Can PRP Help Heal a Torn Rotator Cuff Tendon?

A 2026 randomized controlled trial found that adding ultrasound-guided PRP to physical therapy shrank tendon tears and improved shoulder function more than physical therapy alone in patients with partial supraspinatus tears.

A Closer Look at Partial Rotator Cuff Tears

The rotator cuff is a group of four muscles and their tendons that stabilize the shoulder and allow you to lift and rotate your arm. The supraspinatus is the most commonly injured of these tendons. When it develops a partial-thickness tear — meaning the tendon is damaged but not torn all the way through — the result is often persistent shoulder pain, weakness, and difficulty with overhead activities. “Articular-sided” tears, which occur on the underside of the tendon facing the joint, are a frequent source of this kind of pain.

Many partial tears are managed without surgery, typically starting with physical therapy. But a new randomized controlled trial asked a practical question: does adding platelet-rich plasma (PRP) to a standard rehabilitation program lead to better results than physical therapy on its own?

What the Study Looked At

Published in 2026, this single-center prospective randomized controlled trial enrolled 63 patients between 25 and 65 years old, each with an isolated articular-sided partial supraspinatus tear confirmed on magnetic resonance arthrography (MRA), a detailed type of MRI imaging. Participants were randomly assigned to one of two groups:

• Control group (31 patients): physical therapy alone.
• PRP group (32 patients): the same physical therapy program plus two doses of ultrasound-guided PRP injected into the area of the tear.

Because PRP is made from a concentrated portion of the patient’s own blood, the injection delivers a high dose of growth factors directly to the injured tendon. Using ultrasound guidance helps the clinician place that injection precisely at the site of the tear.

How Results Were Measured

The researchers used both imaging and clinical scores to judge whether treatment worked. The primary outcome was the change in tear volume measured on MRA — in other words, whether the tear physically got smaller. Patients were also evaluated with the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) for pain and the Constant-Murley Score (CMS) for shoulder function, both before and after treatment.

What the Trial Found

The group that received PRP in addition to physical therapy showed a significantly greater reduction in tendon tear volume than the physical-therapy-only group. This is a notable finding, because it points to a measurable structural change in the tendon — not just how the shoulder felt, but how it looked on imaging.

Both groups improved on pain and function scores, which reflects the real value of physical therapy. However, the improvement in Constant-Murley function scores was significantly greater in the PRP group (p < 0.01). The authors concluded that combining PRP with physical therapy was more effective — both radiologically and clinically — than physical therapy alone for articular-sided partial-thickness supraspinatus tears.

Why This Matters for Patients

Partial rotator cuff tears sit in a frustrating middle ground: often too significant to ignore, but not always severe enough to warrant surgery. Findings like these add to a growing body of evidence that ultrasound-guided PRP can be a reasonable, non-surgical option to support tendon healing in carefully selected patients — used alongside rehabilitation rather than as a replacement for it.

A few points are worth keeping in perspective. This was a single-center study of 63 patients, and it focused on one specific type of tear. PRP preparation methods, injection technique, and the underlying injury all vary from person to person, so results in any individual case can differ. PRP is also not appropriate for every shoulder problem, and the right plan depends on an accurate diagnosis.

Conclusion

For people with partial supraspinatus tears, this trial reinforces a sensible, evidence-informed approach: build a solid foundation with physical therapy, and consider adding ultrasound-guided PRP when the goal is to improve tendon healing and shoulder function. As always, the best next step is a thorough evaluation to confirm what is driving your pain and whether regenerative treatment is a good fit for you.