The Immediate Relief That Might Be Destroying Your Joint: Why I Stopped Using Corticosteroids to Treat Joint Pain.
Corticosteroids for joint pain were the solution Mrs Maria, 58, had relied on for years. The relief came quickly; however, over time, her joint weakened and the damage became harder to ignore.
She didn’t realise it, but she was describing exactly the issue that made me rethink my entire approach: temporary relief that masks silent destruction. During my Fellowship at the OSAI Bioresearch Foundation in Italy, one of the world’s leading centres for biological research, I witnessed first-hand the power of true tissue regeneration. It was there that I finally understood what our mission as doctors must evolve into: not just numbing pain, but restoring function and regenerating tissue.
Why Are Corticosteroids Still So Widely Used? (The False Solution)
The answer is simple and tempting: speed.
Corticosteroids are powerful anti-inflammatory drugs. As a result, they “switch off” inflammation abruptly, and pain relief can be felt within hours. For someone suffering, this seems like salvation.
The problem is that this solution is like silencing a fire alarm in a burning building. The noise stops, but the fire continues to destroy the structure, that’s why corticosteroids for joint pain is not the best solution.
The Domino Effect of Corticosteroid Injections: What No One Tells You
Fast relief comes at a high long-term cost to your joint health. The main side effects include:
- Weakening of Tendons and Ligaments: Corticosteroids can inhibit collagen production — the protein responsible for giving tissues strength and resilience. This increases the risk of tears.
- Cartilage Damage: Cartilage acts as the “shock absorber” of the joint. Scientific literature — to which I actively contribute with dozens of publications in the field — is clear: repeated use of corticosteroids accelerates its degeneration.
- Rebound Effect: By violently suppressing inflammation, the body may react with a counter-effect once the drug wears off, worsening the next flare-up.
Masking the Real Problem: Pain is a warning signal. By constantly silencing it, you may overload an already weakened joint, aggravating the original injury without realising it.
The Turning Point: From Palliative Medicine to Regenerative Medicine
Recognising these damages, I decided to dedicate my career to a science-based approach.
As a professor of the leading postgraduate programme for doctors in Regenerative Medicine (Orthoregen) and a member of the International Advisory Board of the World Institute of Regenerative Medicine, my mission is to translate the strongest scientific findings into precise and effective treatments.
Think of your damaged joint as a dried-out garden. Corticosteroids are like throwing ice on wilted plants. Regenerative Medicine, on the other hand, brings the rain and nutrients the garden needs to heal itself from within.
- PRP (Platelet-Rich Plasma): We use your own blood, concentrate the platelets (which are rich in growth factors) and reapply them into the joint. It’s a biological “fertiliser” that stimulates the repair of tendons, ligaments, and cartilage.
Mesenchymal Stem Cells: Extracted in a minimally invasive way from your own fat tissue (adipose tissue), these are “mother cells” capable of transforming into different types of tissue. They also modulate the environment around them to stop inflammation and trigger regeneration.
Surgical Precision: Ensuring the Cells Reach the Exact Site of the Injury
There’s no point having the best fertiliser if you spread it in the wrong place.
At my clinic, we use high-resolution ultrasound to guide every stem cell procedure.
This means that, in real time, I can see exactly where the needle and cells are going. I have certainty that the stem cells or PRP are being placed precisely at the site of the lesion.
This is not just a technique I teach other doctors — it’s a standard of excellence and care that ensures the highest treatment effectiveness.
“But Doctor, Isn’t This Treatment Very New?”
This is a common and valid question. Research on PRP and stem cells has been evolving for decades. What truly changed is the refinement of the technique and its accessibility.
Today, as a postgraduate lecturer and active researcher, I teach and perform these procedures based on internationally validated protocols. This is not a gamble — it’s evidence-based medicine, applied with the highest precision.
The True Benefit: Regaining Life, Not Just Relieving Pain
The ultimate goal isn’t to make the pain disappear for a few months. It’s to:
- Walk again without fear.
- Play on the floor with your grandchildren.
- Enjoy your favourite sport.
- Reduce or eliminate dependence on pain medication.
It’s about restoring the autonomy and quality of life that joint pain has taken from you.
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Prioritise Yourself Today
If you relate to this story and are tired of temporary solutions that may be harming your joints in the long run, it’s time for a new conversation.
Book a consultation with me.
We’ll carefully analyse your case and imaging results, and together determine whether Regenerative Medicine is the right path for you — not just to relieve pain, but to restore the health and function of your joint.
Book your consultation with Dr Gabriel Azzini:
Click here
Tel.: +44 02081291606
https://regendoctor.co.uk/#descer
In your appointment, you’ll receive a personalised, evidence-based plan to restore your health and wellbeing.
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Dr Gabriel Azzini
Orthopaedic Doctor | Specialist in Regenerative Medicine
Fellowship in Regenerative Medicine – OSAI Bioresearch Foundation (Italy)
Professor of Postgraduate Studies in Regenerative Medicine (Orthoregen)
Member of the International Advisory Board – World Institute of Regenerative Medicine
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