Corticosteroid Versus PRP Injections for Shoulder Tendinopathy

Hopital Charles Nicolle

Status: Enrolling

Conditions: Tendinopathy of Rotator Cuff

Treatments: Procedure: Corticosteroid Injection; Procedure: platelet-rich plasma injection

Study type: Interventional

Funder types: Other

Identifiers

NCT07094178

PRP-CS-2025-CN

Details and patient eligibility

About

Shoulder tendinopathy is a common condition that causes shoulder pain and limits daily activities. It often results from damage or overuse of the rotator cuff tendons. Treatment typically includes rest, physical therapy, anti-inflammatory medications, and sometimes injections.

This clinical trial aims to compare the effectiveness of two types of injections for treating simple shoulder tendinopathy:

Corticosteroid injections, which reduce inflammation and provide quick pain relief, but may have only short-term effects.

Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) injections, a newer treatment made from the patient's own blood, which may promote long-term healing.

The study is being conducted at the Rheumatology Department of Charles Nicolle Hospital in Tunis, Tunisia. A total of 60 adult patients with shoulder tendinopathy will be randomly assigned to receive either a corticosteroid injection or a PRP injection.

Participants will be evaluated before the injection (baseline), after one week, and after three months. The researchers will assess pain levels using a visual analog scale (VAS), and shoulder function using validated questionnaires (DASH and SPADI scores).

The goal is to determine which treatment provides better pain relief and functional improvement over time.

Enrollment: 60 estimated patients

Sex: All

Ages: 18+ years old

Volunteers: No Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

• Adults aged 18 years and older
• Diagnosed with simple tendinopathy of the shoulder confirmed by clinical examination and imaging
• Experiencing shoulder pain for at least 4 weeks
• Able to provide informed consent

Exclusion criteria

• Previous shoulder surgery on the affected side
• Presence of rotator cuff tear or severe shoulder pathology
• Systemic inflammatory diseases (e.g., rheumatoid arthritis)
• Recent corticosteroid injection in the affected shoulder (within last 3 months)
• Contraindications to corticosteroids or PRP treatment
• Pregnancy or breastfeeding

Trial design

Primary purpose: Treatment

Allocation: Randomized

Interventional model: Parallel Assignment

Masking: None (Open label)

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60 participants in 2 patient groups

Corticosteroid Injection

Experimental group

Description:

Participants in this arm will receive a single infiltration of corticosteroids into the affected shoulder tendon. Corticosteroids are anti-inflammatory medications commonly used to reduce pain and inflammation in tendinopathies. The injection aims to provide rapid pain relief and improve shoulder function. Patients will be monitored for pain reduction and functional improvement at one week and three months after the injection.

Treatment:

Procedure: Corticosteroid Injection

Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) Injection

Experimental group

Description:

Participants in this arm will receive a single infiltration of Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) into the affected shoulder tendon. PRP is prepared from the patient's own blood and contains growth factors that may promote tissue healing and regeneration. This treatment aims to provide longer-term pain relief and functional improvement. Patients will be evaluated for pain and shoulder function at one week and three months following the injection.

Treatment:

Procedure: platelet-rich plasma injection