Ultrasound-Guided Subfascial Platelet-Rich Plasma Injections Versus Enthesis Needling for Greater Trochanteric Pain Syndrome: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Abstract

Background: Greater trochanteric pain syndrome (GTPS) is characterized by gluteal enthesopathy involving the peritrochanteric space and associated with chronic pain and functional impairment. A corticosteroid injection in the trochanteric bursa is the usual palliative treatment for pain. However, it is important to investigate treatment options that will relieve pain in the peritrochanteric space. Purpose: To compare the clinical efficacy of subfascial platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injection and enthesis needling for GTPS. Study Design: Randomized controlled trial; Level of evidence, 1. Methods: A total of 92 patients (90% women; mean age, 55 years old; mean body mass index, 25.3 kg/m2) were randomly divided into a subfascial PRP injection group and an enthesis needling group. Descriptive data and radiographic measurements of the pelvis—including leg-length difference, pelvic width difference, and pelvic trochanteric index—were recorded. The primary outcome measures were the Hip Outcome Score (HOS) activities of daily living (HOS-ADL) and sports-specific (HOS-SS) subscales and the visual analog scale for pain at 3, 6, and 12 months posttreatment. In addition, we evaluated the presence or absence of ultrasound characteristics (fascia nodules, trochanteric bursa distension, and calcium deposits) over time in response to treatment. Results: Baseline demographic and radiological characteristics were similar between the groups. The PRP group saw significantly greater improvement from baseline to 12 months posttreatment on the HOS-SS subscore compared with the needling group (32.09 [95% CI, 28.99-40.20] vs 20.52 [95% CI, 11.99-29.05]; P = .048). At 3 months, 60% of patients in the PRP group versus 33.3% in the needling group had a reduction in pain compared with a baseline of >20% ( P = .040). After subfascial PRP injection, fewer patients had a fascia nodule over the trochanter and/or bursa distension ( P = .006 and P = .004, respectively). The pelvic trochanteric index was predictive of HOS-ADL and HOS-SS outcomes ( P = .011 and P = .022, respectively). The interaction between treatment modality and fascia nodule influenced HOS-ADL and HOS-SS outcomes ( P = .021 and P = .023) as well as the interactions of treatment modality, fascia nodules, and calcifications ( P = .027). Conclusion: Both subfascial PRP injection and enthesis needling resulted in clinical improvements, but the improvement in the HOS-SS was greater in the PRP group. Registration: NCT04231357 (ClinicalTrials.gov identifier).