Elbow, Wrist and Hand Pain Treatment in Glastonbury, CT

Authored and medically reviewed by Paul D. Tortland, DO, FAOASM, CAQSM, RMSK. Last reviewed October 2026.

Written and clinically reviewed by

Paul D. Tortland, DO, FAOASM, CAQSM, RMSK

Dr. Paul Tortland, DO is a non-surgical orthopedic & sports medicine physician specializing in regenerative orthopedics and surgical alternative treatment. He is dual board-certified in Sports Medicine & Osteopathic Manipulative Medicine (OMM) and Regenerative Medicine, Fellowship-trained in Sports Medicine. He became the first physician in the world to earn board certification in Regenerative Medicine in 2015. Diplomate, American Board of Regenerative Medicine (ABRM), 2015. Registered in Musculoskeletal Ultrasound (RMSK).

Last clinically reviewed

October 2026

Quick answer

Dr. Paul Tortland, DO, is a dual board certified non-surgical orthopedic and sports medicine physician in Glastonbury, CT. He finds the cause of elbow, wrist and hand pain with live ultrasound and treats tendon pain and nerve compression with targeted injections and regenerative options, so many patients avoid or delay surgery.

Treatments: non-surgical care built on an exact diagnosis. Options include hydrodissection for nerve compression such as carpal tunnel, prolotherapy, and regenerative treatments such as PRP, BMAC and MFAT for tendon and joint problems.

Who it fits: people with tennis elbow, carpal tunnel syndrome, thumb or wrist pain who want to try something before surgery. Severe or progressive nerve damage gets a surgeon referral.

What is different: 30+ years in practice, UConn Associate Clinical Professor, U.S. Figure Skating team physician since 2003, and Dr. Tortland performs every evaluation and injection himself. About Dr. Tortland.

Thinking about surgery?

Most elbow, wrist and hand problems respond to non-surgical care first. See how we help you weigh that decision on our Alternatives to Orthopedic Surgery guide →

Most common conditions

Tennis elbow, carpal tunnel, thumb arthritis

Diagnosis method

Live, dynamic ultrasound examination

Non-surgical options

PRP, BMA, MFAT, hydrodissection, prolotherapy

Return to activity

Usually within days; depends on treatment

First results

PRP weeks 4 to 10 by area; BMAC or MFAT weeks 6 to 16

Who treats you

Dr. Tortland personally, every visit

When surgery is right

Complete tendon rupture or severe nerve compression

Insurance

Out of network, direct pay

Conditions treated Non-surgical vs. surgery FAQ

Indications

Elbow, Wrist and Hand Conditions Treated in Glastonbury, CT

The elbow, wrist, and hand conditions seen most often in this practice, treated without surgery whenever the evidence and the ultrasound findings support it.

Comparison

How Non-Surgical Elbow, Wrist and Hand Care Compares With Other Treatments

Option

What it does

Duration of benefit

Tissue impact

OptionHyaluronic acid (gel)

What it doesUsed selectively for arthritic joints such as the thumb base, guided by ultrasound.

Duration of benefitVaries by person.

Tissue impactDoes not rebuild cartilage.

OptionProlotherapy or Prolozone

What it doesTargets loose ligaments and irritated tendon attachments in the elbow, wrist and hand.

Duration of benefitBuilds over a series of visits.

Tissue impactAims to support ligament and tendon healing.

OptionPRP

What it doesConcentrates your own platelets and places them in the damaged tendon under ultrasound, as in tennis elbow.

Duration of benefitOften 6 to 12 months or more in responders.

Tissue impactSupports repair signals rather than masking pain.

OptionStem cells (BMAC and MFAT)

What it doesUses cells from your own bone marrow or fat for stubborn tendon problems or arthritic joints.

Duration of benefitCan last a year or longer in responders.

Tissue impactBiologic support for damaged tissue, not a replacement joint.

OptionHydrodissection

What it doesFrees compressed nerves, such as the median nerve in carpal tunnel, with fluid under ultrasound.

Duration of benefitRelief often starts quickly and may need repeating.

Tissue impactReleases nerves from surrounding scar and tight tissue.

OptionSurgery

What it doesRemoves or replaces structure

Duration of benefitLong-term, definitive for the right case

Tissue impactStructural change with recovery cost

Why Dr. Tortland

Why See Dr. Tortland Before Choosing Surgery

Dr. Tortland is a dual board certified sports medicine physician who has practiced since 1995. He performs every evaluation and injection himself under live ultrasound, and in 2015 he became the first physician in the world certified in regenerative medicine. If your nerve or tendon problem needs a surgeon, he will tell you and refer you.

Read more about Dr. Tortland, see the guides to tennis elbow and carpal tunnel syndrome, or learn when alternatives to orthopedic surgery make sense.

Frequently asked

Elbow, Wrist and Hand FAQs

Does PRP work for tennis elbow?

It may help. The American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons calls the research mixed, and a 2026 review found steroid shots relieve pain faster while PRP looked better after about six months. Dr. Tortland places PRP or PRP Supershot into the damaged tendon under live ultrasound. In his experience relief can last a year or more for many patients. Results vary, and some people need a repeat treatment.

How long does tennis elbow take to heal?

Most people recover without surgery, though healing time varies. The American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons says roughly 80 to 95 percent of patients succeed with non-surgical care, and golfer's elbow is treated the same way. Rest from aggravating activity, forearm strengthening and a brace come first. If pain lasts beyond a few months, ultrasound-guided PRP, shockwave (ESWT) or prolotherapy can be added. Surgery is considered when symptoms last 6 to 12 months despite treatment.

Can carpal tunnel syndrome be treated without surgery, and what is hydrodissection?

Often, yes. Night splints, nerve-gliding exercises and activity changes are standard first steps. Hydrodissection is an ultrasound-guided injection that frees the median nerve from surrounding tissue. It is quick, has no incision, and carries none of the risks of surgery, so for many patients it is a reasonable option to try first. Constant numbness, thumb muscle weakness or severe nerve damage still calls for a surgical opinion.

What non-surgical treatments are available for elbow, wrist and hand pain?

Treatment depends on the cause, found with a full exam and ultrasound. Tennis elbow, golfer's elbow, De Quervain's tenosynovitis, trigger finger and thumb arthritis are all evaluated. Options include PRP, PRP Supershot, prolotherapy, Prolozone, intraosseous injections, joint injections, hyaluronic acid, shockwave (ESWT), hydrodissection, and BMA or MFAT using your own cells and FDA-cleared devices. Surgery is saved for when these stop working.

How much does elbow, wrist and hand treatment cost, and is it covered by insurance?

Dr. Tortland is out of network with all insurance plans and offers direct-pay care so every visit can be unrushed and comprehensive. The initial evaluation and comprehensive diagnostic workup is $500. PRP treatment starts at $1,800. Follow-up is typically 6 weeks to 3 months after treatment.

Written and clinically reviewed by

Paul D. Tortland, DO, FAOASM, CAQSM, RMSK

Last clinically reviewed

October 2026

Sources

Sources and Further Reading on Elbow, Wrist and Hand Treatment

Mulvaney SW, Tortland PD, Shiple B, Curtis K. Regenerative medicine options for chronic musculoskeletal conditions: a review of the literature. Endurance and Sports Medicine. 2018.

Belk JW, Kraeutler MJ, Houck DA, Goodrich JA, Dragoo JL, McCarty EC. Platelet-Rich Plasma Versus Hyaluronic Acid for Knee Osteoarthritis: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials. Am J Sports Med. 2021;49(1):249-260.

Filardo G, Kon E, Buda R, Timoncini A, Di Martino A, Cenacchi A, Fornasari PM, Giannini S, Marcacci M. Platelet-rich plasma intra-articular knee injections for the treatment of degenerative cartilage lesions and osteoarthritis. Knee Surg Sports Traumatol Arthrosc. 2011;19(4):528-535.

Hernigou P, Bouthors C, Bastard C, Flouzat Lachaniette CH, Rouard H, Dubory A. Subchondral bone or intra-articular injection of bone marrow concentrate mesenchymal stem cells in bilateral knee osteoarthritis: what better postpones knee arthroplasty at fifteen years? Int Orthop. 2021;45(2):391-399.

Oeding JF, Varady NH, Fearington FW, et al. Platelet-Rich Plasma Versus Alternative Injections for Osteoarthritis of the Knee: A Systematic Review and Statistical Fragility Index-Based Meta-analysis. Am J Sports Med. 2024;52(12):3147-3160.

Pintore A, Notarfrancesco D, Zara A, Oliviero A, Migliorini F, Oliva F, Maffulli N. Intra-articular injection of bone marrow aspirate concentrate (BMAC) or adipose-derived stem cells (ADSCs) for knee osteoarthritis: a prospective comparative clinical trial. J Orthop Surg Res. 2023;18:350.