Procedures · Knee arthritis injections · Glastonbury, CT
Cortisone, hyaluronic acid gel and PRP are the three injections knee arthritis patients hear about most. They do different jobs. Dr. Paul Tortland, DO, has used PRP since 2007 and explains which one fits your knee after live ultrasound and a review of your imaging.
Cortisone calms inflammation for short-term relief, hyaluronic acid gel adds cushioning fluid to the joint, and PRP uses your own platelets to support the joint's healing environment. Only PRP is aimed at the tissue itself rather than the symptoms alone. Dr. Tortland picks among them after ultrasound and imaging of your knee.
| Consideration | Cortisone | Hyaluronic acid gel | PRP |
|---|---|---|---|
| What it is | An anti-inflammatory steroid | A gel that adds cushioning fluid | A concentrate of your own platelets |
| Main goal | Quick, short-term pain relief | Comfort and cushioning in the joint | Support the joint's healing environment |
| Time to benefit | Often within days | Often within weeks | About 4 to 12 weeks |
| Main limit | Relief is temporary, and repeated steroid injections may thin cartilage in some patients | Benefit varies and is not designed to repair tissue | Results vary, and it does not rebuild a bone-on-bone knee |
| Starting cost here | Pending a full diagnostic workup, if recommended by Dr. Tortland. | Pending a full diagnostic workup, if recommended by Dr. Tortland. | Custom-concentrate, high-dose PRP (not just PRP) from $1,800 |
Many patients arrive after a cortisone or gel injection that wore off. The $500 evaluation includes a same-visit ultrasound, so Dr. Tortland can see the cartilage, meniscus and joint space himself, then explain which treatments make sense and which do not. About 30 percent of patients travel from outside Connecticut.
Read more about PRP injections for knee arthritis, alternatives to knee replacement and PRP vs BMA vs MFAT.
Randomized trials have compared the two directly, and several reviews are listed in the sources below. Dr. Tortland recommends PRP over gel in many mild to moderate cases, and decides for you after examining your knee.
Cortisone can make sense for a short-term flare, such as before an event. For ongoing arthritis, Dr. Tortland usually prefers an option that supports the joint rather than only quieting it for a few weeks.
Yes. Many patients do. Tell the clinical team about every injection you have had, with dates, so they can tailor your plan.
The number is set at your evaluation based on your diagnosis and imaging. Follow-up with repeat ultrasound happens within 6 weeks to 3 months.
No. The office is out of network with all insurance plans and provides a superbill. HSA and FSA funds may apply.
Belk JW, Kraeutler MJ, Houck DA, Goodrich JA, Dragoo JL, McCarty EC. Platelet-Rich Plasma Versus Hyaluronic Acid for Knee Osteoarthritis: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials. Am J Sports Med. 2021;49(1):249-260.
Oeding JF, Varady NH, Fearington FW, et al. Platelet-Rich Plasma Versus Alternative Injections for Osteoarthritis of the Knee: A Systematic Review and Statistical Fragility Index-Based Meta-analysis. Am J Sports Med. 2024;52(12):3147-3160.
McAlindon TE, LaValley MP, Harvey WF, et al. Effect of Intra-articular Triamcinolone vs Saline on Knee Cartilage Volume and Pain in Patients With Knee Osteoarthritis. JAMA. 2017;317(19):1967-1975.
Candidacy is determined on ultrasound, not over the phone. Bring your imaging and get a straight answer about your joint in one visit.