Tennis elbow and other overuse tendinopathies are usually managed conservatively, with relative rest, activity adjustment, and targeted rehabilitation. PRP is considered in selected cases, with the caveat that its evidence is variable.
What are overuse tendinopathies?
Tennis elbow (epicondylitis), shoulder tendinitis, or Achilles tendonitis appear when a tendon is repeatedly overloaded and its repair capacity is unable to compensate for the effort. The typical symptom is localized pain that increases with use of the area and improves with rest. Initial management is conservative: identifying and adjusting the activity that caused the overload, controlling pain and, above all, a targeted rehabilitation program that progressively loads the tendon [11].
And the PRP?
In some tendinopathies, platelet-rich plasma is considered as an option within a plan that includes rehabilitation. It is advisable to be honest: its evidence is variable depending on the condition and preparation—in knee osteoarthritis, for example, some studies show improvement in pain [3] while a reference trial found no benefit over placebo [4]—so it is not proposed as a guaranteed solution, but rather as an option to be evaluated on a case-by-case basis.
Why tendinopathies require patience
Tendons adapt and repair more slowly than other tissues, so tendinopathy rarely resolves overnight. The mainstay of treatment is a progressive tendon loading program, which stimulates its recovery in a controlled manner, and requires consistency for weeks [11]. Looking for shortcuts—prolonged total rest or, on the contrary, putting up with the pain by training the same way—usually worsens the condition.
What to expect from the valuation
During the consultation, which tendon is affected is identified, other causes of pain are ruled out, and the activity that generated the overload is adjusted. From there, a plan is defined that almost always has rehabilitation as a basis, and in which options such as PRP are considered only if the case justifies it, with realistic expectations [3][4]. It is advisable to go if tendon pain persists despite rest, reappears every time activity is resumed, or limits daily tasks.
Keep reading
References
- 1.Bensa A, et al. PRP Injections for Knee Osteoarthritis: A Meta-Analysis of RCTs. Am J Sports Med. 2025;53(3):745-754.
- 2.Bennell KL, et al. Intra-articular PRP vs Placebo (RESTORE). JAMA. 2021;326(20):2021-2030.
- 3.Herring SA, et al. Team Physician Consensus Statement. Med Sci Sports Exerc. 2024;56(3):385-401.
Educational content with clinical review by Dr. Andrea Pintor. It does not replace an individual medical evaluation.