PRP vs cortisone injections, which is better?
They do different jobs. Cortisone is a potent anti-inflammatory that usually relieves pain quickly — often within days — but the effect tends to fade over weeks to months and repeated use has been associated with cartilage and tendon concerns. PRP works more slowly, aiming to influence the tissue rather than suppress inflammation, with benefit that builds over weeks. Cortisone is often the better choice when fast relief is the priority; PRP is often considered when the goal is a longer-arc response.
How the two differ in timing
Cortisone frequently produces noticeable relief within a few days. PRP typically does the opposite early on — soreness in the first week is common, because a controlled inflammatory response is the intended mechanism — with improvement building over roughly six to twelve weeks.
If you need to get through a specific event in the near term, that timing difference alone often decides the question.
The repeat-use question
Cortisone injections are generally limited in frequency, and repeated injections into the same joint or around the same tendon have been associated with cartilage loss and tendon weakening in the literature. That is why most providers cap how often they will repeat them.
PRP does not carry the same specific concern, though that is not the same as saying unlimited repetition is established or advisable.
When one is clearly more appropriate
Cortisone tends to be favoured for acute inflammatory flares, for confirming a pain source diagnostically, and where rapid relief matters most. PRP tends to be considered for chronic tendinopathy and mild to moderate osteoarthritis where the aim is a longer-lasting functional change.
They are also not always an either-or. Sequencing matters — a recent cortisone injection can affect the timing of a subsequent PRP treatment, which is worth raising if you have had one.
More about PRP Treatments
Work out which one fits your situation
Book a consultation with our Folsom naturopathic team to talk through timing, your history, and which injection makes sense for your goals.
Bring recent lab work if you have it — we’ll review it with you.
Medical disclaimer: The information on this page is for general education and is not medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. It compares two treatments in general terms and does not claim or imply any outcome for any individual. PRP use for orthopedic conditions is generally off-label. Corticosteroid injections carry their own risks and are prescribed at a provider’s discretion. Which option is appropriate for you can only be determined after an in-person evaluation with a licensed provider.