Francesco Arrigoni, Presenter: Nothing to Disclose

Lorenzo Maria Gregori, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Alice La Marra MD, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Luigi Zugaro, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Antonio Barile MD, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Carlo Masciocchi MD, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

There is currently no literature describing the diagnostic imaging of the long-term outcomes in case of US-guided PRP injection of the supraspinatus tendon. The aim of this study was to evaluate the evolution of the degenerative tendinopathy of the rotator cuff from the morphological (MRI images) and clinical point of view 4 years after treatment with US-guided PRP injection of the supraspinatus tendon, compared with patients submitted to medical and physical therapy alone.

We retrospectively evaluated 240 patients (all patients with history of trauma or surgery during the follow-up were excluded), 120 treated 4 years before with US-guided PRP injection of the supraspinatus tendon (group 1, G1) and 120 submitted, over a 4 year period, to medical and physical therapy alone (group 2, G2). For each patient, 2 radiologists independently evaluated the MRI performed before and 4 years after the injection (G1) or, in the G2, 2 MRIs performed at the distance of 4 years from each other, dividing the results into 3 categories for each group: improvement, stationary findings or worsening. A clinical and functional evaluation was also performed (VAS and Constant scale).

We recorded an improvement in the MRI appearance of the supraspinatus tendon in 31.7% of the G1 and only in 3.3% of G2; stationary findings were found in 48.3% in the G1 and in 34.2% in the G2, while worsening was of 20% in G1 and 62.5% in G2. Clinical evaluation: the mean VAS values showed improvement of 74.5% for the G1 and of 16.2% for G2; mean Constant values showed improvement of 56% (G1) and 9% (G2).

This study suggests that the US-guided PRP injection can be effectively used in the rotator cuff tendinopathy. Our results show the ability to regenerate and delay the degenerative processes: not only there is a higher percentage of patients with an improvement of the MRI appearance of the supraspinatus tendon 4 years after PRP injection, but also the number of patients that show a worsening of the MRI findings is lower in the G1 than in the G2. The clinical findings reflect positive outcomes in terms of pain relief and functional improvement.

To evaluate, with a 4 year follow-up, clinical and functional effects and imaging findings of US-guided PRP injections of the supraspinatus tendon compared with natural history of tendinopathy.

Arrigoni, F, Gregori, L, La Marra, A, Zugaro, L, Barile, A, Masciocchi, C, May Intratendinous US-guided Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP) Injection Modify the Natural History of Degenerative Tendinopathy of Rotator Cuff Tendons of the Shoulder? Results of 4 years of Clinical and MRI Follow-up.  Radiological Society of North America 2014 Scientific Assembly and Annual Meeting, - ,Chicago IL. http://archive.rsna.org/2014/14005557.html