Summary

In a randomized controlled trial, a single injection of PRP following arthroscopic rotator cuff repair did not improve clinical outcome at 12 months post surgery however, there was a trend towards improved healing on MRI.

Abstract

Aims
To determine if a single injection of PRP following arthroscopic rotator cuff repair will improve clinical outcome and rotator cuff healing

Methods

Following arthroscopic rotator cuff repair 89 patients were randomized to receive a 6ml injection of PRP (Group1) or a 6ml injection of saline(Group 2). Both the patient and radiologist were blinded to the injection allocation. All injections were carried out within 7-10 days following surgery. All patients were assessed at 3,6 and 12 months post surgery by a blinded researcher. Patients were assessed using the ASES, Constant, WORC and DASH score. At 12 months post surgery a MRI was performed and repair integrity was assessed using the sugarer grading by 2 blinded radiologists.

Results

There was no significant differences in mean age, male:female ratio, tear size or preoperative outcome scores between groups. There was no statistically significant difference between groups for post-op ASES, Constant, WORC and DASH score at 12months. Currently 60 of the 89 scans have been reviewed. The re-tear rate in group 1 was 19% versus 32% in group II, this is currently not significant.

Score---------------- PRP-------Saline------p value (t test)

12M WORC-------- 79 (22)........82 (20)........0.47
12M Constant------72 (21)........73 (18)........0.75
12M ASES----------81 (20)........77 (24)........0.43
12M DASH---------22 (22).........17 (18)........0.36

Conclusion

A single injection of PRP did not improve clinical outcome at 12 months following rotator cuff repair. There was a trend towards improved rotator cuff healing on MRI, however a further 29 scans are to be reviewed.