Impact of platelet-rich plasma on partial thickness rotator cuff injuries a prospective randomized study

Objective This prospective randomized study was conducted to assess impact of platelet-rich plasma on partial thickness rotator cuff injuries. Methods Thirty-two patients with partial thickness rotator cuff injuries were randomly assigned to receive ultrasound-navigated subacromial injection of Platelet-Rich Plasma (n=16) or autologous blood (n=16). All patients were assessed before injection, 6 weeks, 6 months after injection, using the Constant-Murley Score (CMS), a Visual Analog Scale (VAS) for pain and active and passive range of motion (ROM) of shoulder. Results The clinical effect of the platelet-rich plasma injection was superior to the blood injection from six weeks to six months after initial injection. At six weeks and six months the mean VAS and CMS was 4.2±2.5, 78.8±18.2 and 3.4±1.8, 89.8±18 in the platelet-rich plasma group versus 6.3±2.8, 52.8±14.5 and 5.9±2.5, 60.3±12.1 in the control group (P<0.01). Active ranges of motion of shoulder including active flexion, abduction, internal rotation in the platelet-rich plasma group were superior to the control group at six weeks and six months after injection. Conclusion Autologous platelet-rich plasma injections lead to a progressive reduction in the pain and disability on partial thickness rotator cuff injuries. Key words: Platelet-rich plasma; Partial thickness; Rotator cuff injuries; Curative effect; Prospective randomized study