Background: Greater trochanteric pain syndrome (GTPS) is a painful condition that can impair a patient's quality of life. If nonoperative measures fail, progressively more invasive treatment options may be required. This clinical trial aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of ultrasound-guided leukocyte-rich platelet-rich plasma (LR-PRP) injections in the treatment of refractory GTPS caused by bursitis and/or gluteal tendinopathy.
Methods: An ethically approved, adequately powered, double-blinded randomized controlled trial (RCT) was conducted to evaluate the clinical outcomes in randomized LR-PRP and placebo groups using the International Hip Outcome Tool-12 (iHOT-12), a visual analogue scale (VAS) for pain, the modified Harris hip score (mHHS), the EuroQol 5-Dimensions (EQ-5D) questionnaire, and the presence or absence of complications. All injections were performed under ultrasound guidance into the trochanteric bursa and gluteus medius tendon.
Results: The final analysis included 79 patients (39 in the LR-PRP and 40 in the placebo group; 73 female and 6 male; all Caucasian). Both the LR-PRP and the placebo group generally had improvement from baseline that was maintained to 12 months. The only deterioration in scores compared to baseline was seen in the LR-PRP group for the iHOT-12 at 12 months, the EQ-5D index at 3 and 6 months, and the EQ-5D VAS at all follow-up time points. However, there was no significant difference between the 2 groups at any follow-up point (p > 0.05). A multivariable linear regression model, with adjustment for age, sex, body mass index, and preoperative baseline score, did not reveal any significant associations between iHOT-12 and EQ-5D score gains at 12 months and treatment.
Conclusions: This randomized trial found no significant difference in outcomes between LR-PRP and placebo for the treatment of greater trochanteric pain up to 6 months following the intervention. As a result, we do not support the routine use of PRP for the treatment of this condition.
Level of evidence: Therapeutic Level I . See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.
Copyright © 2025 Written work prepared by employees of the Federal Government as part of their official duties is, under the United States Copyright Act, a ‘work of the United States Government’ for which copyright protection under that Act is not available. As such, copyright protection does not extend to the contributions of employees of the Federal Government prepared as part of their employment.