A Comparative Study on the Effectiveness of Platelet Rich Plasma Injection versus Corticosteroid Injection in Treatment of Adhesive Capsulitis of Shoulder

Background: The aim of the study was to compare the effects of single intra-articular platelet-rich plasma (PRP) and corticosteroid (CS) injections in patients with adhesive capsulitis of the shoulder. Design: Patients aged 30–70 years of either sex, diagnosed with adhesive capsulitis of shoulder, with less than 6-month duration, were included. In intra articular corticosteroid (IA-CS, control) group, 30 patients received a single injection (2 ml) of IA-CS and in IA-PRP (test) group, 30 patients received single IA-PRP injection (2 ml) into the glenohumeral joint under ultrasound guidance. All patients were prospectively followed for 24 wks. Results: Thirty patients in IA-PRP group and thirty in IA-CS group finished the entire 24week study period. At 24 weeks, decrease in QUICK DASH score is observed in IA-PRP group, were 16, compared with 33 in IA-CS group. In range of movement, IA-PRP group showed significant improvement in abduction, internal and external rotations compared with IA-CS group, respectively No major complications were observed in any patients. Conclusions: At 24week follow-up, a single dose of IA-PRP injection was found to be more effective than an IA-CS injection, in terms of improving pain, disability & shoulder ROM in patients with adhesive capsulitis of the shoulder.