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.
Eligibility
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