Riassunto dello studio

30 patients with lumbar disc herniations unresponsive to conservative treatment were randomized to receive an epidural injection of platelet-rich plasma (PRP; n=15) or triamcinolone (n=15). The primary outcome of interest was leg pain on a Visual Analog Scale (VAS). Additional outcomes of interest included back pain on a VAS, the Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) for function, the rate of adverse events, and treatment failure. Outcomes were assessed up to 24 weeks post-treatment. PRP injection led to significantly less leg pain at 6, 12 and 24 weeks follow-up compared to triamcinolone. No differences in back pain VAS scores or ODI scores were observed. The rate of treatment failure was not statistically different between groups; however, the 2 reported cases of treatment failure reported were both in the triamcinolone group. No adverse events were reported. The results suggest that PRP may be a viable alternative to steroids for lumbar disc herniation patients unresponsive to conservative treatment. Future studies with more patients and longer follow-up are required to confirm the results of this study.