If you’ve been battling pain on the inside of your elbow — especially when gripping, lifting, or swinging a racket or club — you may be dealing with golfer’s elbow (medial epicondylitis).
As a physiotherapist, I often see people who’ve tried it all: rest, hands-on treatment, strengthening, and careful load management. Yet, months later, the pain is still there.
So, what options exist when standard care isn’t enough?
A 2024 clinical trial offers some valuable insight. It compared two regenerative therapies often used when progress stalls:
✔️ Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP)
✔️ Extracorporeal Shockwave Therapy (ESWT)
What Did the Study Do?
The trial followed 54 people with chronic medial elbow pain (pain lasting more than 3 months). Participants received either:
- A single ultrasound-guided PRP injection, or
- Three weekly sessions of ESWT (shockwave therapy)
Pain and function were tracked for 24 weeks.
What Were the Results?
🔹 Both treatments reduced pain and improved elbow function
🔹 PRP outperformed ESWT, with greater pain relief at 12 and 24 weeks
🔹 PRP’s benefits were longer-lasting, especially for stubborn cases
Why Did PRP Work Better?
PRP involves injecting concentrated platelets from your own blood directly into the tendon. This helps stimulate:
- Collagen production
- Blood flow
- Tendon regeneration
ESWT, by contrast, uses sound waves to trigger healing. It can be effective, but tends to provide more short-term relief.
What Does This Mean for You?
If you’ve had surfers elbow for more than 3 months and physio alone hasn’t solved it, PRP or ESWT could be worth considering.
- ✔️ Choose PRP if you want longer-lasting results and don’t mind an injection-based option.
- ✔️ Try ESWT if you prefer a non-invasive treatment or want to trial something before injections.
These aren’t first-line treatments — but they can be game-changers when pain becomes persistent.
Takeaway
Surfers elbow can be stubborn, but you don’t have to put up with it forever. If you’re still struggling, speak with your physio or sports doctor. Together, you can weigh the pros and cons of PRP vs shockwave and decide which option best fits your goals, comfort level, and recovery plan.
Reference
Singh, S. A., Singh, A. J., Singh, Y. N., et al. (2024). Effectiveness of ultrasound-guided PRP injection vs ESWT in medial epicondylitis: A randomized controlled trial. International Journal of Advances in Medicine, 11(4), 338–343. Retrieved from Boston Sports & Biologics
Be The First To Comment