Elbow pain is a common complaint among adults of all ages. Often called “tennis elbow” or “golfer’s elbow,” it takes many forms and can seriously limit your daily activities and quality of life.
The good news? Elbow pain is treatable, and platelet-rich plasma (PRP) therapy is a relatively new treatment option promising to promote true healing.
Daniel Moghadam, MD, and our team at Modern Aesthetica offer PRP for elbow pain, and in this blog post, we’re exploring how it works and what to expect with PRP therapy for elbow pain.
PRP therapy involves using your own blood to create a concentrated solution of platelets, growth factors, and other healing agents. We inject the solution into the part of your body that hurts, and it helps stimulate healing, reduce inflammation, and relieve pain.
Regarding elbow pain and injury, PRP therapy offers several potential benefits. First, it’s a minimally invasive treatment option that doesn’t require orthopedic surgery. That means less downtime and a lower complication risk than surgical procedures.
PRP is a natural alternative to other treatment options, including pain medication. The growth factors and healing agents in the PRP solution stimulate your body’s natural healing processes, which can improve your body’s ability to heal itself. That means it addresses your elbow pain at the source and doesn’t just cover up the symptoms.
The first step in the PRP therapy process is your initial consultation. Dr. Moghadam and our team do a physical exam, ask about your symptoms, and review your medical history. You may also need imaging tests to determine the extent of your elbow condition.
PRP is a flexible therapy for various joint conditions. If we recommend PRP therapy for your elbow pain, we can discuss the benefits and risks of the procedure with you and answer any questions you have.
Here’s what happens after your initial consultation:
We start by drawing a blood sample. The amount of blood we need to draw depends on the number of injections you need, but it’s typically less than two ounces.
Once we take your blood sample, we put it in a centrifuge that separates the platelets and other beneficial components from the rest of your blood. This process typically takes around 10-15 minutes. After the platelets are separated, we recombine them into your PRP solution.
Next, we clean the skin around your elbow and prepare it for injection. We make a series of injections using a small needle to administer your PRP solution directly into your elbow joint and surrounding tissues. Sometimes, we use imaging, like an ultrasound or X-ray, to ensure precise placement.
There’s no downtime required with PRP therapy, but you may experience some discomfort and swelling at the injection site.
Be sure to follow our post-procedure instructions carefully to ensure optimal healing. This may include resting your elbow and avoiding strenuous activities for a few days. Most people can return to their usual routine shortly after PRP injections.
PRP therapy stimulates your body’s healing response, but healing takes time. Most patients need multiple PRP injections over several weeks to achieve optimal results.
Dr. Moghadam and our team develop a customized treatment plan for you. After your first procedure, we monitor your progress and adjust your treatment as needed. Depending on your condition, we may recommend additional treatments, like physical therapy, for more complete healing.
If elbow pain is slowing you down, it’s time to learn more about the benefits of PRP therapy. Get a treatment plan and find relief at Modern Aesthetica in Santa Monica, California. Request an appointment online or call us at 310-975-3866 to get started.
