No effect of intra-articular platelet-rich plasma injections after arthroscopic repair of rotator cuff tears: A prospective randomized study

Abstract

SUMMARY Background. Our study aims to evaluate the results of platelet-rich plasma (PRP) infil-tration after arthroscopic repair of the rotator cuff. Methods. We carried out a randomized simple blind clinical trial with an initial sample of 38 patients. Of those, three were excluded intraoperatively. These patients were assigned into two groups: rotator cuff suture with PRP administration (n = 17) and rotator cuff suture without PRP administration (n = 18). Intraoperatively, we excluded all massive tears, i.e., those with more than 3 cm retraction or affecting more than two tendons, Snyder type C4 or Patte grade III. We performed clinical and radiological evaluations at the 2nd and 6th week, 3rd and 6th month, and the last assessment at the 1st year. Results. We did not demonstrate statistically significant differences comparing measurements, clinical scales applied (AVS scale, DASH, Constant-Murley, Shoulder test, UCLA test, and shoulder range of motion) during the follow-up period, and radiological findings between both groups. Conclusions. Several research studies have shown PRP efficacy in injured tendons and ligaments. Some of them have even obtained satisfactory clinical results applied in rotator cuff repair, whereas others, including ours, have not shown statistically significant clinical improvement.