Lumbar Facet Platelet-Rich Plasma Injection Versus Medial Branch Radiofrequency Ablation for Chronic Lumbar Facet-Mediated Pain

A Randomized Controlled Trial Comparing Intra-Periarticular Lumbar Facet Platelet-Rich Plasma Injection Versus Medial Branch Radiofrequency Ablation for Chronic Lumbar Facet-Mediated Pain

The first clinical research effort under this initiative is a pilot randomized controlled trial comparing intra-periarticular lumbar facet platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injection to standard-of-care medial branch radiofrequency ablation (RFA) for chronic lumbar facet-mediated pain.

The study is designed to:

• Use contemporary best-practice techniques for both treatment arms
• Minimize incremental risk beyond standard care
• Generate feasibility, safety, and preliminary comparative effectiveness data
• Inform future definitive trials and potential program expansion

Inclusion Criteria:

• Adults with chronic lumbar back pain suspected to be facet-mediated
• ≥80% pain relief following two diagnostic medial branch blocks
• Ability to provide informed consent
• Ability to complete patient-reported outcome measures

Exclusion Criteria:

• Active radiculopathy or alternate dominant spinal pain generator
• Prior lumbar fusion at target level
• Active systemic infection or local infection at injection site
• Thrombocytopenia, less than 100,000/uL
• Anemia, Hemoglobin less than 10 g/dL
• Pregnancy
• Inability to complete follow-up assessments