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A Pilot Study Evaluating the Effectiveness of Platelet-Rich Plasma Therapy for Treating Degenerative Tendinopathies: A Randomized Control Trial with Synchronous Observational Cohort

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  • Marni Wesner
  • Terry Defreitas
  • Heather Bredy
  • Louisa Pothier
  • Ziling Qin
  • Ashley B McKillop
  • Douglas P Gross

Abstract

Objective: This pilot study aimed to inform future research evaluating the effectiveness of Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP) injection for tendinopathy. Design: Randomized control trial (RCT) and synchronous observational cohort studies. For the RCT, consecutive consenting patients treated at an academic sports medicine clinic were randomly assigned to either a PRP or placebo control group. Setting: The Glen Sather Sport Medicine Clinic, Edmonton, Canada. Patients: The RCT included 9 participants with rotator cuff tendinopathy. The cohort study included 178 participants with a variety of tendinopathies. Interventions: Patients receiving PRP were injected with 4 ml of platelets into the supraspinatus and/or infraspinatus, while patients in the placebo group were injected with 4ml of saline. All participants undertook a 3-month standardized, home-based, daily exercise program. Main Outcome Measures: Participants in the RCT were re-evaluated 3, and 6 months post-injection. Change scores before and after injection on pain, disability and MRI-documented pathology outcomes were compared. In the cohort study, pain and disability were measured at 1, 2 and 3 months post-injection. Results: For the RCT, 7 participants received PRP and 2 received placebo injections. Patients receiving PRP reported clinically important improvements in pain (>1.5/10 on VAS), disability (>15 point DASH change), and tendon pathology while those receiving placebo injections did not. In the observational cohort, statistically and clinically significant improvements in pain and disability were observed. Conclusion: This pilot study provides information for planning future studies of PRP effectiveness. Preliminary results indicate intratendinous, ultrasound-guided PRP injection may lead to improvements in pain, function, and MRI-documented tendon pathology. Trial Registration: Controlled-Trials.com ISRCTN68341698

Suggested Citation

  • Marni Wesner & Terry Defreitas & Heather Bredy & Louisa Pothier & Ziling Qin & Ashley B McKillop & Douglas P Gross, 2016. "A Pilot Study Evaluating the Effectiveness of Platelet-Rich Plasma Therapy for Treating Degenerative Tendinopathies: A Randomized Control Trial with Synchronous Observational Cohort," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 11(2), pages 1-14, February.
    • Handle: RePEc:plo:pone00:0147842
    DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0147842
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