PRP in acromio-clavicular joint arthritis – A prospective analysis

Abstract

Background: The acromioclavicular joint pathologies are one of the common causes of shoulder pain. The most common of these is the acromioclavicular joint arthritis. The management can be conservative or surgical. The conservative measures include activity modification, physiotherapy, Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs), and Intra-articular Steroid Injections (ISI). ISI has been used with variable success rates and the long-term effects are doubtful. Materials and Methods: Patients with clinical and radiological evidence of ACJ arthritis and not responding to exercise and NSAIDs for 2 months were enrolled for PRP injection. 1 mL of PRP prepared by the manual double spin method was injected into the ACJ and patients were followed for a minimum period of 6 months. Constant Score was used to measure the functional recovery at 1, 3, and 6 months post-injection therapy. Results: 13 patients including 16 shoulders were followed up for an average of 8 months (6 to 14 months).3 patients had bilateral ACJ involvement. 4 had left ACJ involvement and the rest had right side involvement. The mean pre-injection constant score was 45 (range 28-70). The mean score at the end of 1 month follow up was 69 (range 56-89). At the end of 3 months, the mean score was 81 range (63-93). Both were statistically significant improvements when compared to the pre-injection score (P=0.003,0.0021respectively). At the end of 6 months, the score was 89 range . This sequential improvement was not however statistically significant. Conclusion: ACJ arthritis is one of the common causes of shoulder pain. In our pilot study, PRP has been a promising option to treat primary ACJ arthritis. Future RCTs are needed to establish it as a superior option in the management of ACJ arthritis.