Maybe it started as a dull ache when you reached for a high shelf, or a sharp twinge during a tennis serve in Mount Pleasant. Now your shoulder hurts at night and lifting feels weaker. If imaging has shown a partial rotator cuff tear, you may be wondering whether a platelet rich plasma injection could help. This guide explains what a partial tear is, when PRP may be considered, and what the evidence shows.
What Is a Partial Rotator Cuff Tear?
The rotator cuff is a group of tendons that supports the shoulder joint and allows a wide range of motion. A rotator cuff tear happens when one of these tendons is damaged. In a partial thickness tear, the tendon is frayed or torn only part of the way through and is still attached to the bone. In a full thickness tear, the tendon is torn all the way through.
Partial tears are common in older adults and in people who play overhead sports.1,2 They can develop gradually from repeated overhead activity or appear suddenly after a fall.
Common Signs of a Partial Tear
Symptoms often include shoulder pain, weakness when lifting the arm, stiffness, and a crackling feeling with certain movements. A physical exam and X rays are the starting point, and MRI gives the clearest view of the tendon. In office ultrasound can also help evaluate the tendon in real time.
When PRP May Be Considered for a Partial Tear
Treatment for a partial tear usually begins conservatively with rest, a sling, pain medication, a cortisone injection, and exercises. A systematic review of nonsurgical care for partial tears found favorable short term results across physical therapy, PRP, and several other injections, though long term information on tendon healing is still limited.4
PRP injections for the shoulder may be considered when your symptoms persist despite these measures, or when you prefer to try a minimally invasive option before discussing rotator cuff repair. PRP is not a fit for every tear, and a larger or complete tear may call for a different plan.
What the Evidence Shows About PRP and Partial Tears
Research on PRP for partial tears is encouraging, but it is not conclusive.
A meta analysis of 11 studies with 641 patients found that PRP improved shoulder function and pain compared with placebo, and compared with other conservative treatments at 8 to 12 weeks and beyond 24 weeks.1
A 2024 systematic review found that PRP reduced pain in both the short and long term, but its benefit for function was more limited and did not last. The authors also noted large differences between studies in how PRP was prepared.2
In a double blind randomized trial, people with partial tears or tendinopathy who received ultrasound guided PRP improved more than those who received a cortisone injection at three months. By 12 months, the two groups were similar, and rates of surgery did not differ.3
Taken together, PRP may offer meaningful relief for some people, especially in the first several months, but results vary and it should not be viewed as a guaranteed fix for a torn tendon.
What to Expect at Your PRP Visit in Mount Pleasant
Before the Injection
You will be asked about allergies, bleeding disorders, and any regular medications. You may be advised to avoid anti inflammatory medicines such as aspirin and ibuprofen, along with smoking and alcohol, for a few days beforehand.
During and After the Procedure
A small amount of blood is drawn and spun in a centrifuge to separate the platelets. After a local anesthetic, the PRP is injected into the shoulder, with imaging guidance used when appropriate. The visit typically takes less than an hour. Afterward, ice can ease soreness, and you will likely avoid heavy lifting and strenuous activity for a few weeks. Improvement tends to come gradually, and some people need more than one injection.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can PRP heal a partial rotator cuff tear?
PRP may improve pain and function for some people with partial tears, but studies have not proven that it reliably repairs the tendon.1,2 Results vary from person to person.
Is PRP better than a cortisone shot for a partial tear?
It may be better in the short term, since one trial found greater improvement with PRP at three months.3 By one year, however, the difference between the two had disappeared.
How many PRP injections will you need?
It depends on your condition, and some people need more than one injection. Your plan is based on your exam, your imaging, and how your shoulder responds.
Where can you get PRP for a partial rotator cuff tear near Charleston?
You can receive PRP at our Mount Pleasant office, which welcomes patients from Charleston and Summerville. The injection is performed in the office during a single visit.
Does insurance cover PRP for a rotator cuff tear?
Usually not, because many insurance plans consider PRP investigational. Pricing is reviewed with you before anything is scheduled.
Getting Clear Answers About Your Shoulder
A partial tear does not have to mean an immediate decision about surgery. If your shoulder has been slow to improve, you can schedule a shoulder evaluation at our Mount Pleasant office, convenient to Charleston and Summerville, and talk through whether PRP fits your plan.
References
- Zhu P, Wang Z, Li H, Cai Y. Platelet-Rich Plasma Injection in Non-Operative Treatment of Partial-Thickness Rotator Cuff Tears: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Journal of Rehabilitation Medicine. 2022;54:jrm00312. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35892292/
- Desouza C, Shetty V. Effectiveness of platelet-rich plasma in partial-thickness rotator cuff tears: a systematic review. Journal of ISAKOS. 2024;9(4):699 to 708. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38641254/
- Kwong CA, Woodmass JM, Gusnowski EM, et al. Platelet-Rich Plasma in Patients With Partial-Thickness Rotator Cuff Tears or Tendinopathy Leads to Significantly Improved Short-Term Pain Relief and Function Compared With Corticosteroid Injection: A Double-Blind Randomized Controlled Trial. Arthroscopy. 2021;37(2):510 to 517. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33127554/
- Longo UG, Lalli A, Medina G, Maffulli N. Conservative Management of Partial Thickness Rotator Cuff Tears: A Systematic Review. Sports Medicine and Arthroscopy Review. 2023;31(3):80 to 87. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37976129/