The Journal of Spinal Cord Medicine, 2022 · DOI: 10.1080/10790268.2020.1754676 · Published: January 1, 2022
This study explores a potential treatment for shoulder pain in wheelchair users with spinal cord injuries, a common issue due to overuse. The treatment involves injecting platelet-rich plasma (PRP) into the shoulder to promote healing, followed by a stretching and strengthening exercise program. The pilot study aimed to assess the safety and potential effectiveness of this approach in reducing shoulder pain.
PRP injection could offer a non-surgical alternative for managing shoulder pain in wheelchair users with SCI, potentially delaying or preventing the need for surgery.
Reduction in shoulder pain can lead to increased functional independence and improved quality of life for individuals with SCI.
The positive findings from this pilot study can inform the design of larger, more definitive clinical trials to further investigate the efficacy of PRP for rotator cuff disease in this population.