Leukocyte-Poor Platelet-Rich Plasma as an Adjuvant to Arthroscopic Rotator Cuff Repair Reduces the Retear Rate But Does Not Improve Functional Outcomes: A Double-Blind Randomized Controlled Trial.
OrthoEvidence Journal (OE Journal) - ACE Report
OE Journal. 2024;12(19):9 Am J Sports Med . 2024 May;52(6):1403-1410.What this means for my practice?
Overall, the use of leukocyte-poor PRP as an adjuvant in rotator cuff repair can significantly reduce retear rates, but it does not lead to better functional outcomes or pain relief. A key takeaway for practice is that while PRP may improve tendon healing, its role in improving overall patient recovery remains limited. The study's main limitation is the lack of long-term follow-up to assess the durability of the retear reduction over time.
Study Summary
Ninety-six patients with rotator cuff tears smaller than 3 cm were randomized to receive either arthroscopic rotator cuff repair (ARCR) with leukocyte-poor platelet-rich plasma (LP-PRP) injection (n=48) or ARCR without PRP (n=48). The primary outcome was the retear rate, assessed via MRI at six months. Secondary outcomes included pain (VAS), functional scores (ASES, SANE), and sleep quality (PSQI), evaluated at six and twelve months postoperatively. Overall, the study found that the retear rate in the PRP group was significantly lower than in the control group (15.2% vs. 34.1%, p = 0.037). However, there were no significant differences in functional outcomes between groups. The findings suggest that while LP-PRP reduces the retear rate, it does not provide clinically significant improvements in pain or function.
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