SUBACROMIAL INJECTIONS OF HYDROLYZED COLLAGEN FOR THE TREATMENT OF ROTATOR CUFF TENDINOPATHY

The efficacy of hydrolyzed collagen in pain reduction and functional recovery of patients with rotator cuff tendinopathy.

Introduction: Rotator cuff tendinopathy is one of the most common causes of shoulder pain and functional deficit. A low-molecular-weight collagen hydrolysate (LWCH) of bovine origin (CHondroGrid®, Bioteck SpA) for infiltrative use has recently been launched on the market for use in the treatment of pain symptoms and for the functional recovery of joints, muscle-tendon and ligamentous structures. 

Materials and methods: Seventy patients (63.6% male; mean age =53.3 ± 11.9 years) with rotator cuff tendinopathy with or without partial tendon injury were evaluated after 2 subacromial injections of LWCH performed 10 days apart. Shoulder pain and function were measured by Visual Analog Scale (VAS), Constant Score (CS) and Simple Shoulder Test (SST) at time 0, 15 days, 45 days and 6 months after the second injection. 

Results: Results at the last follow-up showed >75% reduction in VAS for pain on movement, at rest, and during the night period. CS and SST increased by 30% and 56%, respectively. No side effects other than temporary swelling at the injection site were noted from CHondroGrid® treatment.

Conclusions: These data show that LWCH treatment is effective and safe in reducing pain and improving function in patients with tendinopathy.

PRODUCTS USED: CHONDROGRID, CHG-004