Objective: The objective of this study was to compare the effects of single intra-articular platelet-rich plasma (PRP) and corticosteroid (CS) injections in patients diagnosed with adhesive capsulitis of the shoulder.
Design: Patients between the ages of 30-70 years, of either sex, diagnosed with adhesive capsulitis of the shoulder with a duration of less than 6 months, were included. In the intra-articular corticosteroid (IA-CS, control) group, 30 patients received a single injection of IA-CS (2 ml), while in the IA-PRP (test) group, 30 patients received a single IA-PRP injection (2 ml) into the glenohumeral joint under ultrasound guidance. All patients were prospectively followed for 24 weeks.
Results: Thirty patients in the IA-PRP group and thirty in the IA-CS group completed the entire 24-week study period. At 24 weeks, a decrease in QUICK DASH score was observed in the IA-PRP group (16) compared to the IA-CS group (33). In terms of range of movement, the IA-PRP group showed significant improvement in abduction, internal rotation, and external rotation compared to the IA-CS group. No major complications were observed in any patients.
Conclusions: At the 24-week follow-up, a single dose of IA-PRP injection was found to be more effective than an IA-CS injection in improving pain, disability, and shoulder range of motion in patients with adhesive capsulitis of the shoulder.
