Highlights
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PRP or Steroids for Frozen Shoulder, which offers better long-term relief?
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Knee Injections: Are You Covering All Bases? Dr. DeMers shares her approach.
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Is Your Practice Truly Patient-Centered? Discover 5 simple strategies.
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Conversations in REGEN: Register for today’s session with Dr. Don Buford.
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Workshops Worth Attending? Early bird pricing ends soon—don’t miss out!
Today’s Research Article
Comparison of the Efficacy of Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) and Local Corticosteroid Injection in Periarthritis Shoulder: A Prospective, Randomized, Open, Blinded End-Point (PROBE) Study
Govind K. Gupta , Shubhendu Shekhar , Zeya Ul Haque , Subhajit Halder , Amit K. Manjhi , Arpita Rai
Read the full article here.
Summary:
This prospective, randomized controlled trial compared the effectiveness of platelet-rich plasma (PRP) and triamcinolone (a corticosteroid) injections for periarthritis (frozen shoulder). Sixty patients were randomized into two groups, receiving either PRP or triamcinolone injections, with follow-ups at 4, 12, and 24 weeks. The study assessed pain and functional improvement using the Visual Analog Scale (VAS) and Disabilities of Arm, Shoulder, and Hand (DASH) scores. Triamcinolone demonstrated better short-term outcomes, with significant improvements in pain and function by the 12-week mark. However, PRP showed superior long-term outcomes, significantly reducing pain and improving function at 24 weeks.
While corticosteroids offer rapid relief through their anti-inflammatory properties, their effects tend to diminish over time. PRP, in contrast, promotes tissue repair and has lasting benefits by addressing all phases of capsular healing. Both treatments were well-tolerated, but PRP’s regenerative potential suggests it may be a better choice for sustained improvement. The study underscores PRP as a viable alternative to corticosteroids for patients seeking long-term relief from shoulder pain and stiffness.
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