Treatment of Rotator Cuff Tears With Platelet Rich Plasma

Treatment of Rotator Cuff Tears With Platelet Rich Plasma

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of dual platelet rich plasma (PRP) injections into the rotator cuff insertion and the area of the tendon proximal to the insertion.

Patients who have rotator cuff pathology as established by clinical exam and confirmed with MRI and have failed activity modification, will be enrolled in this study. They will receive dual platelet rich plasma (PRP) injections, one into the rotator cuff insertion and one into the area of the tendon proximal to the insertion, in one treatment session. PRP will be prepared through a double spin technique to create two 4 cc doses for injection. Patients will evaluated at 6 months, 1 year and two years for improvement in symptoms.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Rotator cuff pathology established by exam
• Rotator cuff pathology confirmed with MRI.
• Failure to improve with activity modification and physical therapy
• Willingness to stop all NSAID medication

Exclusion Criteria:

• Additional significant shoulder pathology seen on xray or MRI including: severe arthritis, significant superior labrum anterior postierior (SLAP) Type II lesions and intra-articular loose bodies.
• Shoulder surgery within 6 months.
• Presence of full thickness rotator cuff tears in patients amenable to surgical repair.