PRP for Tendon Injuries: Tennis Elbow, Achilles, and Rotator Cuff

How tendon injuries are different

Tendons have a limited blood supply, which is why they heal much more slowly than muscle. An injured tendon can become a long-standing problem, especially with the repetitive strain of sports, physical work, or everyday activity. On Oahu, tennis and paddle sports, running, hiking, and paddling all put repeated load on the elbows, heels, and shoulders.

Tennis elbow (lateral epicondylitis)

Tennis elbow is irritation of the tendons on the outside of the elbow, usually from overuse. The evidence for PRP here is among the most encouraging in the regenerative field. A 2025 meta-analysis of randomized trials found that while corticosteroid injections gave faster short-term relief, PRP produced significantly better pain relief and function over the long term, beyond six months. For people whose elbow pain has persisted for months, that durability is often exactly what matters.

“Corticosteroids provided faster short-term relief, but PRP produced significantly better long-term pain relief and functional scores for lateral epicondylitis, with the advantage emerging beyond six months.”

Achilles tendinopathy

The evidence for the Achilles tendon is more mixed. Some reviews report significant pain reduction and functional improvement, while others, including a 2025 meta-analysis in Clinical Orthopaedics and Related Research, found no clear advantage over control treatments. In practice, PRP may help some people with Achilles problems, but it is not a guaranteed answer, and a structured rehabilitation program is usually the foundation of care.

Rotator cuff tendinopathy

For the shoulder, a 2025 systematic review of roughly 30 randomized trials found that PRP can provide meaningful short-term pain relief, but evidence for a long-term advantage over other treatments is limited. Regenerative options can still play a supporting role in a shoulder recovery plan, which is exactly why a thorough evaluation should come before any decision.

Who might reasonably consider PRP

• Chronic tendon pain that has persisted despite structured rehabilitation
• A diagnosis confirmed by physical examination and, commonly, imaging such as ultrasound or MRI
• No partial or full tear or other structural problem that needs different care
• Realistic expectations that PRP supports healing over weeks and months, rather than working overnight

What a PRP tendon visit here involves

At Aloha Stem Cell, a tendon consultation starts with a conversation and a focused physical exam, with imaging reviewed if you have it. Treatment draws a small amount of your own blood, concentrates the platelets in a centrifuge, and injects them into the affected area under local numbing, typically in a single outpatient visit. You leave with a recovery plan, follow-up guidance, and a number to call with questions.