Highlights
-
Today’s Research Article: PRP heals what steroids can’t — shrinking tendon tears and restoring shoulder strength.
-
Questions from the Field: One price, all the value — why packaging PRP services beats nickel-and-diming patients.
-
Let’s Get Down to Business: Pricing PRP and shockwave right: balance affordability for patients with sustainability for your practice.
-
Come Join Us: See PRP in action — live demo, Q&A, and real patient procedures on September 4th.
If this newsletter was forwarded to you and you'd like to receive future updates directly, subscribe here.
Today’s Research Article
Effects of Platelet‐Rich Plasma in Tear Size Reduction in Partial-Thickness Tear of the Supraspinatus Tendon Compared to Corticosteroids Injection
Thanathep Tanpowpong, Marvin Thepsoparn, Numphung Numkarunarunrote, Thun Itthipanichpong, Danaithep Limskul and Phark Thanphraisan
Summary:
This randomized controlled trial compared intralesional platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injections with subacromial corticosteroid (CS) injections in patients with partial-thickness supraspinatus tendon tears. Thirty patients were enrolled, with MRI scans performed before and six months after treatment to measure tear size. Functional outcomes were also assessed using the American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons (ASES) and Constant–Murley scores (CMS).
The results showed that PRP significantly reduced tear size in both coronal (3.39 mm) and sagittal (2.97 mm) planes, while CS injections did not produce a meaningful reduction. Both groups experienced improved function, but PRP patients achieved substantially higher ASES and CMS scores at six months. The study concludes that PRP not only improves shoulder function but also promotes tendon healing, making it a superior option to corticosteroid injections for partial supraspinatus tears.
Doctor-to-Patient Talking Points on Why to Choose PRP (Based on the Study):
