Efficacy of Oral Hyaluronic Acid and Collagen Supplementation Compared With Hyaluronic Acid Infiltration Treatment in Rotator Cuff Tendinopathies: A Prospective Study

What this Trial Is About

Researchers are investigating the effectiveness of an oral supplement containing Collagen, Hyaluronic Acid, Vitamin C, and Manganese compared to intra-articular hyaluronic acid injections for adults with shoulder rotator cuff tendinopathy. This condition causes shoulder pain and functional impairment, often due to degenerative changes in tendon structure. The study aims to see if the oral supplement can reduce pain and improve shoulder function as well as the injected treatment. The study includes 50 adults with persistent shoulder pain and imaging evidence of rotator cuff tendinopathy. All participants receive one corticosteroid injection (triamcinolone acetonide 40 mg). They are then randomly assigned to either take one vial per day of the oral supplement for 56 days or receive three weekly intra-articular injections of hyaluronic acid. The oral supplement group starts the treatment the day after enrollment, while the injection group receives treatments without ultrasound guidance. Participants will be assessed at four time points: before corticosteroid injection (baseline), seven days after starting oral supplementation or before the first hyaluronic acid injection, mid-cycle of oral treatment or seven days after the last injection, and at the end of the 56-day oral cycle or 28 days after the last injection. Pain is measured using the Numeric Rating Scale (NRS) for pain at rest, during movement, and at night. Shoulder function is evaluated with the Shoulder Disability Questionnaire (SDQ). Safety and side effects will be recorded throughout the study.

Oral Supplementation Compared With Hyaluronic Acid Infiltration in Rotator Cuff Tendinopathies