Transforaminal injections of PRP provides better pain relief compared to steroid injections in discogenic lumbar radiculopathy

Written By : Dr Supreeth D R |Medically Reviewed By : Dr. Kamal Kant Kohli Published On 2023-07-23T20:00:34+05:30 | Updated On 24 July 2023 2:41 PM IST

Amit Saraf et al conducted a study to evaluate and compare the clinical efficacy of transforaminal steroid and platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injections in patients with discogenic lumbar radiculopathy. The study has been published in Indian Journal of Orthopaedics.

The study was conducted at Department of Orthopaedics , Teerthanker Mahaveer Medical College and Research Centre , Bagadpur , Moradabad , Uttar Pradesh, India.60 patients were randomized to be treated with single transforaminal injection of PRP (n = 29) or steroid (methylprednisolone acetate [ n = 31]). Clinical assessment was done with Visual analogue scale (VAS), modified Oswestry low back pain disability index (MODI), and straight leg raise test (SLRT). Baseline assessment of outcomes was done followed by post-intervention evaluation at 1, 3, and 6 months. Both groups had similar baseline characteristics.

Key findings of the study were:

• There was a significant statistical improvement of VAS and MODI in both groups at follow-up (P < 0.05).

• In PRP group, minimal clinically important change (> 2 cm difference of mean for VAS and > 10-point change in MODI) for both outcome scores was achieved at all follow-up intervals (1, 3, 6 months), while as in steroid group, it was seen only at 1 and 3 months for both VAS and MODI.

• On intergroup comparison, better results were seen in steroid group at 1 month (P < 0.001 for both VAS and MODI), and in PRP group at 6 months ( P < 0.001 for both VAS and MODI) with non-significant difference at 3 months ( P = 0.605 for MODI and P = 0.612 for VAS).

• More than 90% tested SLRT negative in PRP group and 62% in steroid group at 6 months.

• No serious complications were seen.

The authors concluded that – “Transforaminal injections of PRP and steroid improve short-term (up to 3 months) clinical outcome scores in discogenic lumbar radiculopathy, but clinically meaningful improvements sustaining for 6 months were provided by PRP only.”

MBBS, Dip. Ortho, DNB ortho, MNAMS

Dr Supreeth D R (MBBS, Dip. Ortho, DNB ortho, MNAMS) is a practicing orthopedician with interest in medical research and publishing articles. He completed MBBS from mysore medical college, dip ortho from Trivandrum medical college and sec. DNB from Manipal Hospital, Bengaluru. He has expirence of 7years in the field of orthopedics. He has presented scientific papers & posters in various state, national and international conferences. His interest in writing articles lead the way to join medical dialogues. He can be contacted at editorial@medicaldialogues.in.

Dr. Kamal Kant Kohli

Dr Kamal Kant Kohli-MBBS, DTCD- a chest specialist with more than 30 years of practice and a flair for writing clinical articles, Dr Kamal Kant Kohli joined Medical Dialogues as a Chief Editor of Medical News. Besides writing articles, as an editor, he proofreads and verifies all the medical content published on Medical Dialogues including those coming from journals, studies,medical conferences,guidelines etc. Email: drkohli@medicaldialogues.in. Contact no. 011-43720751