Issue:
Shoulder injuries are very frequent causes of work disability and very costly to treat. To date there have been no approved non operative therapies for the ongoing treatment of persistent shoulder pain. This study proposes to test the effectiveness of prolotherapy, a technique which has been shown to encourage tissue growth and repair in other areas of the body. This research will focus on this treatment applied to injuries to the shoulder’s rotator cuff.
Objectives:
This research aims to determine whether prolotherapy does indeed relieve shoulder pain in a matter of days or weeks, rather than months or years, and is effective in allowing workers to return to work shortly after their injury instead of months late, which will also reduce injury costs.
Anticipated Results:
It is anticipated that those receiving prolotherapy would show a more complete resolution of their pain, quicker and longer lasting return to normal shoulder function, need less pain medication, and show evidence of tendon healing on ultrasound better than those receiving placebo injections.
Investigators:
Helene Bertrand (University of British Columbia)
