Why Platelet Rich Plasma Is the Superior Option
Partial-thickness rotator cuff tears are a common cause of shoulder pain and limited mobility, especially among active individuals. Two commonly used treatment options are corticosteroid injections and Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) therapy. While both can provide pain relief, mounting evidence shows that PRP offers more significant, long-term healing benefits—without the risks associated with cortisone. At OC Sports and Wellness, we specialize in regenerative therapies like PRP to help you avoid surgery and recover faster.
Understanding the Difference: Cortisone vs. PRP
Corticosteroid injections are widely used to manage inflammation and pain in musculoskeletal injuries. While they offer rapid relief, the effects are often temporary and may require repeat injections. More importantly, repeated cortisone shots can weaken tendons over time, increasing the risk of tendon rupture.
PRP therapy, on the other hand, involves using your body’s natural healing properties. A small sample of your blood is taken, the platelets are concentrated, and the PRP is injected directly into the injured tendon. These platelets release growth factors that stimulate tissue repair, reduce inflammation, and support long-term healing.
What the Research Shows
Recent clinical studies comparing Platelet Rich Plasma to cortisone for partial rotator cuff tears have produced compelling results:
- Short-Term Relief: Both PRP and cortisone can reduce pain and improve function within the first month post-injection.
- Long-Term Benefits: PRP shows significantly greater improvements in pain relief and shoulder function at 3- and 6-month follow-ups. Cortisone’s benefits often taper off after the first month.
- Tear Size Reduction: In a study by Tanpowpong et al., patients receiving PRP had greater reductions in tear size (3.39 mm in the coronal plane and 2.97 mm in the sagittal plane) compared to the cortisone group (1.10 mm and 0.76 mm, respectively).
- Functional Outcomes: PRP-treated patients scored higher on the American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons (ASES) and Constant-Murley Scores (CMS), indicating less pain and better shoulder function.
Why PRP Is the Better Choice for Partial Rotator Cuff Tears
- Promotes True Healing: PRP enhances the body’s natural repair mechanisms by delivering growth factors directly to the injured tissue, helping reduce tear size and regenerate tendon fibers.
- Provides Sustained Relief: PRP addresses the root cause of the pain rather than masking symptoms, offering long-lasting functional improvements and fewer repeat treatments.
- Minimizes Risk of Tendon Damage: Unlike cortisone, which can degrade tendon quality over time, PRP is a safer, biologically natural alternative derived from your own blood.
- May Help Avoid Surgery: By accelerating healing and improving tendon integrity, PRP can reduce the need for surgical intervention in many cases.
Backed by Evidence
Multiple systematic reviews and meta-analyses confirm PRP’s superiority over cortisone and placebo treatments for rotator cuff tears. These studies consistently show that PRP improves pain, function, and patient satisfaction at extended follow-up periods.
For example, a study comparing intratendinous PRP to subacromial bursa corticosteroid injections found PRP to be superior in Shoulder Pain and Disability Index (SPADI) scores and Oxford Shoulder Scores at 6 months.
Why Choose OC Sports and Wellness for PRP Therapy
At OC Sports and Wellness, we specialize in advanced regenerative treatments to help patients recover from sports injuries, overuse conditions, and degenerative joint issues. Our PRP treatments use high-quality, lab-processed platelet concentrations for optimal healing outcomes. We tailor each treatment to your specific injury and recovery goals, ensuring a patient-centered, evidence-based approach to care.
Our team has extensive experience treating partial-thickness rotator cuff tears with PRP and other non-surgical therapies. We’ve helped countless patients regain shoulder function and avoid unnecessary surgery—all with the natural healing power of their own bodies.
Take the Next Step Toward Healing
If you’re struggling with shoulder pain from a rotator cuff tear and want a solution that promotes true healing—not just temporary relief—Platelet Rich Plasma therapy at OC Sports and Wellness may be the right choice for you.
Contact us today to schedule a consultation and find out how our expert team can help you return to the activities you love, pain-free and stronger than ever.
We hope this information is helpful. At OC Sports and Wellness in Orange County, we understand the importance of balancing your health with a busy lifestyle. That’s why we offer convenient options for scheduling visits, texting, or video chatting with Dr. Sunshine. Let’s work together towards your well-being! Feel free to reach out to us at 949-460-9111.
Our sports medicine practice is within driving range of Aliso Viejo, Anaheim, Brea, Buena Park, City of Orange, Costa Mesa, Cypress, Dana Point, Fountain Valley, Fullerton, Garden Grove, Huntington Beach, Irvine Sports Medicine, La Habra, La Palma, Laguna Beach, Laguna Hills, Laguna Niguel, Laguna Woods, Lake Forest, Los Alamitos, Mission Viejo, Newport Beach, Placentia, Rancho Santa Margarita, San Clemente, San Juan Capistrano, Santa Ana, Seal Beach, Stanton, Tustin, Villa Park, Westminster, and Yorba Linda. We look forward to seeing you soon!
