PRP vs Cortisone Injections: What the Evidence Actually Shows

How Cortisone Works

Corticosteroid injections work by suppressing the local inflammatory response in the treated area. They act quickly and are used for short-term pain relief. For acute flare-ups of joint or tendon pain, some patients report relief within days.

The Limitations of Cortisone

The anti-inflammatory effect of cortisone is temporary, typically wearing off within 6 to 12 weeks. Concerns have been raised in studies about the effect of repeated cortisone injections on tendon and cartilage tissue, so repeated use is approached cautiously.

How PRP Works Differently

PRP therapy is thought to work differently from cortisone. Rather than suppressing inflammation, the growth factors and proteins in PRP are thought to influence the local healing environment. Its mechanism is still being researched, and any effect reported in studies has tended to develop over weeks rather than days.

Condition by Condition

The evidence differs between conditions. For tennis elbow, some randomised trials have reported differences in favour of PRP over cortisone at 12 months. For knee osteoarthritis, some systematic reviews have reported differences in pain and function scores at 6 and 12 months. For plantar fasciitis, some longer-term follow-up studies have reported differences in favour of PRP. Study quality and preparation methods vary, and individual results differ.

Which option, if any, is appropriate is decided after individual assessment.

This article provides general educational information. Treatment decisions require individual medical assessment.