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Injections and surgery compared
| Injections (PRP, cell preparations) | Surgery | |
|---|---|---|
| What they do | Influence inflammation and pain | Remove the mechanical cause: repair, remove, replace, free a nerve |
| Where used | Early and moderate osteoarthritis, chronic tendinopathies | Tears, locked joints, nerve compression with increasing weakness, severe osteoarthritis |
| Recovery | Usually a few days | Weeks or months |
| Risks | Small: pain, swelling, rarely infection | Depend on the operation: infection, thrombosis, anaesthesia complications |
| Evidence | Moderate for PRP in osteoarthritis, limited for cell preparations | Good for many operations, but some (e.g. arthroscopy for a worn meniscus) are no better than exercise |
How to decide
- First understand the cause of pain: what the images show and whether it matches the symptoms.
- If surgery is needed for mechanical reasons, injections only postpone it.
- If surgery is proposed “just in case”, a second opinion is useful.
- Ask each clinic what result it expects and what happens if the method does not help.
We send your images to several clinics — both those that operate and those that offer injections — and help you compare their recommendations. See also conservative treatment or surgery.
Scientific evidence
Studies and guidelines this comparison is based on:
- Sihvonen R et al. Arthroscopic partial meniscectomy versus sham surgery for a degenerative meniscal tear. N Engl J Med, 2013.
- Bannuru RR et al. OARSI guidelines for the non-surgical management of knee, hip, and polyarticular osteoarthritis. Osteoarthritis Cartilage, 2019.
- Pas HI et al. Stem cell injections in knee osteoarthritis: a systematic review of the literature. Br J Sports Med, 2017.
Frequently asked questions about injections instead of surgery
Can injections help avoid joint replacement?
In severe osteoarthritis with constant pain — usually not. In early stages injections sometimes help to postpone the decision.
Will cells help with a meniscus or ligament tear?
Injections do not heal a complete tear. They are sometimes used alongside surgery, but there is little evidence for this.
Can PRP be done after surgery?
Some clinics offer PRP during recovery after tendon surgery. The benefit should be discussed with the surgeon.
Which is cheaper?
Injections cost less than surgery per session, but a course may be repeated. We request prices from several clinics for both options.
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.
Choosing between injections and surgery? Send your images — we will compare clinic opinions
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