Key takeaways
- Cortisone shots calm inflammation quickly, but relief is often temporary and repeated shots can weaken tissue.
- PRP uses your own concentrated platelets to encourage healing; results vary and it's usually not covered by insurance.
- Stem cell therapy is promising but still evolving, and is costly.
- Injections work best as one part of a plan, not a replacement for addressing the cause.
When we're in pain, we look for anything that will help. Over the years, injections have grown very popular because they can reduce pain quickly. Unfortunately, the relief often doesn't last, and the symptoms return. It's worth knowing your options and talking through the pros and cons with your healthcare provider.
Cortisone injections
Cortisone is a corticosteroid, a powerful anti-inflammatory. It's commonly injected into spinal joints, around spinal nerves (epidural injections) and into other joints for arthritis, tendinitis and similar problems.
Pros: reduces inflammation and the pain it causes, often quickly.
Cons: relief is often temporary. Steroids can slow tissue healing and collagen repair, and repeated injections may speed up joint and tendon breakdown and contribute to bone loss.
Bottom line: used carefully, cortisone can calm a bad flare-up so you can keep going with treatment that addresses the cause. It's not a long-term fix on its own.
Platelet-rich plasma (PRP)
For PRP, a small amount of your blood is drawn and spun in a centrifuge to concentrate the platelets, which contain growth factors. The concentrate is injected into the injured area to encourage healing. It's often used for tendon and joint injuries, especially in areas with a poor blood supply.
Pros: uses your own body's healing factors and may help tissue repair.
Cons: results vary, protocols aren't standardized, multiple injections are often needed, and it's usually not covered by insurance.
Stem cell therapy
Stem cells can develop into other types of cells. Stem cell injections aim to help repair damaged tissue.
Pros: a promising area of regenerative medicine.
Cons: research is still evolving, results are inconsistent, it's expensive and rarely covered by insurance. Be cautious of clinics that promise dramatic results.
Prolotherapy
Prolotherapy injects a solution, often a sugar (dextrose) solution, into a joint or ligament. The mild irritation triggers the body's healing response in that area. It's used for joint pain and ligament injuries.
Pros: may reduce pain and support tissue healing, and can be combined with other care.
Cons: it can temporarily increase pain and inflammation, usually needs several sessions, and costs can add up.
Final thoughts
Injections can be a useful tool, but they're rarely a long-term solution on their own. They work best alongside care that addresses why the problem started. If you're weighing an injection, ask what it's expected to do, how long relief usually lasts, and what the plan is afterward. We're always happy to talk it through with you.