Study:
A 2-year prospective study by Prodromos et al. (2021) examined patients with chronic rotator cuff tendinopathy and variable tears who had not improved with therapy. Seventy-one shoulders were treated with dual-site PRP injections into the tendon and joint capsule. Their pain (VAS Score), function (Quick DASH), and global improvement were evaluated at 6, 12, and 24 months.
Results:
- Pain scores steadily decreased at 3, 6, and 12 months, and at 24 months, the pain improvement remained.
- Shoulder function continued to improve throughout the study period
- Patients with large partial-thickness and full-thickness tears responded well with a significant improvement in pain and function.
- No partial tears progressed to full-thickness tears, and no complications were reported.
Key Takeaway:
PRP delivers long-term pain reduction and tendon stability in rotator cuff injuries, offering regenerative benefits that last well beyond standard treatments. A multiple-injection treatment protocol targeting the tear and the joint capsule appears to be beneficial for long-term outcomes.
At Integrative Rehab Medicine, all PRP procedures use highly concentrated biologics to treat all the shoulder structures involved. We work collaboratively with local physical therapy practices to pair regenerative healing with targeted rehabilitation, optimizing recovery, biomechanics, and long-term outcomes.
Reference:
Prodromos, C. et al., BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders (2021).
https://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s12891-021-04288-4