Award winning research was presented from Ireland showing that patients with rotator cuff tendinopathy(shoulder pain) had dramatically better results with PRP compared to steroid (cortisone)shots. 204 patients were followed for 1 year. According to the AAOS: At 12-month follow-up, patients who received a series of PRP injections were 16 times less likely to have undergone surgical intervention than patients who received corticosteroid injections,” the authors said. The authors concluded that PRP injections are a clinically safe and cost-effective treatment alternative to corticosteroid injections for RCT pain. Steroid injections are known to damage tendons and may promote cell death. PRP may represent a healthier alternative while improving pain and reducing the need for surgery. At the Orthohealing Center, we have been using PRP for rotator cuff tears and tendinopathy for 6 years with very encouraging results, although more trials are needed to better understand the mechanisms of pain reduction and improved function.