New Research from American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons finds PRP Platelet Rich Plasma more effective than cortisone injection with a 16x less risk of requiring surgery.

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.