PRP vs Cortisone London: Which Treatment Works Better

When joint pain, tendon injuries, or musculoskeletal conditions disrupt your life, choosing the right treatment matters. Cortisone injections have been the standard approach for decades, but PRP offers a regenerative alternative with fundamentally different mechanisms and outcomes.

How Cortisone Injections Work

Cortisone is a powerful corticosteroid that suppresses inflammation rapidly. When injected into affected areas, it reduces swelling, pain, and immune system activity around joints or tendons.

The anti-inflammatory effect provides quick relief, often within 24-48 hours. This makes cortisone effective for immediate symptom management, particularly during acute flare-ups.

However, cortisone doesn't heal tissue or address underlying damage. It masks symptoms whilst the body attempts natural repair, without actively promoting regeneration.

How PRP Treatment Functions

PRP works through an entirely different mechanism. Rather than suppressing inflammation, it harnesses your body's healing factors to actively repair damaged tissue.

The concentrated platelets release growth factors that stimulate cellular regeneration, improve blood supply, and recruit stem cells to injury sites. This biological approach addresses root causes rather than just symptoms.

PRP promotes actual tissue healing, strengthening damaged structures over time rather than temporarily masking discomfort.

Speed of Results Comparison

Cortisone provides faster initial relief. Most patients notice significant pain reduction within 1-3 days, making it appealing for those seeking immediate symptom relief.

PRP works more gradually as tissue regeneration occurs. Initial improvement typically begins at 2-4 weeks, with continued enhancement over 3-6 months as new tissue matures.

For acute symptom relief, cortisone wins. For long-term structural healing, PRP's gradual approach delivers more sustainable benefits.

Duration of Benefits

Cortisone effects are temporary. Relief typically lasts 6-12 weeks, after which symptoms often return because underlying tissue damage remains unchanged. Repeated injections follow a law of diminishing returns.

PRP results develop slowly but last longer. Once tissue healing occurs, improvements can persist 12-18 months or more. Many patients experience lasting relief after a series of 2-3 treatments.

The regenerative nature of PRP means you're building healthier tissue that continues functioning better long-term.

Safety and Side Effects

Cortisone carries known risks with repeated use. It can weaken tendons, accelerate cartilage degradation, suppress immune function locally, and cause tissue atrophy. Most practitioners limit cortisone injections to 3-4 per year per site.

PRP uses your own blood components, eliminating allergy risks and immune reactions. Side effects are minimal, typically limited to temporary soreness at injection sites. There's no limit on frequency based on safety concerns.

Long-term cortisone use may actually worsen structural integrity, whilst PRP improves tissue health with each treatment.

Best Applications for Each Treatment

Cortisone works well for acute inflammation flares, inflammatory arthritis exacerbations, and situations requiring rapid symptom control before important events or activities.

PRP excels for chronic tendinopathies, partial ligament tears, early arthritis, sports injuries, and conditions where tissue healing rather than symptom suppression is the goal.

Some patients benefit from a combined approach where cortisone provides immediate relief whilst PRP works on long-term healing.

Cost Considerations

Cortisone injections typically cost less per treatment but may require more frequent administration. The cumulative cost over time can exceed PRP, especially when considering potential tissue damage requiring additional interventions later.

PRP costs more initially but may prove more economical long-term through lasting improvements and reduced need for ongoing treatments.

Making the Right Choice for Your Condition

Consider cortisone if you need rapid symptom relief, are managing an acute inflammatory flare, or require short-term pain control for a specific purpose.

Choose PRP if you have chronic conditions, want to heal tissue rather than mask symptoms, have received multiple cortisone injections with diminishing returns, or seek longer-lasting improvement.

Our London medical team assesses your specific condition, treatment history, and goals to recommend the most appropriate approach.

Ready to explore whether PRP or cortisone suits your condition better? Get expert guidance on the right treatment path.

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