The effect of physiotherapy in rotator cuff injury patients with platelet-rich plasma: study protocol of a non-randomized controlled trial

BACKGROUND: The study aims to identify whether Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) combined with early physiotherapy has an advantage over PRP alone for rotator cuff injury patients, regarding pain release, function score, tear size, and quality of life improvement. METHODS: This is a single-center prospective non-randomized study implemented in July 2019 at the Affiliated Hospital of Southwest Medical University in Sichuan. Three hundred-forteen patients with rotator cuff injury aged over 18 years were recruited. Participants were assigned to the experiment group (PRP plus physiotherapy) or control group (PRP) by their desire. We used the Constant-Murley score to assess the shoulder function, the Visual Analogue Scale to evaluate shoulder pain, and the MOS Item Short-form Health Survey (SF-12) to measure the quality of life. MRI was applied to measure tear size, and the follow-up duration is 12 months. DISCUSSION: Our findings will give information on the effects of PRP and physiotherapy on rotator cuff injuries. Physiotherapy might be added to improve the effects of PRP in patients with rotator cuff injuries. TRIAL REGISTRATION: This study was registered in the Chinese clinical trial registry on September 1st, 2019 (ChiCTR1900025563). SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12891-021-04171-2.