Corticosteroid Versus PRP Injections for Shoulder Tendinopathy
For patients and families
In plain language
An automatic summary of structured registry data. It is an orientation aid, not a substitute for the official protocol or a physician assessment.
- What is being studied
- The protocol lists: Corticosteroid Injection, platelet-rich plasma injection.
- Who it may be relevant to
- Registry conditions: Tendinopathy of Rotator Cuff. Basic parameters: from 18 years · All.
- What needs checking
- Age, condition and sex are only basic indicators. Prior treatment, laboratory values and other mandatory requirements appear in the eligibility criteria below.
- Where it takes place
- Tunisia
- Next step
- Save the trial, show it to the treating physician, and confirm current recruitment with the study center. Costs, documents and travel →
Unsure about the terms? Read our patient guide →
Official title
Efficacy of Corticosteroid Versus Platelet-Rich Plasma Injections in the Treatment of Shoulder Tendinopathy: A Randomized Controlled Trial
Overview
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.
Interventions
- Procedure Corticosteroid Injection
This intervention consists of a single injection of corticosteroids administered directly into the affected tendon of the shoulder. Corticosteroids are anti-inflammatory drugs used to rapidly reduce inflammation and pain associated with tendinopathy. The injection is performed under aseptic conditions by a trained physician. The aim is to provide quick pain relief and improve shoulder function, although effects may be temporary. - Procedure platelet-rich plasma injection
This intervention involves a single injection of Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP), which is prepared from the patient's own blood through a process of centrifugation to concentrate platelets. PRP contains growth factors that may promote tissue healing and regeneration. The injection is administered under aseptic conditions into the affected shoulder tendon by a trained physician. The goal is to enhance long-term recovery of tendon function and reduce pain.
Primary outcome measures
- Change in pain intensity measured by Visual Analog Scale (VAS) [Time frame: baseline, 1 week, 3 months]
- Change in shoulder function measured by the Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand (DASH) score [Time frame: baseline, 1 week and 3 months]
- Change in shoulder pain and disability measured by the Shoulder Pain and Disability Index (SPADI) [Time frame: baseline, 1 week, 3 months]
Eligibility criteria
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
Criteria are shown verbatim from the registry (in English). Final eligibility is always assessed by the study center.
Healthy volunteers: No
Study design
- Allocation
- Randomized
- Model
- Parallel assignment
- Masking
- Open label
- Primary purpose
- Treatment
Study locations
Tunisia · 1 center
- Charles Nicolle Hospital — Tunis
Publications
- Bouden S, Jebali C, Ben Dhia S, Rouached L, Saidane O, Mahmoud I, Tekaya R, Ben Tekaya A, Abdelmoula L. Shoulder injection of platelet-rich plasma versus corticosteroids in rotator cuff tendinopathies. Scand J Rheumatol. 2026 Mar 18:1-8. doi: 10.1080/03009742.2026.2620888. Online ahead of print. PMID 41848176
Identifiers
NCT: NCT07094178 · PRP-CS-2025-CN