Two Injections. Two Very Different Goals.
Cortisone and platelet-rich plasma (PRP) are both delivered through injections, but they work in fundamentally different ways. While both can reduce pain, one suppresses your body's natural healing response while the other is designed to support it.
"Pain relief isn't always the same thing as healing."
— Dr. Joseph Albano
How Cortisone Works
Corticosteroid injections mimic cortisol, a powerful anti-inflammatory hormone. They rapidly decrease inflammation inside joints and soft tissues, often providing noticeable pain relief within a few days.
While that relief can be valuable in certain situations, cortisone does not repair damaged tissue. Instead, it suppresses the inflammatory process that normally initiates healing.
Important Note
Repeated cortisone injections have been associated with cartilage degeneration, tendon weakening, and progressive tissue breakdown. This is why most physicians limit how frequently cortisone can be administered.
How PRP Works
Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) is created by concentrating platelets from your own blood. These platelets contain growth factors that help recruit healing cells, increase blood flow, and stimulate tissue repair.
Rather than suppressing inflammation, PRP intentionally creates a controlled healing response that encourages damaged tissues to repair themselves over time.
Comparing Long-Term Outcomes
- Cortisone often provides faster short-term pain relief.
- PRP typically takes longer to work but supports tissue healing.
- Studies have shown PRP patients continue improving months after treatment.
- Repeated cortisone injections may accelerate cartilage damage.
- PRP aims to improve function while preserving joint health.
Clinical Insight
Patients should expect PRP to work on a biological timeline. Improvement often begins after several weeks and may continue for six months or longer as tissues remodel.
When Cortisone May Still Be Appropriate
Cortisone still has an important role in medicine. It may be appropriate when rapid inflammation control is medically necessary or when temporary symptom relief is needed before another procedure. The decision depends on the patient's diagnosis, goals, and overall treatment plan.
Choosing the Right Treatment
The best treatment depends on what you're trying to accomplish. If the goal is temporary symptom relief, cortisone may be appropriate in select situations. If the goal is supporting tissue repair and preserving joint health, regenerative treatments such as PRP may provide a better long-term solution.
Our Approach
At Albano Clinic, we focus on treating the underlying cause of orthopedic pain whenever possible. Every patient receives a comprehensive evaluation to determine whether regenerative therapies, physical rehabilitation, lifestyle optimization, or another approach offers the best opportunity for lasting improvement.