Steroid vs. regenerative medicine injections

Regenerative medicine injections do not have the dangerous side effects of steroid injections and do not suppress the immune system as do steroid injections.

by Dr. Fred G. Arnold — 

Standard of care is defined as the appropriate medical treatment based on scientific evidence and collaboration between the medical professionals involved in the treatment of a given condition.

For the treatment of painful musculoskeletal conditions, steroid injections, such as cortisone injections, are considered the standard of care by many physicians and are often the first treatment offered to patients. Because the purpose of steroids is to reduce inflammation associated with painful musculoskeletal conditions, an immediate reduction in symptoms associated with painful joints may be noticed; however, many patients are unaware of the side effects of steroid injections.

Steroid injections can weaken bones, ligaments, muscles and tendon-bone attachments; lead to progressive and harmful arthritic changes; suppress the immune system; inhibit human growth hormone and inactivate vitamin D. These negative side effects can lead to increased production of pain, more cortisone shots and eventually surgery.

Many orthopedic physicians and doctors treat musculoskeletal and sports injuries with cortisone injections as a “quick fix” to relieve pain.

The unsuspecting athlete returns to the playing field thinking his painful condition is cured, when it has actually been weakened by the cortisone injection. As a result, many athletes overstress their weakened joints, resulting in permanent damage that can lead to the chronic use of pain medications.

Regenerative medicine injections

Regenerative medicine injections are an alternative to steroid injections for patients suffering from chronic joint pain, including bone-on-bone conditions. Regenerative medicine injections replace or regenerate human cells and tissues to restore or establish normal function and reduce joint pain.

Some of the current and effective regenerative medicine injection techniques include prolotherapy, prolozone, platelet rich plasma (PRP) and stem cell therapy. Each of these techniques involves specific injection solutions to the painful joint that stimulate the body’s own repair mechanisms to strengthen ligament, tendon and tendon-bone attachments.

Regenerative medicine injections do not have the negative side effects of steroids and do not weaken bones or muscles, which can lead to progressive and harmful arthritic changes. Nor do they suppress the immune system, inhibit human growth hormone or inactivate vitamin D. Many people, including professional athletes, are becoming aware of these alternative treatments and are finding them successful.

Summary 

Regenerative medicine injections should be a consideration before administering steroid injections such as cortisone, as they have an excellent safety and success record and are state-of-the-art treatments for chronic joint pain.

Regenerative medicine injections do not have the dangerous side effects of steroid injections and do not suppress the immune system as do steroid injections. Receiving regenerative injections before a joint replacement can even help to improve the post surgical outcome by strengthening the involved joint, should regenerative medicine injections fail to provide optimal results.

Fred G. Arnold, D.C., N.M.D., has more than 20 years of clinical experience and specializes in regenerative medicine injections and pain rehabilitation services. He is a Diplomate of the American Academy of Health Care Providers, member of American Association of Orthopedic Medicine and is one of the few physicians in the nation with both a naturopathic medical degree and chiropractic degree. phoenixpainrehabilitation.com, prolotherapyphoenix.com or 602-292-2978.

Reprinted from AzNetNews, Volume 32, Number 3, June/July 2013.