Journal of Emergency Practice and Trauma

The impact of platelet-rich plasma in the shortterm management of chronic discogenic pain: A randomized controlled trial

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

Vahid Tavakolian-Ferdousie 1
Reza Goujani 2
Alireza Farsinejad 1
Hanif Vosoughi 3
Mohsen Shahba 4

1 Department of Neurosurgery, School of Medicine, Shahid Bahonar Hospital, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran

2 Department of Biostatistics and Epidemiology, Faculty of Public Health, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran

3 Department of Hematology and Blood Banking, School of Allied Medical Sciences, Stem Cells and Regenerative Medicine Innovation Center, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran

4 Department of Neurosurgery, School of Medicine, Rafsanjan University of Medical Sciences, Rafsanjan, Iran

https://doi.org/doi:10.34172/jept.2025.24
Abstract
Objective: Platelet-rich plasma (PRP), derived from the patient’s own blood and containing a high
density of bioactive compounds, is an emerging therapeutic option for the management of spinerelated disorders. This study aimed to evaluate the short-term efficacy of PRP therapy in managing
chronic discogenic low back pain compared with conventional treatment.
Methods: In the present randomized controlled trial, 32 participants were enrolled from the
Neurosurgery Ward at Shahid Bahonar Hospital in Kerman; all patients had a diagnosis of chronic
discogenic low back pain. The subjects were randomly assigned to a PRP treatment group (n=15)
and a control group (n=17). PRP was prepared using a standardized protocol and injected into the
affected disc under fluoroscopic guidance. Control group participants underwent conventional
treatment, specifically physical therapy and analgesics. Pain intensity (VAS), functional disability
(ODI), analgesic use, and adverse events were monitored at baseline and at 1, 4, and 12 weeks, and
at 6 months post-treatment.
Results: The PRP and control groups had mean ages of 47.5 (±9.2) and 49.8 (±8.8) years,
respectively (P=0.487). The PRP intervention resulted in significantly improved VAS scores as
early as 1 week post-treatment, with improvements persisting at weeks 4 and 12 and at month 6
(P<0.05). The PRP group showed greater reductions in ODI scores at both the 12-week and 6-month
follow-ups (P<0.05).
Conclusion: PRP therapy significantly alleviates pain and improves function in patients with low
back pain. This makes it a promising alternative to conventional treatment approaches

Keywords

Platelet-rich plasma
Blood platelets
Intervertebral disc degeneration
Discopathy
Chronic pain
Low back pain
Subjects
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Journal of Emergency Practice and Trauma
Volume 10, Issue 2
July 2024
Pages 149-155

  • Receive Date 28 September 2025
  • Revise Date 19 October 2025
  • Accept Date 25 October 2025

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