Skip to main page content
U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Dot gov

The .gov means it’s official.
Federal government websites often end in .gov or .mil. Before sharing sensitive information, make sure you’re on a federal government site.

Https

The site is secure.
The https:// ensures that you are connecting to the official website and that any information you provide is encrypted and transmitted securely.

Access keys NCBI Homepage MyNCBI Homepage Main Content Main Navigation
Randomized Controlled Trial
. 2025 Mar 5;107(5):444-451.
doi: 10.2106/JBJS.24.00763. Epub 2025 Jan 13.

Efficacy of Platelet-Rich Plasma Versus Placebo for the Treatment of Greater Trochanteric Pain Syndrome: A Double-Blinded Randomized Controlled Trial

Ismael Atchia  1   2 , Mohammed Ali  3 , Eshan Oderuth  4 , Richard Holleyman  5 , Ajay Malviya  1   2   6
Affiliations
Randomized Controlled Trial

Efficacy of Platelet-Rich Plasma Versus Placebo for the Treatment of Greater Trochanteric Pain Syndrome: A Double-Blinded Randomized Controlled Trial

Ismael Atchia et al. J Bone Joint Surg Am. .

Abstract

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.

PubMed Disclaimer

Conflict of interest statement

Disclosure: Richard Holleyman received funding from Orthopaedic Research UK (Ref. 541). All LR-PRP kits used in the study were donated by NTL Biologica. The Disclosure of Potential Conflicts of Interest forms are provided with the online version of the article ( http://links.lww.com/JBJS/I359 ).

References

    1. Bird PA, Oakley SP, Shnier R, Kirkham BW. Prospective evaluation of magnetic resonance imaging and physical examination findings in patients with greater trochanteric pain syndrome. Arthritis Rheum. 2001 Sep;44(9):2138-45.
    1. Little H. Trochanteric bursitis: a common cause of pelvic girdle pain. Can Med Assoc J. 1979 Feb 17;120(4):456-8.
    1. Board TN, Hughes SJ, Freemont AJ. Trochanteric bursitis: the last great misnomer. Hip Int. 2014 Dec 5;24(6):610-5.
    1. Tortolani PJ, Carbone JJ, Quartararo LG. Greater trochanteric pain syndrome in patients referred to orthopedic spine specialists. Spine J. 2002 Jul-Aug;2(4):251-4.
    1. Grimaldi A, Mellor R, Nicolson P, Hodges P, Bennell K, Vicenzino B. Utility of clinical tests to diagnose MRI-confirmed gluteal tendinopathy in patients presenting with lateral hip pain. Br J Sports Med. 2017 Mar;51(6):519-24.

Publication types