Efficacy of Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) in the Management of Rotator Cuff Tears: A Case Series From a Tertiary Care Center.

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the short-term tendon healing response to a single ultrasound-guided autologous platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injection in patients aged 25-60 years with clinically and ultrasonographically confirmed unilateral, partial- to full-thickness rotator cuff tears.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

This descriptive case series was conducted at the Department of Orthopedic and Spine Surgery, Ghurki Trust Teaching Hospital, Lahore, from April 25 to October 24, 2018. A total of 90 patients aged 25 to 60 years, with clinically and ultrasonographically confirmed partial- and full-thickness rotator cuff tears, were enrolled. Patients with diabetes mellitus, bone infections (e.g., osteomyelitis), or muscular and skeletal dystrophies were excluded. All patients received a single PRP injection administered by the principal investigator. Follow-up assessments were conducted over a 12-week period, and tendon healing was evaluated using ultrasonography. Complete healing was defined as the absence of a tear on follow-up imaging.

RESULTS

Ninety patients were included, mean age: 41.46 ± 9.05 years; 61 males (67.78%) and 29 females (32.22%). Most patients (55.56%) were aged 41-60 years, and right shoulder involvement was observed in 56.67% of cases. At 12 weeks, complete tendon healing was noted in 62 patients (68.89%), while 28 patients (31.11%) showed no healing. Stratified analysis revealed no statistically significant association between healing outcomes and age (p = 0.839), gender (p = 0.141), symptom duration (p = 0.900), BMI (p = 0.504), or affected side (p = 0.327).

CONCLUSION

PRP therapy was associated with a high rate of tendon healing on ultrasonographic assessment at 12 weeks in patients with partial- to full-thickness rotator cuff tears. While these findings suggest potential short-term structural benefits, they should be interpreted with caution due to the study's descriptive design, lack of a control group, and reliance on ultrasound. Although PRP may be a useful adjunct in conservative management, especially for non-surgical candidates, current evidence supports its role primarily in symptom relief. Larger randomized controlled trials with standardized protocols and functional outcomes are needed to establish its long-term efficacy.