With the everchanging, rapidly advancing field of medicine – we understand that it’s a little difficult to keep up with. However, one fact that remains constant is that people will always experience health challenges, injuries, and more. Up until today, most physicians have been utilizing cortisone injections (and their derivatives) to treat a wide variety of ailments and traumas.
However, it is worth noting that repeated or frequent usage of cortisone injections can damage the tissues and cause unwanted side effects. Enter – PRP, or platelet-rich plasma. PRP injections offer a viable alternative to corticosteroid injections, without all of the nasty side effects. We’re going to briefly review an exciting medical study that pits the two against each other to measure their effectiveness. Which one will reign supreme? But first, let’s define each.
Understanding PRP AKA Platelet-Rich Plasma
Everybody’s blood contains plasma in addition to red and white blood cells. They are important for forming blood clots. Plasma also contains growth factors, which are important for regenerative medicine in helping to regenerate and relieve your condition. By concentrating and reinserting plasma into the affected location of the body, your plasma is being transferred in great quantities to the part of the body it’s needed the most to jump-start the healing process. The growth factors stimulate cell growth to allow your tissue to repair. You can learn more about PRP by tapping or clicking here.
A Closer Look at Corticosteroids
A valuable tool for treating inflammation. This corticosteroid is a synthetic version of a natural hormone called cortisol. Cortisone is used to treat inflammatory conditions, including autoimmune diseases as well as joint swelling and pain. Its natural counterpart, cortisol, is produced by the body’s adrenal glands. This hormone suppresses the immune system’s inflammatory and allergic responses. The synthetic derivative cortisone mimics the action of cortisol but tends to achieve a more powerful – as well as exposing the patient to potentially greater side effects.
PRP vs Corticosteroids – The Final Verdict
In a 2020 study by the Journal of Orthopedic Surgery and Research, 40 patients were treated for osteoarthritis. Half of the group were treated utilizing cortisone injections, while the other half had PRP injections. Results were monitored throughout the treatment period, and up to one year after the final injection.
Ultimately, no adverse reactions were noted in either group. However, here’s where things get interesting. In the corticosteroids group, pain relief and improvement was observed up until week 15. After week 15, the CS patients actually started regressing – with pain creeping up on them once again.
Contrast this with the effects of the PRP group, who observed pain relief for up to 30 weeks following the final injection. Additionally, the PRP group vastly outperformed the Corticosteroids group in several metrics relating to flexibility and pain levels. This study proves the clinical efficacy of PRP and presents it as a superior option over corticosteroids for not only pain relief, but regeneration of the tissues and the restoration of activity levels.
Get Seen, Get Better
Are you struggling with chronic pains? Have you tried corticosteroid injections with temporary or minimal results? Maragal Medical offers better alternatives! Our tailored treatment programs are customized to your needs. We offer PRP injections along with post-injection therapy programs to enhance our patient’s recoveries as well as their lives. At Maragal Medical, pain is optional – but achieving positive outcomes for our patients is mandatory. Contact us to see what we can do for you today.
FAQs
This study proves the clinical efficacy of PRP and presents it as a superior option over corticosteroids for not only pain relief, but regeneration of the tissues and the restoration of activity levels.
Which is better PRP or cortisone injection? ›
PRP and cortisone shots can be used to treat joint and muscle pain, but PRP shots can potentially have greater long-term effects. Cortisone injections provide instant relief from pain, but they do not promote healing in the affected area and may require more shots months after injection.
What is the best pain killer injection for joint pain? ›
Cortisone shots are effective for many patients in quickly reducing inflammation and pain directly inside the joint, but they come with a few precautions.
Is PRP better than steroids for osteoarthritis? ›
discovered that whereas corticosteroids and hyaluronan were equivalent in terms of pain alleviation after three months, PRP injections were superior in terms of long-term pain relief [24].
Is platelet-rich plasma injection more effective than steroid injection in the treatment of chronic lateral epicondylitis in achieving long term relief? ›
Many studies show that steroid injection provides pain relief in the short term but not long lasting. Recent reports show autologous platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injection promotes healing, resulting in better pain relief in the short as well as long term.
What is the downside of PRP injections? ›
PRP Therapy Risks and Side Effects
After the procedure, you may experience some soreness and bruising at the injection site. Because PRP injections are made up of your own cells and plasma, the risk of an allergic reaction is much lower than with other injectable medications like corticosteroids.
What are the disadvantages of PRP? ›
What are the potential side effects of PRP?
- infection.
- nerve injuries.
- pain at the injection site.
- tissue damage.
Ketorolac is a powerful non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug that can reduce inflammation. Ketorolac can also relieve pain as potently as opioid drugs.
Is there an injection to dissolve arthritis? ›
During viscosupplementation treatment for arthritis, your healthcare provider injects hyaluronic acid into your joint. This thick fluid may help reduce pain and swelling in your arthritic joint (most commonly, your knee).
What is the new treatment for arthritis? ›
The most recent medication options for rheumatoid arthritis are the Janus kinase inhibitors, available in the market as Rinvoq, Olumiant, and Xeljanz with FDA approval. These drugs have shown potential in effectively managing symptoms of the condition and decreasing levels of pain experienced by patients.
The therapeutic method of stem cell injection is more advanced than that of using PRP. Not only are stem cells capable of promoting growth like PRP, but they can also enhance the regeneration of damaged tissue in the body.
What is stronger than PRP? ›
Stem Cell Therapy is a more advanced treatment compared to PRP Therapy. PRP Therapy recruits growth factors in the injured area to aid in healing. Stem Cell Therapy not only does the same thing that PRP offers, which is initiating the body's repair response, it also enhances stem cell activity for regeneration.
What is more effective than PRP? ›
PRF can produce a higher cumulative release of growth factors than PRP. Also, this release is slow and prolonged, making it ideal for tissue regeneration and growth stimulation.
What is better for knee cortisone or PRP? ›
Unlike a cortisone shot, though, the effects of PRP therapy shouldn't wear off, because this treatment helps heal the injury. Because PRP therapy comes with fewer risks, helps boost healing, and can provide more permanent pain relief, we often recommend it over cortisone shots for overuse injuries.
Is PRP better than steroids for knee pain? ›
PRP and CS intra-articular injections both are safe and effective treatments in knee OA for alleviating pain, and improving symptoms. It seems that PRP injections have prolonged and shown better improvement in some studies. However, the results do not prefer one method over the other.
Is hyaluronic acid knee injection better than PRP? ›
PRP injections have consistently outperformed HA injections in treating knee osteoarthritis, offering pain relief and improved function, but the potential benefits of combining PRP with HA remain inconclusive, necessitating further research to ascertain their effectiveness and safety in combination treatment.
Is there a better option than PRP? ›
The therapeutic method of stem cell injection is more advanced than that of using PRP. Not only are stem cells capable of promoting growth like PRP, but they can also enhance the regeneration of damaged tissue in the body.
Is there anything better than cortisone shot? ›
Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) Therapy
By injecting platelet-rich plasma directly into the affected joint, doctors are able to reduce pain and improve joint function. PRP therapy is thought to rebuild damaged tissue, reduce inflammation, and stimulate joint lubrication, which can ease stiffness and reduce discomfort.
How long do PRP injection results last? ›
PRP Injections Typically Offer Many Months of Relief
While every patient is different and not everybody responds to the treatment in precisely the same way. But many studies suggest that the relief offered by PRP injections can last six to nine months.
