Overview of the Study on PRP vs. Corticosteroid Injections for Rotator Cuff Tendinopathy

Recent research comparing Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) to standard corticosteroid (CS) injections for treating rotator cuff tendinopathy offers promising insights. This study, a double-blind, randomized controlled trial (RCT), sought to determine which treatment provides better pain relief and functional improvements over a year-long period.

Study Background

Rotator cuff tendinopathy (RCT) is a common shoulder condition often resulting from overuse or injury. While corticosteroid injections have been a standard treatment, their long-term effectiveness has been questioned. PRP, which uses a concentration of a patient’s own platelets, has emerged as a potential alternative, though previous studies have shown mixed results.

Methods

In this trial, 100 patients aged 18 to 50 with MRI-confirmed supraspinatus tendinopathy that had not responded to conservative treatments were divided into two groups. One group received PRP injections, while the other received corticosteroid injections. Both groups were assessed at 1, 3, 6, and 12 months post-injection using various patient-reported outcome measures, including the Visual Analog Scale (VAS) for pain, the American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons (ASES) score, the Single Assessment Numeric Evaluation (SANE) score, and the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI). Treatment failure was defined as persistent pain requiring additional treatment after three months.

Key Findings

At the 12-month follow-up, the study found that the PRP group experienced significantly greater improvements in pain and functional outcomes than the CS group. The PRP group showed a lower mean VAS score for pain and higher scores on the ASES, SANE, and PSQI scales, indicating better shoulder function and sleep quality. Additionally, the failure rate was significantly lower in the PRP group (12%) compared to the CS group (30%).

Conclusion

This study suggests that a single subacromial PRP injection is more effective than a corticosteroid injection for long-term pain relief and functional improvement in patients with rotator cuff tendinopathy. The results support the use of PRP as a superior treatment option, potentially offering a better alternative to corticosteroids, especially in reducing the need for additional interventions.

Visit https://www.jshoulderelbow.org/article/S1058-2746(24)00544-5/abstract to learn more.