Platelet lysate and tendon healing: comparative analysis of autologous frozen-thawed PRP and ketorolac tromethamine in the treatment of patients with rotator cuff tendinopathy

Abstract Platelet-rich blood derivatives are being nowadays increasingly used in the treatment of tendon-related pathologies as a rich source of growth factors. We sought to ascertain if local application of platelet lysate (PL) to augment rotator cuff repair ameliorates patient outcomes compared to ketorolac tromethamine treated group. A total of forty patients, with clinical diagnosis of Rotator Cuff Tendinopathy were randomized to receive sub acromial injections of PL every week for a total of 3 injections and two injection of ketorolac tromethamine once every two weeks. Subjective assessments included VAS, SPADI and shoulder range of motion were assessed at baseline and at 1 and 6 months after injection. Taking both control and PL groups, it was vividly seen that the outcomes were identical at the initial state, as well as the short-term one; whereas, when considering the 6-month period, there is a seemingly remarkable superiority in PL group in all parameters.