Platelet rich plasma therapy forshoulder tendinopathy: a systematicreview

Abstract

Background: There is afascinating interest inplatelet-rich plasma (PRP)injection as a treatment for shoulder tendinopathy. Objective: To determine the efficacy of platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injections for shoulder tendinopathycompared with other existing conventional methods. Design: Systematic review Data Sources: PubMed, Scopus, EMBASE, and Cochrane Librarypublished up to October 15, 2020 Study Eligibility Criteria:Randomized controlled trials, single-arm interventional study, and a prospective open-label study comparing PRP with conventional methods (saline, sham injection, dry needling, corticosteroid. non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, physiotherapy, and hyaluronic acid) in patients with shoulder tendinopathy. The search included only in vivo studies and excludednon-human studies. Study Appraisal and Synthesis Methods: A systematic review was carried out in accordance with the PRISMA statement. The authors reviewed and tabulated data according to the year of study and journal, study type and level of evidence, study population, intervention, outcomes, and interpretation. Results: Among the 228 records screened, 11 studies were included in the systematic review study. The selected studies focused on the application of PRP in the treatment of shoulder tendinopathy. Among 11 studies, 9 studies demonstrated favourable outcomes such as improved pain and functional scoresafter the PRP application for shoulder tendinopathy. In two studies, no statistically significant differences were seen regarding clinical outcomes. Conclusions: Injection of PRP is more efficacious than control injections in patients with shoulder tendinopathy.