[Treatment of the Shoulder Impingement Syndrome with PRP Injection]

Area of Science:

• Orthopedics
• Regenerative Medicine
• Sports Medicine

Background:

• Shoulder impingement syndrome is a common cause of shoulder pain and dysfunction.
• Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) therapy is increasingly used for musculoskeletal disorders, but evidence for its efficacy in shoulder impingement syndrome is limited.
• Comparing PRP with traditional corticosteroid injections is crucial for treatment decision-making.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the effectiveness of platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injections for shoulder impingement syndrome.
• To compare the outcomes of a series of three PRP injections with a single corticosteroid injection.
• To assess both subjective and objective improvements in patients' conditions.

Main Methods:

• A randomized prospective blinded study involving 50 patients with shoulder impingement syndrome.
• Group I (25 patients) received 3 subacromial (SA) PRP injections at weekly intervals.
• Group II (25 patients) received a single SA corticosteroid injection.
• Evaluations included physical examination, Visual Analogue Scale (VAS), ASES score, and Constant score, assessed before treatment and at 6 weeks, 3 months, and 6 months post-treatment.

Main Results:

• Both groups showed statistically significant improvements (p < 0.05) in VAS, ASES, and Constant scores at 6 months post-treatment.
• In Group I (PRP), mean VAS score improved from 2.96 to 1.16 at 6 months.
• In Group II (corticosteroid), mean VAS score improved from 3.12 to 1.8 at 6 months.
• While both treatments were effective, the study suggests PRP may offer sustained benefits.

Conclusions:

• A series of three subacromial PRP injections positively impacts daily activities and objective measures in patients with shoulder impingement syndrome.
• The study supports the hypothesis that PRP is an effective treatment modality for this condition.
• Further research is warranted to elucidate the long-term efficacy and optimal protocols for PRP in shoulder impingement syndrome.