Low back pain is one of the leading causes of physical impairment in both older and younger people, it can have significant financial and health consequences. Age-related intervertebral disc degeneration, which affects the nerve system surrounding the disc, is one of the leading causes of low back pain. Pain is caused by the stimulation of nociceptors in the annulus fibrosus, which is referred to as "discogenic" pain. Degeneration, endplate damage, and inflammation, for example, can trigger pain receptors inside the disc while keeping the exterior disc intact. Intervertebral disc degeneration is a dynamic process that involves changes in tissue and the cellular milieu, eventually leading to structural breakdown and impairment of intervertebral disc function.
Autologous blood having platelet concentrations above the physiological baseline is referred to as PRP. It is acquired using a centrifugation procedure that separates the blood's liquid and solid components. PRP injections have attracted substantial interest as a therapy approach for musculoskeletal disorders in recent years due to their safety and promising nature of accelerating soft tissue recovery. Percutaneous PRP injections promote tissue regeneration in musculoskeletal disorders. PRP has been used successfully to treat rotator cuff tears, knee osteoarthritis, ulnar collateral ligament tears, lateral epicondylitis, hamstring injuries, and Achilles tendinopathy.
Because platelet-rich plasma is derived from the patient's own blood, the therapy does not include any extra drugs that may interfere with hormones or other bodily systems.
The PRP technique takes around 30 minutes and begins with the extracting part of the patient's blood before isolating platelets carrying healing proteins using a centrifuge. The innovative technology at Yashoda Hospitals allows physicians to tailor therapy to each patient's specific needs, altering blood volume, cell content, and platelet concentration as needed. Platelets are then injected into the afflicted spine region.
"PRP stimulates anti-inflammatory and growth factors, which may aid in reducing inflammation inside joints and perhaps healing or regenerate tissue," Dr. Ravi Suman said.
He points out that PRP is sometimes mistaken for stem cell therapy, although the two therapies are not the same. Stem cell treatment is not currently suggested since there is little evidence that it helps, according to him. Dr. Ravi Suman says that there aren't many drawbacks to PRP.
Every therapy has some risk, although the dangers are rather low, as shown with other injections.
According to Dr. Ravi Suman, many other medical facilities do not provide the treatment, particularly for people suffering from back discomfort. Patients suffering from back discomfort might benefit from interdisciplinary assessments at Yashoda Hospitals. This is critical since many individuals suffering from back pain are misdiagnosed.
We want to be sure we're focusing on the right cause of discomfort, he says. SI joint discomfort is a common source of back pain that is sometimes misdiagnosed as something else, such as a pinched nerve or sciatic nerve pain. We primarily use PRP for these patients, as well as those who have undergone prior back surgery or spinal fusion.
PRP therapy can provide pain relief for six months to a year, and potentially longer. According to Dr. Ravi Suman, he has observed several patients who have found pain alleviation for more than two years.
Patients frequently get short-term relief with steroid injections in the SI joint or other joints in the spine, but they don't get long-term pain reduction, he adds. Many people are seeking a therapy that would provide long-term pain alleviation as well as better function in everyday activities.
PRP treatment is effective for people of all ages. According to Dr. Ravi Suman, patients must forgo anticoagulant medication, including aspirin, for a brief period before and after treatment. Patients with active cancer, infections, or blood disorders are unlikely to be suitable candidates for PRP, he says.
PRP is a safe, effective, and practical therapeutic technique that is emerging as a potent therapy for the treatment of discogenic back pain. Given the impressive progress that has already been accomplished, as well as various potential elements that need to be investigated further, PRP therapy clearly provides new and exciting opportunities for the treatment of degenerative disc disease and other musculoskeletal illnesses.
Frameless Stereotactic Radiosurgery
Laser Disc Decompression
Radiofrequency Ablation for Trigeminal Neuralgia
Radiofrequency Ablation for Back Pain & Neck Pain
Minimal Invasive Spine Surgery
Spine Stabilization
Cranial Micro Neurosurgery
Cranio Spinal Trauma
Endoscopic Neurosurgery
PRP (Platelet-Rich Plasma) therapy is a treatment that uses your own blood to promote healing in the spine. A small sample of blood is taken, processed to concentrate the platelets and then injected into the affected area, such as degenerated discs or joints. These platelets release growth factors that help reduce inflammation and support tissue repair. It’s a minimally invasive option, especially useful for disc-related lower back pain.
The procedure begins by drawing a small amount of your blood, which is then spun in a centrifuge to separate the platelet-rich plasma. This concentrated plasma is injected into the spine using imaging guidance. The platelets help trigger natural healing by reducing inflammation and promoting tissue repair in areas like spinal discs or sacroiliac (SI) joints. The entire procedure usually takes about 30 minutes and is done on an outpatient basis.
PRP therapy is especially helpful for patients with disc degeneration, SI joint pain or persistent back pain after surgery. It can also benefit those with symptoms similar to sciatica when the exact cause is different. However, it may not be suitable for individuals with certain conditions like infections, cancer or blood disorders or those on specific medications such as anticoagulants.
Unlike steroid injections, which mainly provide temporary relief, PRP focuses on healing the underlying problem. It can offer longer-lasting results often ranging from several months to a couple of years. Since it uses your own blood, it avoids the potential side effects of steroids and supports natural recovery instead of just masking pain.
PRP is usually recommended for chronic back pain caused by disc issues, inflammation or early degenerative changes that haven’t improved with other treatments. It is most effective when the exact cause of pain is clearly identified through proper diagnosis.
Many patients experience pain relief for 6 to 12 months and in some cases, the benefits can last even longer. The improvement is gradual, as the body heals over time. Repeat sessions may be recommended if needed.
PRP therapy targets the root cause of pain by promoting tissue regeneration within the disc. It works naturally with your body, without introducing foreign substances. This makes it a safe and effective option for managing degenerative disc disease and improving long-term spine health.
During the procedure, a small amount of blood is drawn and processed to concentrate the platelets. This PRP is then carefully injected into the affected area of the spine using imaging guidance for precision. The procedure does not require general anesthesia and most patients can return to their routine activities shortly after.
Dr. Ravi Suman Reddy is a neurosurgeon and spine specialist who offers PRP therapy as part of a comprehensive, patient-centered approach to back pain treatment. He focuses on accurate diagnosis and uses advanced, minimally invasive techniques to provide long-term relief and improve spinal health.
