What to expect from PRP injection for tennis elbow

PRP uses a sample of your own blood that is processed to concentrate platelets before being placed near the irritated tendon. Your clinician may examine your elbow and use imaging to confirm the target. The injection can cause brief pressure or soreness. PRP is intended to support tendon healing; it does not repair a torn tendon instantly or remove every source of elbow pain.

Pain can feel more noticeable for a short period after treatment as the area settles. Improvement, when it occurs, is usually gradual rather than immediate, and the response differs between people.

Tell the clinic about medicines, bleeding problems, infection, allergies, and any recent treatment to the elbow. Follow the clinician’s instructions about medicines that may affect bleeding, and arrange practical support if your arm is sore after the appointment.

For the first phase, protect the elbow from heavy gripping, lifting and sport. Use only the pain relief and cold or heat measures your clinician recommends. Rehabilitation then commonly adds gentle movement, followed by progressive tendon and forearm strengthening. Return to work, racquet sports or gym loading should follow symptoms, strength and the programme rather than a fixed date.

Contact your clinic promptly if pain is worsening instead of settling, the injection site becomes increasingly red, hot or swollen, or you develop drainage or fever. Seek urgent care for severe allergic symptoms, rapidly spreading swelling, new hand weakness, or a hand that becomes cold, pale or blue.

Ask whether PRP fits the cause of your elbow pain, what activity limits apply, which medicines to pause or continue, how rehabilitation will be paced, and what improvement would prompt a different treatment.