The Role of Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP) in the Treatment of Lumbar Spine Disease: A Narrative Review.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP) is a regenerative medicine technique utilized across various fields of medicine. Utilizing components of a patient's own blood, autologous applications of enriched biologic components including growth factors are thought to promote the healing process in various disease states. This modality has recently seen an expansion in various fields for novel applications. In pain medicine, this has seen similar growth for treatment of lumbar spine disease. Though this advancement is in its nascency, here we provide a narrative review to discuss the history and usage of PRP for the lumbar spine.

RECENT FINDINGS: PRP has been used in the spine for various purposes including adjuncts for surgical fusion and treatment for pain conditions such as facetogenic back pain, radiculopathy, and disc related pain conditions. Though evidence is sparse, PRP may be beneficial for use for treatment of disc related spine pain and radiculopathy. Results from PRP use for facet mediated pain is inconsistent while use with spinal fusion may inhibit osseous integration. PRP may have a role in treatment of spine related conditions particularly for disc related pain and radiculopathy though further studies are needed to validate existing findings.