Regenerative Pain Therapy Using Platelet-Rich Plasma Compared with Steroid Injection for Spinal Disc Herniation: A Meta-Analysis

Alfan Rizki Nur Rohman (Anesthesiology Resident, General Hospital Saiful Anwar, Malang, East Java)
Taufiq Agus Siswagama (Anesthesiology Department, General Hospital Saiful Anwar, Malang, East Java)
Probo Yudha Pratama Putra (Emergency Department Galeri Chandra Mother and Child Hospital, Malang, East Java)

Solo Journal of Anesthesi, Pain and Critical Care
Vol 5, No 2 (2025): October 2025

Background: Radicular pain resulting from spinal conditions remains one of the most challenging problems for clinicians. This meta-analysis aimed to compare the interventional pain outcomes of platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injection versus steroid injection in patients with disc herniation.Methods: A systematic review was conducted following PRISMA guidelines using PubMed, Science Direct, Cochrane Library, and RevMan 5.3. Three RCTs were analyzed.Results: A total of 204 patients were included (PRP n = 101; control n = 103). There was no significant difference between the PRP and steroid for VAS (Visual Analog Scale), ODI (Oswestry Disability Index), and SF-36 scores at 3 and 6 months.Conclusion: PRP provides similar pain reduction compared with steroid injection, with the additional advantage of potential regenerative effects. Further studies are warranted to evaluate structural regeneration