ABSTRACT
Background: Rotator cuff injuries are some of the most common musculoskeletal disorders, which cause pain, limitations in movement, and reduced quality of life. In traditional medicine good healing is not always achieved. PRP has recently received attention for its potential to promote tissue regeneration and improve clinical outcomes due to its abundance of growth factors.
Aim: To investigate the efficacy of using platelet-rich plasma (PRP) treatment for improved healing and functional recovery of rotator cuff tear.
Methods: It’s a randomized control trial conducted or performed at Shifa international hospital Islamabad Pakistan during May 2024 to April 2025. Ninety patients diagnosed with rotator cuff injuries were recruited and randomized into two groups: the treatment group, which was subjected to PRP (platelet-rich plasma) injections and standard physiotherapy, and the control group that was treated with standard physiotherapy alone. Patients were assessed preoperatively, 6 weeks and 12 weeks postoperatively with Constant-Murley Shoulder Score (CMSS), Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) score for pain and MRI evaluation of tendon healing.
Results: The changes in CMSS scores at 6 and 12 weeks were both more significant in the PRP group than in the control group (p < 0.05). In terms of pain intensity (VAS), the PRP group experienced a faster and continuous decrease in absolute value of pain. The MRI analysis at 12 weeks showed improved tendon healing in the PRP group, whereby more cases of partial-to-complete healing were found in the PRP group than in the control group.
Conclusion: The addition of Platelet-Rich Plasma to standard physiotherapy considerably improved healing and functional outcomes in patients with rotator cuff injury. PRP seems to be a potential supplement to aid the recovery and decrease the pain in these cases.
Keywords: Platelet-Rich Plasma, PRP, Rotator Cuff Injury, Tendon Healing, Randomized Controlled Trial, Shoulder Rehabilitation, Musculoskeletal Injury.