Document Type
Clinical Case Reports
Date of Poster
2020
Date of Submission
May 2020
Abstract
Case Description
A 47-year-old active male presented with 2.5 years of right hip pain suggestive of labral pathology. Ice, heat, celecoxib, ibuprofen, diclofenac gel, and physical therapy provided minimal relief. A diagnostic intra-articular bupivacaine injection resolved the pain. A subsequent MR arthrogram revealed a non-displaced tear of the right anterior superior acetabular labrum.
In pursuit of conservative treatment, the patient agreed to a series of 3 right hip intra-articular PRP (platelet rich plasma) injections. When he presented for the second injection, he reported his pain had decreased by 20% and he was tolerating light running. Due to improvement in symptoms, an MR arthrogram was ordered to evaluate for structural change.
The repeat MR arthrogram showed slightly increased displacement of the labral tear.
Conclusion and Discussion
There is evidence that PRP can improve pain and function in patients with hip labral tears1. Structural change through PRP injection for hip labral tears has not been previously evaluated. In this case, PRP appeared to decrease the patient’s pain and improve function, but subsequent imaging showed worsening of the labral injury. Functional improvement did not correlate with structural improvement. This may be due to a variety of factors, such as increased activity following PRP procedures, or improved anti-inflammatory and cytokine involvement in the hip joint following PRP leading to pain relief rather than tissue regeneration.
PRP appears to be a safe and conservative option for decreasing pain and improving function in hip labral tears. However, more studies are needed to delineate the etiology of pain relief following PRP, as MRI imaging revealed apparent worsening of labral injury despite patient’s improvement in pain. Future large studies should include follow-up imaging to assess for correlation of functional change and structural change.
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VCU School of Medicine GME Resident and Fellow Research Day Posters