This prospective, randomized, controlled trial compared the efficacy and safety of ultrasound-guided transforaminal injections of autologous platelet-rich plasma (PRP) versus steroids in 124 patients suffering from radicular pain due to lumbar disc herniation. Participants were randomized into two groups, with 61 receiving 3 mL of autologous PRP and 63 receiving a standard corticosteroid and anesthetic mixture, delivered via an ultrasound-guided out-of-plane transforaminal approach. Patients were evaluated over a 1-year period using the visual analogue scale (VAS), pressure pain thresholds (PPTs), Oswestry disability index (ODI), select domains of the SF-36 health survey, and electromyography to measure F-wave rate and latency.
The results demonstrated that both groups experienced statistically significant improvements in pain relief, physical functionality, and overall quality of life starting at 1-month post-injection, with these benefits successfully sustained through the 12-month follow-up. Furthermore, 1-year electromyogram testing revealed significant increases in F-wave rate and decreases in F-wave latency for both cohorts, indicating effective peripheral nerve repair. Ultimately, no statistically significant differences in clinical outcomes were found between the PRP and steroid groups at any point during the study, and zero complications were reported. The study concludes that transforaminal PRP injections offer an equally effective, long-term therapeutic alternative to standard steroid injections, presenting a promising and safer biological option for patients with contraindications to corticosteroids.
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8175124/pdf/NP2021-5558138.pdf
