If you’re dealing with joint pain or a musculoskeletal injury, you’ve likely been offered a cortisone injection. While widely used, many patients are now asking about bone marrow stem cell therapy as an alternative. Here’s an honest comparison.
How Cortisone Works
Cortisone injections reduce inflammation rapidly and can provide significant short-term pain relief — often within days. However, they do not repair damaged tissue. They mask symptoms. Multiple published studies have shown that repeated cortisone injections accelerate cartilage degradation over time, potentially worsening the underlying condition.
How Bone Marrow Stem Cell Therapy Works
BMAC therapy works fundamentally differently. Rather than suppressing inflammation temporarily, it delivers your body’s own regenerative cells — stem cells, progenitor cells, and growth factors — directly to the site of injury or degeneration. These cells stimulate tissue repair, new blood vessel formation, and cartilage regeneration.
Key Differences at a Glance
- Cortisone: Anti-inflammatory, temporary pain relief, no tissue repair, potential long-term cartilage harm with repeated use
- BMAC: Regenerative, addresses root cause, uses your own cells, supported by published clinical data with multi-year follow-up
What Does the Research Say?
A 2021 pilot randomized controlled trial (Dwyer et al.) compared bone marrow aspirate injection with cortisone injection for glenohumeral joint osteoarthritis. At 12 months, patients treated with BMA demonstrated superior Quick-DASH and EQ-5D-5L pain and health scores compared to the cortisone group.
Which Is Right for You?
This depends on the severity of your condition, your goals, and your health status. Many patients who have exhausted cortisone injections are excellent candidates for BMAC. Schedule a consultation to discuss your specific situation.