25/10/2026
In my opinion this isn’t a black and white decision, there is a time and place for injections, so I wouldn’t want the above post to reference all corticosteroid injections.
For me the questions are is
“Is this right for this person, at this moment in time?”
“Do the risks outweigh the benefit?”
“Does the individual have all the information they require to make an informed decision?”
Are there more effective alternatives?”
or
“Does the injection provide a window of opportunity for that individual to engage in their rehab?”
So, as often it is the case in medicine, “it depends”.
Having said that, the study referenced below, relates to the use of injections for tennis elbow, in regards to this condition the risks may well outweigh the benefits.
Corticosteroid injections are the intervention I want to address most directly, because they remain commonly offered and the evidence against them, particularly for long-term outcomes, is consistent and compelling. Cortisone injections for tennis elbow should be avoided in most cases. Let me explain…
A well-designed RCT published in JAMA found that while corticosteroid injections provided superior short-term pain relief at six weeks compared to physiotherapy and watchful waiting, by 12 months the injection group had significantly worse outcomes than both other groups, with higher recurrence rates (Coombes et al. 2013). Short-term relief followed by long-term recurrence and potentially worse tendon biology is not a trade worth making for a condition that resolves on its own. I recommend avoiding corticosteroid injections for this problem.
PRP (platelet-rich plasma) injections are a different conversation — the evidence is more nuanced, and certain PRP preparations may have a role in recalcitrant cases. If you are considering PRP, understand that not all PRP is equal. Preparation technique, platelet concentration, and injection protocols all matter.
This is a discussion to have with a physician experienced in PRP for tendinopathy.