Regenerative Medicine for the Elbow

Evidence for use of orthobiologics about the elbow and surrounding structures varies widely based on each specific pathology. There is strong evidence for the use of platelet-rich plasma (PRP) to treat lateral epicondylitis (LE), and current literature supports that leukocyte-rich platelet-rich plasma (LR-PRP) is superior to leukocyte-poor PRP (LP-PRP) in this disease process. There is little data for the use of orthobiologics to treat medial epicondylitis despite the fact that the pathophysiology is assumed to be similar to LE. There is promising evidence for use of PRP to treat ulnar collateral ligament (UCL) injuries but studies thus far have not utilized a control group. Data regarding use of PRP in distal biceps tendinopathy is limited.