Year: 2025 | Month: May | Volume: 12 | Issue: 5 | Pages: 665-672
DOI: https://doi.org/10.52403/ijrr.20250570
The Differences in Western Ontario Rotator Cuff Scores and Transforming Growth Factor-Β Levels Between the use of Platelet Rich Plasma Therapy and Non-Platelet Rich Plasma Therapy in the Conservative Management of Patients with Partial Rotator Cuff Injury
Jemie Rudyan1, I Wayan Suryanto Dusak2, I Gusti Ngurah Wien Aryana2, Elysanti Dwi Mertadiani3
1Resident, Dept. Orthopaedic & Traumatology, Prof IGNG Ngoerah General Hospital, Udayana University, Bali, Indonesia
2Orthopaedic Surgeon, Dept. Orthopaedic & Traumatology, Prof IGNG Ngoerah General Hospital, Udayana University, Bali, Indonesia
3Radiologist Consultant, Dept. Radiology, Prof IGNG Ngoerah General Hospital, Udayana University, Bali, Indonesia
Corresponding Author: Jemie Rudyan
ABSTRACT
Introduction: Partial rotator cuff injuries are a major cause of shoulder pain and significant functional impairment. Conservative therapy with physiotherapy and steroid injections is commonly used but has limitations in long-term effectiveness. Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP) has emerged as an alternative therapy with the potential to accelerate healing through regenerative and anti-inflammatory mechanisms. However, the effectiveness of PRP in improving shoulder function and Transforming Growth Factor-β (TGF-β) levels in patients with partial rotator cuff injuries still needs further investigation. This study aims to determine the differences in the Western Ontario Rotator Cuff Index (WORC) score and TGF-β levels in patients with partial rotator cuff injuries who receive conservative physiotherapy with and without PRP injections.
Material & Methods: This study is an observational analytic study with a prospective cohort design. Data were obtained from the medical records of patients with partial rotator cuff injuries who underwent conservative therapy with or without PRP injections. WORC scores and TGF-β levels were measured before therapy and three months after treatment. Statistical analysis was performed to evaluate differences between the two groups.
Results: The study results indicate a more significant decrease in WORC scores in the group receiving PRP injections compared to the physiotherapy group without PRP. Additionally, TGF-β levels increased more in the PRP group than in the conservative therapy group, suggesting a better regenerative effect than standard conservative therapy.
Conclusion: The administration of PRP injections in patients with partial rotator cuff injuries yields better outcomes in reducing WORC scores and increasing TGF-β levels compared to conservative physiotherapy. These findings support the potential of PRP as an adjunct therapy in the conservative management of partial rotator cuff injuries.
Keywords: Conservative Therapy, Partial Rotator Cuff, Platelet Rich Plasma, Transforming Growth Factor-β, Western Ontario Rotator Cuff Index
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