I recently did a PRP injection for a young teenager with a pars injury (a portion of your lumbar spine that is under high stress with certain sporting activities). We tried rest and time, with minimal relief. Complaints included lower back pain, leg pain, and some numbness in the feet.

    Three months ago, I did a PRP injection it the L5 pars bilaterally. I asked him to rest for the next 2-3 weeks with a slow return to normal activity. The other day, I saw him in clinic, with over 40% improvement in lower back pain and minimal to no leg symptoms.

    Even though the literature is limited in PRP injection in the lumbar spine, there does seem to been positive outcomes.

    Over the last 6 months, I have been doing research to determine the benefits of PRP injections in the spine. Research shows there are positive benefits, reduction in pain, return to normal activity and delay/avoidance of surgery. Platelet rich plasma injections have become a treatment option for patients who are not surgical candidate or who want to avoid surgery.