PRP for Golfer's Elbow in Bellingham, WA
A non-surgical, ultrasound-guided injection that uses your body's own platelets to relieve chronic inner-elbow pain and help a stubborn flexor tendon heal — studied as an alternative to surgery for medial epicondylitis.
Book an initial visitCan PRP help golfer's elbow?
Bottom line
For chronic golfer's elbow that hasn't improved with rest, bracing, and physical therapy, PRP is a strong non-surgical option. For recalcitrant cases, studies have found PRP delivers outcomes comparable to surgery — with an earlier return to full motion and pain-free use. It works gradually, targeting the flexor tendon itself, and helps most in long-standing cases rather than a brand-new strain.
Golfer's elbow (medial epicondylitis) develops when the common flexor tendon on the inner elbow becomes overloaded and degenerates, leading to pain with gripping, lifting, and bending the wrist. Despite the name, most cases have nothing to do with golf — they come from repetitive gripping and forearm use at work, in the gym, or around the house.
Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) therapy concentrates the platelets and growth factors from a small sample of your own blood and delivers them directly into the injured flexor tendon under ultrasound guidance. The goal is to stimulate a genuine healing response in a tendon that, on its own, often heals slowly and incompletely.
PRP isn't a quick fix and isn't right for every elbow. It tends to help most in chronic tendon problems that haven't responded to conservative care. Whether it's a reasonable option for your elbow depends on your exam and ultrasound findings, which Dr. Borys reviews with you.
Why patients consider PRP for golfer's elbow
Golfer's elbow is harder to treat than its lateral counterpart. PRP gives the flexor tendon a direct biological signal to repair — something neither rest nor cortisone delivers.
A non-surgical option for chronic golfer's elbow pain
Uses your own blood — very low risk of rejection or allergic reaction
Ultrasound-guided placement directly into the injured flexor tendon
Aims to support tendon healing rather than just masking pain
Studied as an alternative to surgery for stubborn medial epicondylitis
Outpatient procedure with no incision and a short recovery
Where PRP fits: conservative care comes first
PRP is not the first thing to try for golfer's elbow. For most people, a structured, non-invasive plan should come first — and many elbows improve without any injection. PRP is best considered when those steps haven't worked.
- 1
Activity modification & load management
Reducing the repetitive gripping and wrist flexion that overloads the tendon, so it has a chance to settle.
- 2
Structured rehab (the first-line treatment)
A consistent program of eccentric and isometric wrist-flexor strengthening plus stretching is the best-supported first-line treatment, and many golfer’s elbows improve with it alone.
- 3
Bracing & supportive measures
A counterforce brace, activity pacing, and time can further offload the tendon while it recovers.
- 4
PRP for chronic, stubborn cases
When pain persists despite several months of consistent conservative care — or is too severe to begin rehab — PRP becomes a reasonable next step before considering surgery.
Why the order matters
Most golfer's elbow improves with load management and a consistent strengthening program, so that is where treatment should start. Skipping rehab in favor of an injection isn't the right move for most elbows.
Where PRP earns its place is the stubborn case: for recalcitrant medial epicondylitis, the evidence puts it on par with surgery — a compelling, lower-risk option to consider before an operation when months of conservative care haven't worked.
What to expect after a golfer's elbow PRP injection
Knowing what is normal afterward helps you support your tendon's own healing response.
Some elbow soreness is normal
Mild soreness or aching at the inner elbow for a few days is expected and is part of the healing response as the tendon responds to treatment.
Ease back into activity
Most patients rest the arm for a few days, then gradually return to normal use and any prescribed rehab following Dr. Borys’s specific guidance.
Avoid anti-inflammatories
Unless directed otherwise, avoid NSAIDs (such as ibuprofen) around the procedure, since they can blunt the healing response PRP is meant to support.
Improvement takes time
PRP for the elbow works gradually. Many patients notice clearer improvement around 4–8 weeks, with continued change over several months as the tendon heals.
Is golfer's elbow PRP right for you?
The medial elbow is less studied than the lateral side, but the evidence that exists is positive — and for recalcitrant cases the comparison to surgery is compelling. A consultation and exam determine whether PRP is the right move for your elbow.
Golfer's elbow PRP may be a good fit if you
- Have chronic golfer's elbow (medial epicondylitis) that has lasted months
- Have not had lasting relief from rest, bracing, physical therapy, or other conservative care
- Want a non-surgical option that uses your own biological material
- Can allow several weeks to months for a gradual response
Golfer's elbow PRP may not be ideal if you
- Have a brand-new strain that may still respond to rest and rehab
- Need immediate or guaranteed pain relief
- Have an active infection, certain blood or platelet disorders, or active cancer
- Cannot pause anti-inflammatory medications when advised
This list is a general guide, not medical advice. Dr. Borys will review your history, ultrasound, and goals to recommend the most appropriate option for your elbow.
Not sure if your elbow is a candidate?
Schedule an initial evaluation to review your exam findings, ultrasound, and treatment options.
The research on PRP for golfer's elbow
The evidence base for medial epicondylitis is smaller than for tennis elbow, but it points in a favorable direction. The most striking finding is that for stubborn, recalcitrant cases, PRP has produced outcomes comparable to surgery— making it a reasonable, lower-risk option to consider before an operation.
PRP Equal to Surgery for Recalcitrant Cases
Comparative study (Bohlen et al., Orthopaedic Journal of Sports Medicine, 2020) found that for recalcitrant type 1 medial epicondylitis, PRP produced clinically similar outcomes to surgery — with an earlier return to full range of motion and pain-free status.
Read on PubMedPRP as Effective as Surgery
Systematic review (Alzahrani et al., Cureus, 2022) concluding that PRP injections are just as effective as surgery in relieving pain and restoring function for medial epicondylitis, especially in the short and mid-term.
Read on PubMedPRP Effective for the Inner Elbow
Clinical outcomes study (Park et al., Orthopaedic Surgery, 2023) found that PRP injection effectively reduced pain in patients with medial epicondylitis, including when lateral and medial epicondylitis were treated at the same time.
Read on PubMedWhere Injections Fit in Management
Review of medial epicondylitis management (Tahir et al., Cureus, 2026) describing a stepped approach — rehabilitation first, targeted injections when symptoms persist, and surgery reserved for chronic, treatment-resistant disease.
Read on PubMedWhat the evidence does — and doesn't — show
Medial epicondylitis is less studied than tennis elbow, and PRP preparations differ between studies, so the research isn't perfectly uniform. The most consistent signal is that for chronic, stubborn cases, PRP performs comparably to surgical release — relieving pain and restoring function without an operation.
The practical takeaway: PRP is not a guaranteed cure, and most golfer's elbows should start with load management and rehab. But when those haven't worked, a well-prepared injection placed accurately under ultrasound guidance gives a stubborn flexor tendon a real chance to heal — and a strong alternative to weigh against surgery.
PRP vs. Cortisone for Golfer's Elbow
Patients often ask whether they should just get a cortisone shot for golfer's elbow. It's a fair question — and the honest answer comes down to short-term relief versus long-term healing.
What a cortisone shot does
A corticosteroid injection is anti-inflammatory and can ease inner-elbow pain quickly — often within days. The trade-off is that the relief is usually short-lived, recurrence is common, and repeated steroid injections may weaken the flexor tendon over time rather than help it heal.
How they compare over time
Cortisone tends to win in the first few weeks, but its benefit fades and the problem often returns. PRP works more slowly and aims to heal the tendon itself — and for recalcitrant medial epicondylitis, studies put its durable outcomes on par with surgery rather than a temporary fix.
Golfer's Elbow PRP in Bellingham & Whatcom County
Dr. Borys treats chronic golfer's and tennis elbow from his Bellingham clinic, working with tradespeople, gym-goers, and desk workers across Whatcom County whose grip and forearm strength have been sidelined by tendon pain. Ultrasound-guided regenerative care like this is hard to find locally, so patients also drive in from Skagit County, the San Juan Islands, and across the border in British Columbia. If your inner elbow has stayed sore despite rest, a counterforce strap, and physical therapy, an in-person evaluation is the place to start.
PRP for Golfer's Elbow: Common Questions
Does PRP actually work for golfer's elbow?
For chronic golfer's elbow (medial epicondylitis) that has not responded to rest, bracing, and physical therapy, the evidence is genuinely positive. Studies — including a comparison published in the Orthopaedic Journal of Sports Medicine — have found that for recalcitrant medial epicondylitis, a PRP injection produced clinical outcomes comparable to surgery, with an earlier return to full range of motion and pain-free status. A systematic review reached the same conclusion: PRP is just as effective as surgery for relieving pain and restoring function.
PRP works gradually by supporting the tendon's own healing response rather than simply masking pain, and it tends to help most in long-standing tendon problems rather than a brand-new strain. The evidence base for the inner elbow is smaller than for tennis elbow, but what exists points in a favorable direction.
How is PRP different from a cortisone shot for golfer's elbow?
They work in opposite ways. A cortisone (corticosteroid) injection is anti-inflammatory and can ease pain quickly, but the relief is usually short-lived, recurrence is common, and repeated steroid injections may weaken the flexor tendon over time.
PRP works more slowly because it aims to support tendon healing rather than suppress inflammation. For medial epicondylitis specifically, the appeal of PRP is durability — studies suggest it can rival surgery for stubborn cases, whereas a steroid shot tends to be a temporary fix. The two approaches solve different problems, and which one fits depends on how chronic your elbow is.
How many PRP injections will my golfer's elbow need?
Many medial epicondylitis cases respond to a single, accurately placed PRP injection, though some patients benefit from a second treatment depending on how the tendon responds.
The right plan depends on how chronic and severe the tendon changes are on exam and ultrasound. Dr. Borys reassesses your progress over the following weeks and recommends a repeat injection only when it is likely to add meaningful benefit.
How soon will my elbow feel better, and how long does it last?
PRP is a gradual process, not an instant fix. Mild soreness at the inner elbow for a few days afterward is normal and is part of the healing response. Many patients begin noticing clearer improvement around 4–8 weeks, with continued gains over three to six months as the tendon heals.
When PRP is effective for golfer's elbow, the benefit tends to be durable because it supports actual tendon healing rather than temporarily quieting inflammation. In studies of recalcitrant medial epicondylitis, PRP produced lasting outcomes on par with surgical release.
Is PRP for golfer's elbow covered by insurance in Bellingham?
PRP is not covered by insurance and is an out-of-pocket expense, as most plans still classify it as investigational. The initial evaluation, however, is a standard office visit that may be billed through insurance depending on your individual plan and coverage.
Dr. Borys offers PRP for golfer’s elbow in Bellingham, WA, serving patients throughout Whatcom County and the surrounding region. Pricing and whether PRP is clinically appropriate for your elbow are reviewed at your initial visit.
Ready to address your golfer's elbow at the source?
It starts with an initial visit to evaluate your elbow and discuss whether PRP is the right option for your golfer's elbow — a standard medical evaluation that may be billed through insurance depending on your individual plan and coverage.