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Comparing cortisone and PRP
| Cortisone (corticosteroid) | PRP | |
|---|---|---|
| How it works | Suppresses inflammation | Growth factors from your own blood influence inflammation and healing |
| When it starts working | Within a few days | After 2–6 weeks |
| How long it lasts | Usually a few weeks | In knee osteoarthritis — up to 6–12 months in studies, but not in everyone |
| Frequent injections | Not advisable: with repeated knee injections cartilage thinned faster | Usually a course of 1–3 injections |
| Tendons | Short relief; in tennis elbow more recurrences after a year | Mixed evidence |
| Cost | Low, often covered by insurance | Higher, usually self-paid |
When cortisone is reasonable
- A severe inflammatory flare — for example swelling and pain in osteoarthritis that stop you walking or exercising.
- Bursitis, tenosynovitis, frozen shoulder in the painful phase.
- Inflammatory joint diseases, as prescribed by a rheumatologist.
- When pain needs to come down quickly so rehabilitation can start.
Usually no more than 3–4 injections into one joint per year are recommended. If cortisone stops helping, it is a reason to review the diagnosis and plan — for example with a second opinion.
Scientific evidence
Studies and guidelines this comparison is based on:
- McAlindon TE et al. Effect of intra-articular triamcinolone vs saline on knee cartilage volume and pain in patients with knee osteoarthritis: a randomized clinical trial. JAMA, 2017.
- Coombes BK et al. Efficacy and safety of corticosteroid injections and other injections for management of tendinopathy: a systematic review of randomised controlled trials. Lancet, 2010.
- Belk JW et al. Platelet-rich plasma versus hyaluronic acid for knee osteoarthritis: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Am J Sports Med, 2021.
- Bannuru RR et al. OARSI guidelines for the non-surgical management of knee, hip, and polyarticular osteoarthritis. Osteoarthritis Cartilage, 2019.
Frequently asked questions about cortisone and PRP
Does cortisone destroy the joint?
A single injection does not. In a trial with knee injections every 3 months for 2 years, cartilage thinned slightly faster than with saline, and pain did not improve more.
Can PRP be done after cortisone?
Yes, but a gap of several weeks is usually kept. The clinic doctor will name the exact interval.
Which is better for knee osteoarthritis?
Guidelines accept cortisone for short flares. In several studies PRP gave a longer effect, but the evidence is moderate and not all guidelines recommend it.
Which injection is better for tennis elbow?
Cortisone gives relief for a few weeks, but there are more recurrences after a year. Exercise is the basis of treatment; PRP is an option for long-lasting pain.
How can RegenPAS help?
RegenPAS is a patient service centre in Munich, not a clinic. We review your images and symptoms and send a request to several partner clinics at once. Clinics that can accept you send their own conditions and price; prices differ between clinics, and you choose the option that suits you. The coordinator replies within 24 hours, and a clinic physician’s preliminary opinion follows in 1–3 business days. We then arrange the appointment, visa invitation, interpreter, transfers and accommodation. Treatment decisions are made by the clinic physician. Contact a coordinator.
Have you been offered an injection? Send your images — we will check options with several clinics
Send your MRI or ultrasound and describe where and when it hurts. The coordinator replies within 24 hours; a clinic physician gives an opinion in 1–3 business days.
Send images