The effect of platelet-rich plasma combined with arthroscopic release in the treatment of frozen shoulder

Objective: To evaluate the efficacy of platelet-rich plasma (PRP) combined with arthroscopic release in the treatment of frozen shoulder. Method: A retrospective analysis was conducted on 50 frozen shoulder patients admitted to the Orthopedics Department of Wuhan Third Hospital from January 2019 to January 2023. The two groups were divided according to the difference in postoperative medication injection: the PRP group (25 patients) and the triamcinolone acetonide (TC) group (25 patients). The basic information of the two groups of patients was documented and compared. The Visual Analog Scale (VAS), Constant-Murley Shoulder Function Score (CMS), the Rotator Cuff Quality-of-life Measure (RC-QOL) , and the range of motion of active forward flexion, abduction, and external rotation of the shoulder were recorded and compared before surgery and at 1 month, 3 months, 6 months, and 12 months after surgery. Results: There were no significant differences in basic demographic information, such as age, sex, disease course, affected side, between the two groups of patients. Moreover, there were no statistically significant differences in the preoperative VAS score, CMS, or joint range of motion between the two groups of patients. Compared to the preoperative values, both groups of patients exhibited significant differences in the VAS score and CMS at each observation time point after surgery. Additionally, there was no statistically significant difference in CMS at 1 month and 3 months after surgery. At 6 months and 12 months after surgery, the patients in the PRP group had significantly higher CMS scores compared to those in the triamcinolone acetonide group. Within 6 months after surgery, the PRP group exhibited better range of motion in all directions compared to the triamcinolone acetonide group, with statistically significant differences. The RC-QOL scores of patients in the PRP group were higher than those in the triamcinolone acetonide group at 6 and 12 months after surgery. Conclusion: PRP combined with arthroscopic release can effectively alleviate pain in frozen shoulder and improve shoulder joint function, making it an effective treatment plan.