How Orthobiologics Works to Relieve Elbow Pain

The elbow is a vital part of how we get things done and move through various daily activities. When it’s functioning correctly, you hardly give it a thought. But, when an elbow injury or pain becomes a reality, little else becomes important. If you’re struggling with constant elbow pain, you may be able to get relief through something called orthobiologics, a form of treatment that harnesses natural substances from our own bodies such as cells, tissue, blood components, and growth factors to promote healing.

What causes elbow pain?

The elbow is a “hinge” joint made up of three bones - the humerus, radius, and ulna. Muscles, tendons, and ligaments hold the joint together, and cartilage provides shock absorption to protect the bones from impact. Elbow pain is common for people of all ages. It is usually caused by repetitive stress and strain or injury. Those bones can become dislocated, muscles and tendons strained, and cartilage can deteriorate over time.

How orthobiologics can help relieve elbow pain

There are many conventional treatments for elbow pain, such as NSAIDs, corticosteroid injections, physiotherapy, and surgery. Some of these therapies may be effective for pain relief, but others may not give you the results you want and need. Another option to consider is orthobiologics for the relief of elbow pain.

A form of regenerative medicine, orthobiologics are minimally invasive therapies that involve using your body’s own healing properties to restore function, promote healing, and relieve pain. The main types of orthobiologics used for these purposes include:

• Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP) Injections — PRP is drawn from the patient’s blood and concentrated to create healing plasma and platelet components.
• Bone Marrow Concentrate (BMC) Injections — Our bone marrow contains many biologically active elements like growth factors and cytokines and stem cells that can be harnessed to promote healing.

BMC generally has the greatest potential to promote healing, either as an alternative to surgery or for the treatment of injuries. The type of treatment your doctor recommends will depend on your particular condition and goals.

Elbow injuries and conditions orthobiologics can benefit

Regenerative medicine has the potential to relieve elbow pain related to a wide range of elbow conditions and injuries, including:

• Osteoarthritis — This is a condition where the joint cartilage and underlying bone in the elbow degenerate, resulting in pain and stiffness in the joint.
• Tennis elbow — Repetitive motion, not necessarily from tennis, can overload the joint’s tendons and lead to pain and tenderness.
• Golfer’s elbow — Also known as medial epicondylitis, golfer’s elbow refers to damaged tendons and muscles that control the wrist and fingers due to repetitive stress. It also leads to a stiff and painful elbow.
• Dislocation or instability — Injuries and overuse can lead to elbow dislocation and instability and pain in the joint during certain arm movements.

Other common elbow conditions that cause pain include sprains and strains, bursitis, and tendonitis.

Find out if you’re a candidate to relieve elbow pain with orthobiologics

If you have chronic and bothersome elbow pain, you don’t have live with the discomfort that limits your activities and enjoyment of life. Orthobiologics are minimally invasive therapies that can potentially provide lasting relief and improved function, with recovery time that is much shorter than surgical intervention.

Dr. Buford of Texas Orthobiologics is a board-certified orthopedic surgeon who is the authority on orthobiologics in the Dallas/Fort Worth area. Contact our office today to find out if you are a candidate for this groundbreaking therapy.