Comparison Between Platelet Rich Plasma and Corticosteroids for the Treatment of Rotator Cuff Tendinopathy Randomized Controlled Double Blind Clinical Trial

Rotator cuff tendinopathy represents the most common pathology of the shoulder and is the main reason for outpatient consultation for pathologies related to the shoulder girdle. First-line treatment for rotator cuff tendinopathy usually consists of activity modification, stretching and strengthening exercises, oral anti-inflammatory medications. When these initial measures are not effective, a second line of treatment consists of local infiltrations with corticosteroids. However, most of the studies evaluating the effectiveness of corticosteroids in patients with rotator cuff tendinopathy show that the clinical results are usually short-lived.

In this sense, platelet-rich plasma (PRP) emerges as a promising alternative due to its ability to release pro-regenerative growth factors (FsC) and cytokines at the lesion site. Platelet Rich Plasma is considered a minimal handling product. Specifically, at the Hospital Italiano de Buenos Aires (HIBA), platelet-rich plasma has been used for more than 10 years for different musculoskeletal conditions, both on an outpatient basis or as an adjuvant to different surgical procedures.

Several small cohort studies and randomized controlled trials have examined the clinical benefit of PRP for treating patients with rotator cuff tendinopathy, however their results have been confounded by small patient samples, lack of a control group, variable or insufficient data from the PRP preparations and short-term follow-up.

The purpose of this study is to perform a double-blind randomized controlled trial, comparing PRP with corticosteroids to provide pain relief and improve function in patients with rotator cuff tendinopathy. The hypothesis of this study is that PRP would provide improved pain relief and function in patients with rotator cuff tendinopathy compared to standard treatment of CS injections.

Hypothesis