One year results of intraarticular platelet rich plasma in adhesive capsulitis of shoulder

Adhesive capsulitis (AC) is characterized by persistent inflammatory changes of the glenohumeral joint capsule leading to a thick, contracted capsule with a painful significant reduction of active & passive movement. Multiple therapeutic approaches have been attempted in isolation or in combination with variable responses. Intra-articular corticosteroid (IA-CS) injection is still the most popular treatment for treating AC, due to the patient’s acceptance and cost-effectiveness. The purpose of this study was to compare the outcomes of intra-articular injections of Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) and Methylprednisolone acetate (MPS) in patients with primary adhesive capsulitis shoulder. The study finally included 66 subjects, divided into Group A (receiving PRP) and Group B (receiving methylprednisolone). The assessment was done at baseline and 3 monthly intervals till 12 months after injection. Clinical and functional outcomes were recorded. Age, gender, BMI, and symptom duration were similar in both groups (p > 0.05). The MPS therapy group showed a significant decrease in VAS score and Constant Murley Score (CMS) until 3 months and Shoulder Pain and Disability Index (SPADI) until 6 months. They deteriorated again significantly at 12 months follow-up. PRP therapy showed significant sequential improvement in VAS, SPADI, and CMS till 12-months’ follow-up. Both PRP & Steroid showed improvement in treating frozen shoulder. However, PRP resulted in significant long-term pain relief and functional improvement in shoulder motion compared with steroid injection. Original research article.