Ultrasound-guided platelet-rich plasma versus corticosteroid injection for supraspinatus tendinopathy: a randomized comparative study

This study demonstrates that ultrasound-guided injection of platelet-rich plasma (PRP) is significantly effective in treating supraspinatus tendinopathy, providing higher evidence-based medical support and data. Methods A total of 60 patients meeting inclusion and exclusion criteria were selected from the Department of Orthopedics at Nanping People's Hospital, either as inpatients or outpatients, between September 1, 2021, and December 31, 2023. Patients were randomly allocated in a 1:1 ratio to either Group A or Group B. The randomization sequence was generated by a research assistant not involved in patient recruitment or assessment, using a computer-generated random number table. Group assignments were sealed in sequentially numbered, opaque envelopes. Upon a patient's enrollment, the next available envelope in the sequence was opened by the treating physician to reveal the group assignment, thereby ensuring allocation concealment.The Group A received ultrasound-guided local PRP injections, while the Group B underwent ultrasound-guided local corticosteroid injections, with both groups having a treatment duration of 2 weeks. Pain scores (using the Visual Analogue Scale, VAS), shoulder function scores (Constant score), and tendon thickness were compared at baseline,1 week,1 month,and 3 months post-treatment to evaluate the clinical efficacy of the treatment for supraspinatus tendinopathy. Results There was no statistically significant difference in VAS scores between the two groups at baseline and at 2 weeks post-treatment (P>0.05); however, at 1 week post-treatment, the VAS score for the Group A was higher than that of the Group B, while at 1 month and 3 months post-treatment, the VAS scores for the Group A were lower than those of the Group B, with statistical significance (P<0.05). For the Constant score, there were no statistically significant differences between the two groups at baseline, at 1 week, or at 2 weeks post-treatment (P>0.05). However, at 1 month and 3 months post-treatment, the Constant scores for the Group A were higher than those of the Group B, with statistical significance (P<0.05). At 3 months post-treatment, the tendon thickness in the Group A was lower than that in the Group B, with statistical significance (P<0.05). Conclusion Ultrasound-guided PRP injection showed superior outcomes compared to corticosteroid injection in terms of pain relief, functional improvement, and tendon thickness reduction at medium-term follow-up, though these findings require confirmation through more comprehensive imaging assessment and controlled trials.