Role of platelet-rich plasma in the treatment of rotator cuff tendinopathy

Abstract

Shoulder pain is a common musculoskeletal complaint, and rotator cuff (RC) pathologies are one of the main causes. The RC undergoes various tendinopathic and avascular changes during the aging process. Other degenerative changes affecting its healing potential make it an appealing target for biological agents. Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) has demonstrated the potential to deliver a high concentration of several growth factors and anti-inflammatory mediators, and its clinical use is mainly supported by experiments that demonstrated its positive effect on muscle, ligaments, and tendinous cells. This review aimed to specify the role of PRP and its future applications in RC tendinopathies based on the current clinical evidence. Due to the different characteristics and conflicting outcomes, clinicians should use PRP with moderate expectations until more consistent evidence is available. However, it is reasonable to consider PRP in patients with contraindications to corticosteroid injections or those with risk factors for inadequate healing. Its autologous origin makes it a safe treatment, and its characteristics make it a promising option for treating RC tendinopathy, but the efficacy has yet to be established.

Regenerative Medicine Solutions for Rotator Cuff Injuries in Athletes: Indications and Outcomes

“…These findings suggest that PRP injections for musculoskeletal pathologies, including supraspinatus tendinopathy, are safe, cost-effective, and easily administered outpatient procedures, providing promising results compared with other treatment options 30 . It is essential that more double-blinded, randomized controlled investigations with large sample sizes and optimized PRP preparations be performed 31 because the intrinsic heterogeneity in the final composition of PRP have been recognized as the main limitation of PRP injections for their wide recommendation in clinical practice.…”