortisone injections, you can find relief from your symptoms and get better in no time.

If you’re looking for a safe tennis elbow treatment in Jessup, MD, come to Orthopaedic Associates of Central Maryland. We offer a full range of treatments, including PRP therapy, cortisone injections, and physical therapy. Our licensed and experienced orthopedic doctors also perform surgery for those with severe orthopedic injuries or conditions.

You can consult with us to know your options for tennis elbow. Before visiting any of our locations in Maryland, please schedule an appointment online. If you have any concerns about our services, you may call us at (410) 644-1880. Our staff and doctors are eager to serve you!