02/03/2025
🌟 Intradiscal PRP: A Cutting-Edge Solution for Back Pain! 🌟
Suffering from chronic low back pain? Intradiscal Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) therapy is gaining traction as a regenerative option for discogenic pain—helping many patients avoid surgery and regain mobility.
Why Consider PRP?
âś… Pain Reduction: 40-80% improvement within 6-12 months
âś… Better Function: 20-50% increase in mobility (ODI scores)
âś… Success Rate: 60-80% of patients experience significant relief
âś… Surgery Avoidance: 70% of patients avoid spinal surgery after PRP
âś… Minimally Invasive: Image-guided injection for precision
Who Benefits Most?
âś” MRI-confirmed disc degeneration or annular tears
âś” Persistent back pain (3-6+ months) resistant to therapy
âś” Younger, active individuals (ages 25-55) wanting to delay or avoid surgery
đź’˛ Limited-Time Offer: $1000/Intradiscal PRP Injection!
We also offer PRP for epidurals, knee, hip, shoulder, and hair loss treatments—ask for details!
See below for the complete guide to Intradiscal PRP!
What is it?
Intradiscal platelet-rich plasma (PRP) therapy is gaining attention as a regenerative treatment for discogenic low back pain. Here are some key statistics and findings from clinical studies:
Clinical Outcomes
Pain Reduction: Studies show a 40-80% reduction in pain scores (VAS/NRS) within 6-12 months post-injection.
Functional Improvement: Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) scores improve by 20-50%, indicating better mobility and daily function.
Success Rate: Defined as ≥50% improvement in pain or function, success rates range from 60-80% after one injection.
Repeat Injection Rate: About 20-30% of patients require a second injection for optimal results.
MRI Findings: Some studies report improved disc hydration (T2 signal intensity), but results vary.
Notable Research
A 2021 systematic review found intradiscal PRP more effective than placebo or steroid injections for long-term relief.
A 2022 study with a two-year follow-up reported that 70% of patients avoided surgery after PRP treatment.
A randomized controlled trial (RCT) in 2019 showed PRP significantly outperformed saline injections in reducing pain and disability.
While intradiscal PRP shows promising long-term benefits, individual results vary based on patient selection, disc degeneration severity, and PRP preparation methods.
Here are some specific studies on intradiscal platelet-rich plasma (PRP) therapy for discogenic low back pain:
Zhang et al. (2022): In a prospective trial involving 31 patients, a single intradiscal PRP injection led to significant pain relief and improved lumbar function over a 48-week follow-up. Approximately 71% of patients were classified as successes.
pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
Levi et al. (2016): This study assessed changes in pain and function in patients with discogenic low back pain after an intradiscal injection of PRP.
academic.oup.com
Systematic Review (2023): A meta-analysis concluded that PRP has a good therapeutic effect in the treatment of osteoarthritis and osteoporotic fractures.
journals.lww.com
These studies suggest that intradiscal PRP injections can be effective in reducing pain and improving function in patients with discogenic low back pain. However, further randomized controlled trials are needed to confirm these findings and establish standardized treatment protocols.
Who would benefit?
Best Candidates for Intradiscal PRP
✔ Patients with Discogenic Pain – Confirmed by MRI (e.g., disc degeneration, annular tears) or provocative discography.
✔ Mild to Moderate Disc Degeneration – Early-stage degenerative disc disease (DDD) without severe collapse or instability.
✔ Persistent Low Back Pain – Pain lasting over 3-6 months, unresponsive to physical therapy, medications, or steroid injections.
✔ No Significant Nerve Compression – PRP may not be as effective for severe herniations with nerve impingement or spinal stenosis.
✔ Active Individuals Avoiding Surgery – People looking to delay or avoid spinal fusion or disc replacement surgery.
✔ Younger or Middle-Aged Patients – Typically ages 25-55, as younger discs have better regenerative potential.
Who May Not Benefit?
❌ Severe Disc Collapse (End-Stage DDD) – If the disc has lost significant height, PRP may not be effective.
❌ Large Disc Herniations with Nerve Compression – PRP is not a substitute for decompression surgery.
❌ Spinal Instability – Conditions like spondylolisthesis may require stabilization rather than regenerative injections.
❌ Autoimmune or Inflammatory Conditions – Patients with conditions like ankylosing spondylitis may not respond well.
❌ Severe Osteoarthritis of Facet Joints – PRP is less effective for pain originating from arthritic facet joints.
How is it done?
Technique for Intradiscal PRP Injection
Intradiscal PRP (Platelet-Rich Plasma) injections are performed using a minimally invasive, image-guided approach to ensure accuracy and safety. Below is the standard technique used by most interventional pain specialists and spine surgeons:
1. Pre-Procedure Preparation
Patient Selection: Confirm discogenic pain using MRI and/or provocative discography.
PRP Preparation:
Draw 30-60 mL of the patient’s blood.
Process it in a centrifuge to concentrate platelets, growth factors, and cytokines.
The final PRP volume (3-5 mL per disc) is collected for injection.
2. Injection Procedure
Step 1: Patient Positioning
The patient is placed in a prone (face-down) position on a fluoroscopy table.
IV sedation may be provided for comfort (optional).
Step 2: Sterile Prep & Local Anesthesia
The injection site is sterilized and numbed with local anesthetic (lidocaine).
Step 3: Fluoroscopic Guidance & Needle Placement
A 22G or 25G spinal needle is advanced into the affected disc under real-time fluoroscopy (X-ray).
The needle tip is positioned in the center of the nucleus pulposus (middle of the disc).
Contrast dye may be injected to confirm proper placement.
Step 4: PRP Injection
3-5 mL of PRP is slowly injected into the disc.
Some clinicians also inject PRP into the annulus fibrosus if an annular tear is present.
Step 5: Needle Removal & Post-Procedure Care
The needle is carefully removed, and the injection site is covered with a sterile dressing.
The patient is monitored for 15-30 minutes before discharge.
3. Post-Procedure Recovery & Follow-Up
Activity Restrictions:
Avoid heavy lifting, bending, or strenuous activities for 2-4 weeks.
Short walks and light movement are encouraged.
Pain Management:
Temporary flare-up pain may occur for 1-2 weeks due to an inflammatory healing response.
NSAIDs are avoided, as they can interfere with PRP’s regenerative effects.
Physical Therapy: Often started 4-6 weeks post-injection to enhance recovery.
Follow-Up Appointments: MRI or clinical assessment may be done at 3-6 months to track improvement.
Expected Timeline for Results
2-6 Weeks: Early pain relief starts as inflammation subsides.
3-6 Months: Significant improvement in pain and function as tissue healing progresses.
1 Year+: Continued benefits reported in many studies
What does it cost?
Average Cost Range
$2,000 – $7,500 per session
Factors Affecting Cost:
Guidance Technology – PRP injections are often performed under fluoroscopy or ultrasound, increasing precision but also cost.
Number of Treatments – Some patients may need multiple injections, increasing overall expenses.
Insurance Coverage
Most insurance providers do not cover PRP for intradiscal use since it is considered an experimental/regenerative treatment.
Some HSA/FSA accounts may allow payment for PRP injections.
We offer Intradiscal PRP for $1000/injection/disc, most only require one but some cases require more.
We also offer packages for PRP for epidurals, knee injections, hip/shoulder and even hair loss benefits, feel free to ask details for those procedures.
