Functional Outcome of Intra-articular Platelet-Rich Plasma in the Treatment of Frozen Shoulder

Frozen shoulder, also known as adhesive capsulitis, is a condition marked by persistent shoulder pain and limited range of motion. Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) has recently gained attention as a biologically active therapy capable of enhancing tissue repair and regeneration.

This study aimed to assess the impact of intra-articular PRP injections on functional recovery in individuals with frozen shoulder.

A prospective interventional study was performed involving 30 patients who had not responded to standard conservative therapies. Each participant received a single PRP injection and was monitored at intervals of 1 week, 1 month, 3 months, and 6 months. Pain and functional outcomes were measured using the visual analog scale (VAS) and disabilities of the arm, shoulder, and hand (DASH) scores. Subgroup analyses examined the effects of age, diabetes status, and duration of symptoms.

After 6 months, there was a 75.3% reduction in pain scores and a 72.1% improvement in functional scores. Patients who were younger, non-diabetic, or had symptoms for <6 months experienced more favorable outcomes. Multivariate analysis confirmed age, diabetes, and symptom duration as significant outcome predictors.

Intra-articular PRP injections appear to significantly reduce pain and enhance function in patients with frozen shoulder, with the most pronounced benefits observed in early-stage, younger, non-diabetic individuals. Despite certain study limitations, these results highlight PRP's potential as an effective treatment alternative.