Stem Cell Therapy for Elbow Pain

Many people don’t think about their elbows until they experience pain or discomfort. Elbow pain can be very frustrating because you use your elbow in many ways, normally without even thinking about it. 

The elbow is a complex joint that allows you to extend, flex, and rotate your hand and forearm. When your elbow sustains damage, everyday tasks may cause pain because most movements are a combination of these actions.

Regenerative orthopedic physician Bruce Fishman, MD, MPH, FICS, provides innovative treatments for musculoskeletal pain at Dr. Stem Cell in Encino, California. Whether arthritis, injury, or overuse is the cause of your elbow pain, Dr. Fishman can get to the root of the problem and put together an effective treatment plan to help you get relief with stem cell therapy. 

The elbow joint

Your elbow enables rotational movement as well as flexing and extending your hand and forearm. It’s a complex hinge joint in which your upper arm bone meets your forearm bones. Damage to the elbow can cause symptoms such as pain, swelling, numbness, tingling, weakness, and reduced range of motion.

A combination of rest, ice therapy, and over-the-counter pain relievers is often enough to provide relief from minor elbow pain. However, elbow pain doesn’t always improve without treatment. It is best to see an orthopedic doctor for evaluation if:

• Elbow pain worsens over time
• Pain fails to improve with self-care
• You feel pain when you don't use your arm
• Normal everyday activities cause pain
• Your elbow or arm has a limited range of motion

You should also come in for an evaluation if you have elbow pain that seems to resolve but then returns.

Common causes of elbow pain

Activities that require repetitive use are the most common reason behind elbow pain. These activities can include anything from playing tennis (tennis elbow) or golf (golfer's elbow) to scanning items at a cash register. Other common causes are:

• Arthritis: The two most common types of arthritis that can cause pain in your elbow are rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis
• Bursitis: An inflammation of the bursa, a fluid-filled cavity that cushions and prevents friction in the joint
• Tendonitis: A condition in which the tendons become inflamed and irritated, often as a result of repetitive motions and overuse
• Cubital tunnel syndrome: Compression or irritation of the ulnar nerve in your arm where it passes through the elbow
• Dislocated elbow: Usually the result of a blow to the elbow or a fall in which you land on your hand; children lifted (or swung) by their forearms may suffer a dislocated elbow
• Sprains: Occur when the ligaments that hold a joint together are torn or stretched

A precise diagnosis is necessary prior to stem cell treatment. To evaluate your elbow pain, Dr. Fishman thoroughly reviews your medical history, conducts a physical examination, and discusses your symptoms. To identify damaged areas of the elbow, Dr. Fishman may use high-tech imagery and ultrasound.

Stem cell therapy relieves elbow pain

Stem cell therapy is a major advancement in orthopedic medicine. It involves using specialized cells to stimulate and accelerate healing. Collecting and preparing your stem cells and platelet-rich plasma (PRP) is the first step in your stem cell therapy. 

The team at Dr. Stem Cell retrieves stem cells from your own body, including a specific type known as mesenchymal stem cells, which repair and regenerate. Adult mesenchymal stem cells can become a number of important cells, including cartilage, ligament, tendon, bone, muscle, and fat cells. 

In addition to stem cells, we use platelet-rich plasma from your blood. Platelets secrete growth factors that help your elbow recover by signaling stem cells to flood the area and kick-start healing and regeneration. PRP injections and stem cell therapy improve joint function and reduce elbow discomfort.

Regenerative medicine addresses the root of your pain by reducing inflammation, enhancing healing, and stimulating regrowth. The result is pain relief and improved functioning. 

To learn more about stem cell therapy and how it can bring you pain relief, book an appointment online or over the phone with Dr. Fishman today.