EXPLORING THE FEASIBILITY OF PLATELET-RICH PLASMA INJECTIONS FOR INTERVERTEBRAL DISCOPATHY: A PILOT STUDY.

Area of Science:

• Regenerative Medicine
• Orthopedics
• Pain Management

Background:

• Low back pain is a prevalent condition often linked to degenerative intervertebral disc disease.
• Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) therapy is an emerging regenerative treatment option.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess the feasibility, safety, and potential benefits of injecting Platelet-Rich Plasma into lumbar intervertebral discs.
• To evaluate the efficacy of PRP injections on disability in patients with degenerative disc disease.

Main Methods:

• A longitudinal pilot study involving six participants with chronic low back pain and lumbar disc degeneration.
• Participants received a single intra-discal Platelet-Rich Plasma injection, followed by a one-year follow-up.
• Outcomes measured included disability scores, pain levels, kinesiophobia, lumbar range of motion, and MRI-assessed disc changes.

Main Results:

• No adverse events were reported during the study.
• At one year, 50% of patients demonstrated significant improvements in disability scores.
• Magnetic resonance imaging showed no significant changes in the intervertebral discs.

Conclusions:

• Platelet-Rich Plasma injections may offer promise for select patients with low back pain and degenerative disc disease.
• Study limitations include a small sample size and absence of a control group, necessitating further investigation.
• Additional research is required to establish optimal Platelet-Rich Plasma therapy protocols for this condition.