The effects of platelet lysate therapy on rotator cuff tendinopathy

Abstract

Platelet-rich Blood Derivatives are being nowadays increasingly used in the treatment of tendon-related pathologies as a rich source of growth factors which aims at providing a regenerative stimulus in the tendon. Herein, we sought to ascertain if local application of platelet lysate (PL) to augment rotator cuff repair compared to ketorolac tromethamine treated group.

Method: A total of forty patients, aged 18 to 70 years, with clinical diagnosis of RCT and symptoms for 3 months or more were randomized to receive subacromial injections of PL (1 ml) every week for a total of 3 injections and two injection of ketorolac tromethamine (30 mg) once every two weeks in addition to an eccentric training program. Patients were randomized into a PL group (n=20) and ketorolac tromethamine (n = 20). Subjective assessments include Visual Analogue Scale (VAS), Shoulder Pain and Disability Index (SPADI) and shoulder active range of motion (ROM) were assessed at baseline and at 1 and 6 months after injection.

Result: Within each group, the, SPADI and VAS scores showed significant improvements compared with baseline at all-time points (P<0001). In the active range of motion measures, there were no significant difference after ketorolac therapy. Taking both ketorolac and PL groups, it is vividly seen that the outcomes were identical at the initial state as well as the short-term one; whereas, when considering the 6-month period, there is a seemingly remarkable superiority in PL group in all parameters. The findings of the study envision that local injection of PL led to favorable clinical outcomes for the RCT treatment after 6 months.