Why I Wouldn’t Get a Cortisone Shot | Better Long-Term Options with Dr. Danny Clark

The Common Recommendation: Cortisone Injections

Let’s talk about why I personally wouldn’t get a cortisone (steroid) injection—and why I rarely, if ever, recommend them to my patients.

I see many patients who come to me with knee pain, often related to osteoarthritis. They've been told they have "bone-on-bone" arthritis or degenerative joint disease, and the go-to solution offered is often a cortisone injection. The reasoning is to manage pain and inflammation while essentially buying time until the joint deteriorates enough to require a knee replacement.

But here’s the thing—we have better options now.

The Problem with Cortisone

Cortisone injections are effective at temporarily reducing inflammation. Think of them as a fire extinguisher—they put out the flames of pain and swelling quickly. However, this relief is typically short-lived. I often see that each subsequent cortisone shot provides less and less pain relief, with shorter durations between injections.

Eventually, patients reach a point where the relief doesn’t last, and that’s when they’re told surgery is the next step.

What’s more concerning is that research shows repeated cortisone injections may actually accelerate joint degeneration. In other words, while they temporarily mask symptoms, they may also contribute to the faster progression of arthritis.

The Regenerative Medicine Alternative

At Protea Performance Center, we focus on regenerative therapies like:

• PRP (Platelet-Rich Plasma)

• Bone Marrow Concentrate (containing adult stem cells)

• A2M (Alpha-2-Macroglobulin)

These therapies are designed not just to control pain, but to support healing and joint preservation. They use your body’s own biologic materials to reduce inflammation and stimulate repair.

Here’s the key difference:
Unlike cortisone, we have evidence that regenerative injections can slow the progression of arthritis, not speed it up.

Why This Matters

Slowing down the degenerative process means you may maintain function and avoid—or significantly delay—the need for joint replacement. It’s a proactive approach, not just symptom management.

So, if you’ve been offered cortisone injections and find that the pain keeps coming back—or if you simply want to avoid the risks of repeated steroid use—know that you have other options.

Let’s Talk About Your Next Step

Regenerative medicine isn’t a one-size-fits-all solution, but for many patients, it offers a safer and more sustainable path forward. If you’re curious about what’s right for your joint pain, we’d love to help you explore your options.

Reach out to us at Protea Performance Center to schedule a consultation.