Pain Management Procedures
Elbow Tendonitis Injection
Elbow Tendonitis Injection
What is it?
“Tennis elbow” and “golfer's elbow” usually involve degeneration and irritation where forearm tendons attach to the outside or inside of the elbow. An injection targets the painful tendon attachment or nearby tissue. The material used may be corticosteroid, PRP, or another selected treatment; these are not interchangeable and have different evidence and recovery expectations.
When may it be recommended?
Injection may be considered when activity changes, bracing, medication, and a progressive exercise or therapy program have not provided enough improvement. The diagnosis should be confirmed because nerve compression, arthritis, and referred neck pain can mimic elbow tendinopathy.
What happens?
The painful area is identified by examination and often ultrasound. After sterile preparation and numbing, a needle is placed at or around the diseased tendon. PRP requires drawing and processing a small amount of your blood before injection. Some procedures use controlled needle passes to stimulate healing.
What should I expect?
Postprocedure soreness is common, particularly with PRP or needling. Activity restrictions and the timing of therapy depend on the treatment used. Steroid injection may improve pain quickly but can have less favorable recurrence or long-term tendon effects in some studies; PRP often has a slower recovery and uncertain insurance coverage.
Important risks
Risks include bleeding, infection, skin or fat changes, temporary pain flare, nerve irritation, and tendon weakening or rupture - especially with repeated steroid exposure. No injection replaces gradual load management and strengthening when those are appropriate.
Preparing for your injection procedure…
Your instructions will depend on the procedure. Before any injection, tell the APG team if you:
Take aspirin, warfarin, clopidogrel, apixaban, rivaroxaban, or another medicine or supplement that affects bleeding. Never stop a prescribed blood thinner unless the clinician who manages it and the procedure team tell you how to do so safely.
Have diabetes, glaucoma, a bleeding disorder, an active infection, fever, or recent antibiotic treatment.
Could be pregnant, have an allergy to contrast dye or local anesthetic, or have reacted to steroid injections before.
Use an implanted pacemaker, defibrillator, spinal cord stimulator, or other electrical device.
Some procedures require fasting, a medication adjustment, or a responsible adult to drive you home, especially when sedation is planned. Follow the instructions provided for your specific appointment.
After your injection procedure…
Most injections are outpatient procedures. Mild soreness, bruising, temporary numbness, or a brief increase in the usual pain can occur. Follow the activity and bandage instructions you receive. Steroid medicine may take several days to have an effect and can temporarily raise blood sugar.
Call the office promptly for increasing redness, drainage, fever, severe or rapidly worsening pain, or new numbness or weakness. Seek emergency care for trouble breathing, chest pain, sudden loss of bladder or bowel control, a severe new headache, loss of vision, stroke-like symptoms, or rapidly progressing weakness.
This information is for general education and does not replace medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Not every procedure is appropriate for every patient, and results vary. Your APG care team will review your symptoms, examination, imaging, medical history, medications, and prior treatment before recommending a plan. Coverage requirements also vary by insurance plan.