Systematic review on the use of platelet-rich fibrin as a treatment for rotator cuff injuries

Abstract

This article discusses the use of platelet-rich fibrin as an alternative for the treatment of rotator cuff injuries. Recent studies show that the use of these products reduces lesion recurrence and improves clinical outcomes. The purpose of this study was to perform a systematic review of the use of platelet-rich fibrin in the treatment of partial and complete rotator cuff injuries. From an initial search of 703 articles on electronic platforms, seven articles were selected for full reading and inclusion. Simple arthroscopy was the most common type of surgical intervention used. The sample sizes of the studies ranged from a minimum of 20 to a maximum of 88 patients. The results indicate that the use of platelet-rich fibrin is effective in rotator cuff repair, with better clinical outcomes and lower recurrence rates when compared to traditional methods. Various methods, such as prospective randomized controlled trials, double-blind studies and clinical trials, have been used and have reported positive effects on rotator cuff healing.