Unlocking the Healing Power of Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP) for Shoulder Pain 

by Kristy Como Armand 

Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP) therapy is an effective treatment for shoulder pain due to rotator cuff tears and labrum tears. It has emerged as an effective treatment for various musculoskeletal conditions.  

Brett Cascio, MD, orthopaedic surgeon and sports medicine specialist with Cascio Sports & Orthopaedics and Imperial Health, explains that PRP is a concentrated solution derived from the patient’s own blood, enriched with a higher-than-normal concentration of platelets. “These platelets contain growth factors and bioactive proteins crucial for tissue repair and regeneration,” he says. “When injected into damaged tissues, PRP leverages the body’s natural healing processes to accelerate recovery, reduce pain, and improve function, making it an appealing option for many types of acute and chronic shoulder pain, tears, and frozen shoulder.”  

Shoulder pain can result from various conditions, including rotator cuff tears, tendinitis, bursitis, frozen shoulder/adhesive capsulitis, and arthritis. Dr. Cascio says traditional treatments like physical therapy, anti-inflammatory medications, and corticosteroid injections may offer temporary relief but often fall short of providing long-term solutions. “In many cases, surgery may be needed to repair the injured joint after other treatments no longer provide relief, but PRP injections have given us a new, very effective treatment option that can delay, or even eliminate, the need for surgery. PRP addresses the underlying issues causing pain by enhancing the body’s natural healing capabilities.” 

PRP therapy involves drawing a small amount of the patient’s blood, which is then spun down to concentrate the platelets that contain growth factors and other bioactive proteins that play a crucial role in tissue repair and regeneration. The concentrated PRP is then injected into the affected area, such as the shoulder, where it promotes healing of the damaged tissues.  

Dr. Cascio says he is seeing a 70% rate of patient satisfaction with PRP in his practice. “Not only are patients experiencing reduced pain and improved function, but they also love the simplicity of the process. The treatment takes about 15 minutes in the office and involves just a blood draw and injection. Ultrasound is used in some cases to guide the injection. There’s no missed work time, nor is a sling or narcotic pain relief needed. Most patients report significant improvement a few weeks after their injection, with full results within six weeks. Best of all, the results can be long-lasting.”  

PRP injections can be used to treat a wide variety of musculoskeletal injuries. “This is a game-changer for how we treat many sports injuries,” adds Dr. Cascio. “By harnessing the body’s own healing power, we’re able to help athletes of all ages return to their sport or other activities.”  

Learn more about PRP injections at casciosports.com or call (337) 508-1000.