RESUMO
Introduction Periarthritis of the shoulder, or frozen shoulder (FS), is a common, painful, and disabling condition with varied treatment strategies. Intra-articular (IA) corticosteroid (CS) injections are a popular treatment option, but their efficacy is often temporary. Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) has emerged as an alternative therapy for adhesive capsulitis, but the literature on its effectiveness is limited. This study aimed to compare the efficacy of IA PRP and CS injections in managing FS. Methods In this prospective, randomized study, 68 patients who met the inclusion criteria were enrolled and randomized using a computer-generated table into two groups: Group 1 (IA PRP) received 4 ml PRP, and Group 2 (IA CS) received 2 ml (80 mg) of methylprednisolone acetate mixed with 2 ml normal saline (for a total of 4 ml) as a CS injection in the IA area of the shoulder. Outcome measures included pain; shoulder range of motion (ROM); the condensed version of the disabling conditions of the arm, shoulder, and hand (QuickDASH) score; and the shoulder pain and disability index (SPADI) score. Participants were monitored via follow-up for 24 weeks, with pain and function assessed at each evaluation using the visual analog scale (VAS) score, the SPADI score, and the QuickDASH score. Results The IA PRP injections demonstrated better long-term outcomes than the IA CS injections, significantly improving pain, shoulder ROM, and daily activity performance. After 24 weeks, the mean VAS score in the PRP and methylprednisolone acetate groups was 1.00 (1.0 to 1.0) and 2.00 (2.0 to 2.0), respectively (P≤0.001). The mean QuickDASH score was 41.83 ± 6.33 in the PRP group and 48.76 ± 5.08 in the methylprednisolone acetate group (P≤0.001). The mean SPADI score was 53.32 ± 7.49 in the PRP group and 59.24 ± 5.80 in the methylprednisolone acetate group (P≤0.001), indicating a significant improvement in the PRP group's pain and disability scores after 24 weeks. The rate of complications was similar between the two groups. Conclusions Our findings suggest that IA PRP injections provide better long-term results than IA CS injections for managing FS. Platelet-rich plasma can be used as a treatment modality for better outcomes, particularly when the patient is contraindicated or refuses CS treatment. Further research is needed to evaluate the efficacy of these treatment modalities at different stages of FS and explore the potential benefits of ultrasound-guided injections.
RESUMO
Adhesive capsulitis shoulder is a common problem of patients presenting with shoulder pain and disability. The approach to such patients includes a variety of modalities. This systematic review evaluates the efficacy of intra-articular injections of platelet-rich plasma (PRP) in the treatment. A literature search was performed between January 2010 and 30 May 2022. MeSH terms used were 'Platelet-rich plasma' OR 'PRP' AND 'Frozen shoulder' OR 'Adhesive capsulitis shoulder' OR 'Periarthritis shoulder'. The search included published articles in the English language involving human subjects. Studies evaluating other types of shoulder disorders, in vitro studies, review articles, animal-model studies, and pre-clinical trials were excluded. The data regarding study characteristics, efficacy, and safety outcomes were analyzed. A total of 11 studies with 347 patients over 10 years were finally included in this review. Most publications were in 2019 and 2020, mostly from India. This review included seven comparative studies, three case series, and one case report. In seven studies, a single intra-articular PRP injection was administered, whereas in the rest of the studies two or multiple injections were given. Only one study demonstrated an equivocal efficacy of PRP and steroid intra-articular injection. The rest all depicted better clinical and functional outcomes with the PRP injection. Only one study compared the outcomes of hydro-dissection treatment in adhesive capsulitis with the intra-articular PRP injection. The rest all either examined PRP alone or compared it with the steroid intra-articular injection. None of the studies showed any major side effects. The intra-articular injections of PRP in the management of adhesive capsulitis of the shoulder provide a new treatment approach. Further studies are required to ascertain the efficacy and safety of the PRP intraarticular injection as a management alternative in adhesive capsulitis.