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PRP & BMAC Injections for Elbow Tendonitis — The SIGMA Regenerative Approach

A Smarter, More Natural Path to Healing Your Elbow

At SIGMA Orthopedics & Sports Medicine, we recognize that chronic elbow tendon pain — from conditions like tennis elbow, golfer’s elbow, or chronic tendinopathy — can not only limit your performance, but also affect quality of life: from everyday tasks to work, hobbies, or sports. Rather than relying solely on pain pills, steroid shots, or surgery, our Regenerative Medicine program offers a more natural, biologic-driven pathway aimed at healing the tendon — not just masking pain.

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Understanding Orthobiologics for Lateral Epicondylitis — A SIGMA Treatment Overview

Tennis elbow — also known as lateral epicondylitis or tendinopathy — is one of the most common and frustrating causes of elbow pain. It’s not simply “inflammation.” In many patients, the tendon fibers at the outside of the elbow weaken over time, losing strength, flexibility, and the ability to heal on their own.

At SIGMA Orthopedics & Sports Medicine, we treat this condition using a precise, data-driven, and biologically intelligent approach. Rather than relying on repeated steroid injections or long periods of rest, we use advanced orthobiologic treatments like PRP or BMAC to stimulate real tendon repair at the cellular level — helping patients return to work, sport, and daily life with restored strength and durability.

This short video walks you step-by-step through:

  • What actually happens inside the tendon during lateral epicondylitis
  • Why traditional treatments often fail to fix the underlying problem
  • How orthobiologics can activate the body’s natural healing response
  • Where these treatments fit inside the SIGMA 100-Day Success Pathway
  • How we pair biologic treatment with targeted rehab to rebuild tendon strength

If you’re struggling with persistent elbow pain, stiffness, or weakness — or if physical therapy and injections haven’t fully helped — this video will give you a clear look inside the SIGMA method and how we personalize regenerative care to help you get better, faster.

What Are PRP and BMAC?

Explain each therapy clearly:

PRP (Platelet-Rich Plasma)

A small sample of the patient’s blood is drawn, then centrifuged to concentrate platelets and growth factors. This concentrate is injected into or around the injured tendon. Platelets release growth factors that can accelerate tissue healing and reduce inflammation.

BMAC (Bone Marrow Aspirate Concentrate):

Bone marrow (typically from the iliac crest/hip bone) is aspirated under sterile conditions, then processed to concentrate mesenchymal stem cells and growth factors. The resulting BMAC is then injected under imaging guidance (ultrasound or fluoroscopy) to the injured area.

Why Use PRP or BMAC for Elbow Tendonitis?

Outline the rationale and potential benefits:

  • For chronic or degenerative tendon damage (not just acute inflammation), PRP/BMAC may help stimulate healing and restore tendon health.
  • Can be an option when conservative care (rest, physical therapy, bracing, etc.) fails — potentially delaying or avoiding surgery.
  • Minimally invasive with relatively low downtime compared to open surgery.
  • May offer longer-lasting pain relief compared to simple injections of steroids or other symptomatic treatments (though results vary by patient and condition). 
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What to Expect: Procedure & Recovery

Give patients a clear “what happens” walkthrough:

1. Procedure

Local anesthesia (or light sedation), sterile preparation, ultrasound-guided injection of PRP or BMAC into/around the tendon. The whole procedure is typically done in-office and takes under an hour.

2. Post-Injection Care

  • Rest & avoid heavy use of the elbow for a short period (usually a few days).
  • Use of ice or elevation as needed; mild pain or swelling is common and usually transient.
  • Physical therapy: gradually begin guided rehab to restore strength and tendon resilience.
  • Avoid anti-inflammatory medications (NSAIDs) for a set period before and after the injection, as they may interfere with platelet/stem-cell function.

3. Expected Timeline & Outcomes

While individual results vary, many patients begin to notice gradual improvement in pain, function, and strength over several weeks to a few months. Full benefit may take 8–12 weeks.

Limitations, Risks & Fair Expectations (Transparency Matters)

  • Not every patient responds — regenerative injections may not fully “regenerate” tendon tissue, and many studies (especially outside of arthroplasty or joint/cartilage) show variable results. (E.g. for joint arthritis, some data show PRP outperforms steroids over time, but BMAC hasn’t consistently proven superior to PRP.)
  • Possible side effects: temporary pain or swelling at injection site, risk of infection, bleeding, nerve or vessel irritation (rare).
  • Healing is gradual — this is not a “quick fix.” Patients must commit to rehab, activity modification, and possibly multiple sessions depending on chronicity/response.
  • BMAC may not be suitable for everyone (e.g., patients with bone marrow disorders or certain systemic diseases) — screening and candidacy assessment is needed.
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Who Is a Good Candidate?

Define the ideal patient profile to guide referrals / patient self-screening:

Doctor explaining to a patient who is a candidate for MACI knee cartilage treatment.
  • Patients with chronic tendonitis / tendinosis of the elbow (e.g. lateral or medial epicondylitis) that has not improved after 3–6 months of conservative therapy (PT, bracing, ergonomic/work-modification, rest)
  • Patients with degenerative tendon changes on imaging or clinical exam, but without full tendon rupture (which might need surgical repair)
  • Adults with reasonable overall health, good bone marrow quality (for BMAC), no active infection or systemic illness that contraindicates injection or marrow aspiration
  • Patients willing to comply with post-injection rehab and follow-up

Why Choose Our Practice for PRP / BMAC?

Leverage credentials, brand (SIGMA), and unique approach:

  • Board-certified sports orthopedic surgeon experienced in both traditional orthopedic surgery and regenerative therapies
  • Ultrasound-guided injection techniques for precision and safety
  • Personalized treatment plans: combining regenerative injections with physical therapy, biomechanics / ergonomic/work modifications, and ongoing follow-up
  • Part of a broader evidence-based, outcomes-driven care model (in line with SIGMA’s principles of data-driven care, surgical risk-reduction mindset, and patient-first philosophy)
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FAQs

PRP (Platelet-Rich Plasma) is made from your blood and uses concentrated platelets to support healing, while BMAC (Bone Marrow Aspirate Concentrate) comes from bone marrow and contains both growth factors and stem cells. This makes BMAC a stronger regenerative option compared to PRP.
Most patients with elbow tendonitis typically need one to two injections for noticeable improvement. The exact number depends on the severity of the condition and how well your body responds to the treatment.
Most patients experience only mild to moderate discomfort during a PRP or BMAC injection. The area is usually numbed beforehand, and any soreness afterward is temporary and typically resolves within a few days.
Most patients can return to light work and daily activities within a few days after the injection. However, sports, heavy lifting, and strenuous exercise usually require a gradual return, often starting after 2–6 weeks, depending on healing progress and your provider’s guidance.
Regenerative injections like PRP and BMAC are usually not covered by insurance, as most providers consider them experimental. This means patients typically pay out-of-pocket unless their specific insurance plan states otherwise.
If you don’t improve after PRP or BMAC, your provider may recommend additional regenerative treatments, physical therapy, targeted imaging, or alternative options like corticosteroid injections or surgery, depending on the severity of your condition and how your body responds.
Meet Dr. Frank Mccormick, MD
SIGMA ORTHOPEDIC MD
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