The Contribution of Platelet-Rich Plasma to the Surgical Treatment of Rotator Cuff Tear: An Experimental Study

All patients received general anesthesia and were operated on in the "beach chair" position. Concerning the arthroscopic rotator cuff repair, systematic glenohumeral joint and subacromial exploration were performed, and lesions were managed as necessary. In each case, after the frayed and atrophied torn end was removed, the rotator cuff tear was carefully evaluated, and anteroposterior size, mediolateral retraction, number of involved tendons, visual tendon grade, excursion, and presence of the subscapularis tear were assessed. Debridement of bursal tissue and subacromial and distal clavicle osteophytes was minimally performed. Extensive acromioplasty to flatten a hooked or curved acromion was rarely performed. Rotator cuff repair was performed to cover the original footprint using suture anchors that were inserted through the accessory portal. The patients of both groups followed the same postoperative rehabilitation protocol.

The patients of treatment goup were administered a single intraarticular PRP injection in the operated shoulder at 10-15 days postoperatively. An autologous sample of 9 ml of peripheral blood was collected, and after addition of anticoagulant and preparation with a centrifuge for 6 minutes, 4ml of PRP was received and injected intraarticularly in a subacromial fashion.