To assess changes in pain and function in patients with discogenic low back pain after a standard of care intradiscal injection of Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP).
Who can participate
Age range
18 Years
Sex
ALL
See this in plain English?
AI-rewrites the medical criteria so a patient or caregiver can understand them. Always confirm with the trial site.
Inclusion criteria
. Age greater than 18 years of age at day of enrollment.
. Clinical diagnosis of refractory discogenic low back pain for \>3 months.
. Magnetic resonance imaging pathology consistent with clinical symptoms/signs or positive lumbar provocative discography according to SIS/IASP standards at one or two levels.
. Back pain greater than leg pain with an intensity of at least 4/10 or higher using the Numerical Rating Scale (NRS).
. Pain duration of more than 12 weeks despite trial of conservative therapy (medications, physical therapy, or chiropractic care) for 2 months.
Exclusion criteria
Questions worth asking your doctor
Bring these to your next appointment. They're a starting point for a shared conversation — not a sign you qualify or a recommendation to enrol.
1Based on my diagnosis and history, is this trial worth exploring for me — or is there a standard treatment we should try first?
2What does this trial's phase tell us about how much is already known about its safety and benefit?
3What would taking part actually involve for me — visits, tests, time, and travel?
4What are the known and possible risks or side effects I should weigh, and how would they be monitored?
5If this trial isn't the right fit, what other options or trials would you suggest I look into?
Generated to help you prepare — always confirm anything about your own eligibility and care with the study team and your doctor.
Questions for the trial coordinator
The trial coordinator is the person who runs the study day to day. These cover the practical side — logistics, costs, and what taking part would actually mean for your life. The study team confirms whether you meet the criteria; these are questions to ask, not a sign you qualify.
1What does taking part actually involve week to week — how many visits, where, and how long does each one take?
2What costs are covered by the study, and what might I have to pay for myself, including travel, parking, or time off work?
3What happens during screening, and what happens if the study team confirms I don't meet the criteria after those tests?
4Who pays for the scans, blood work, and other tests the trial requires — the study, my insurance, or me?
5How will being in the trial affect my regular care, and will my own doctor stay informed and involved?
6Can I leave the trial at any point if I change my mind, and what would happen to my care if I do?
A starting point for the conversation — always confirm anything about your own eligibility, costs, and care with the study team and your doctor.
What they're measuring
1
Numeric Rating Scale for Low Back Pain at 2-Month Follow-up
. Refusal to participate, provide consent, or provide follow-up information for the 24-month duration of the study.
. Contraindications to intradiscal injection of PRP (active infection, bleeding disorders, current anticoagulant or antiplatelet medication use, allergy to iodinated contrast, penicillin or clindamycin and pregnancy or breastfeeding).
. More than 2 levels of clinical or discogram proven pain.
. Non-discogenic source of low back pain as identified by separate diagnostic blocks.