Comparison of the Functional OutcomeBetween Intra-Articular Corticosteroid Injection versus Platelet-Rich Plasma in Patients with Adhesive Capsulitis

Abstract

Objective: To compare mean resting pain relief and passive external rotation improvement by Intra-articular Steroid versus intra-articular Platelet Rich Plasma injection in patients with adhesive capsulitis.

Study Design: Prospective comparative study.

Place and Duration of Study: Armed Forces Institute of Rehabilitation Medicine, Rawalpindi Pakistan, from Jan to Jun 2019.

Methodology: A total of 60 patients were included in the study. Group-A and B received Intra-articular 40mg Triamcinolone Acetonide with 1 ml 1% Lignocaine and platelet-rich plasma injections in affected shoulders, respectively. Pain severity was assessed on the Numeric Rating Scale, and passive external rotation was assessed by goniometry at baseline, i.e., preintervention, six weeks and 12 weeks intervals.

Results: In our study, the NRS scale for pain was 3.030.76 at six weeks and 1.230.77 at 12 weeks with PRP versus 5.070.87 at six weeks and 3.200.89 with Corticosteroids at 12 weeks post-intervention, with the p-value of <0.001 showing increased efficacy of PRP. While passive external rotation was 70.275.26 at six weeks and 82.304.84 at 12 weeks with PRP versus 61.35.28 at six weeks and 71.806.99 with corticosteroids at 12 weeks post-intervention, with the p-value of <0.001 showing increased efficacy of PRP.

Conclusion: There was a significant improvement in mean resting pain relief and passive external rotation after platelet-rich plasma injection in the shoulder joint adhesive capsulitis compared to intra-articular Steroids.