Conservative Treatment of Partial-Thickness Rotator Cuff Tears and Tendinopathy With Platelet-Rich Plasma: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

This systematic review and meta-analysis evaluated the effects of platelet-rich plasma (PRP) on individuals with partial-thickness rotator cuff tears and tendinopathy, focusing on pain and function. The analysis included 9 studies with 561 patients and found that PRP treatment led to significant short-term improvements in pain and function, as indicated by decreases in the visual analogue scale (VAS) and increases in the Constant-Murley score (CMS) and Shoulder Pain and Disability Index (SPADI). However, no long-term benefits were observed, except for a sustained improvement in CMS. The study concluded that while PRP showed positive short-term clinical outcomes, the limited data and study variability prevented definitive conclusions about its long-term efficacy.