Platelet-Rich Plasma Epidurals: Queens’ Natural Alternative to Traditional Steroid Injections

Revolutionizing Pain Relief: How Platelet-Rich Plasma Epidurals Are Transforming Spine Care in Queens

Chronic back pain and sciatica affect millions of Americans, with traditional steroid injections often providing only temporary relief. However, a groundbreaking alternative is emerging in the field of pain management: platelet-rich plasma (PRP) epidural injections. This innovative treatment harnesses your body’s natural healing power to provide longer-lasting pain relief without the potential side effects associated with repeated steroid use.

Understanding Platelet-Rich Plasma Epidural Injections

Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) is made from blood through centrifugation, creating a concentrated solution of healing factors from your own body. PRP is solution of concentrated platelets made by spinning the patient’s own blood within a centrifuge. Platelets are packed with growth factors that mobilize the immune system to start healing. They are also packed with anti-inflammatory proteins that can calm down inflamed nerves, spinal discs and joints.

For epidural applications, a specific formulation of PRP is used, it is called Platelet Lysate. Platelet lysate (PL) is made by lysing (breaking up) the platelets to release their anti-inflammatory proteins and healing growth factors. This process also removes any cellular debris from the solution, thus making it safe to inject into the epidural space.

The Science Behind PRP’s Effectiveness

Recent clinical research has demonstrated impressive results for PRP epidural injections. Patients treated by PRP injections showed statistically and clinically significant reduction in LegVAS at 6, 12, and 24 weeks, and in ODI at 24 weeks. Noncommercial epidural double-spin PRP yielded superior results to triamcinolone. Most importantly, No adverse event occurred in either group.

Platelet-rich plasma CT-guided epidural injections are similar to steroid for the treatment of lumbar radicular pain at 6 weeks post-procedure and could be a safer option. Clinical trials of Platelet Lysate epidural injections have shown them to be safe and effective in providing long term results, without the side effects of steroids.

Why Choose PRP Over Traditional Steroid Injections?

Traditional epidural steroid injections, while effective, come with significant limitations. Unfortunately, the effectiveness of steroid injections can be limited, short lived and often wears off with repeated procedures. Steroids can also cause many unwanted side effects such as hormonal changes, increased blood sugar (diabetes), bone and muscle loss and increased blood pressure.

In contrast, PRP epidural injections offer several advantages:

The Treatment Process

The PRP treatment process for a herniated disc is relatively simple. The doctor will take one to a few tubes of the patient’s blood. After the doctor draws the patient’s blood, this will be put in a centrifuge machine that separates the plasma, also called activated platelets, from other blood components. It usually takes about 30 minutes for the whole process to complete, and the patient feels minimal pain except for the prick of the needles.

In an epidural PRP injection, the plasma is injected into the epidural space, which is the space outside of the fluid sac surrounding the spinal cord. The procedure is performed under precise imaging guidance to ensure accurate placement and optimal results.

Expert Care at NY Spine Medicine

For residents of Queens seeking this innovative treatment, NY Spine Medicine represents the gold standard in pain management care. The core belief of our practice is that surgery should be a last resort for treatment of your pain. We exhaust all possible medical options to help our patients recover from their pain as safely and as painlessly as possible. Our holistic approach encompasses minimally invasive procedures to relieve pain, promote healing, and prevent future injury. At NY Spine Medicine, we are dedicated to the treatment of pain and spine conditions and utilize the most advanced technology and treatment options available in a brand new, state-of-the-art facility.

Located at 18 East 48th Street, Suite 901, New York, NY 10017, NY Spine Medicine serves patients throughout the New York City area. With multiple locations across New York City, including Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, the Bronx, and Staten Island, NY Spine Medicine makes it easy to access expert pain management care close to home.

The practice’s commitment to personalized care is evident in their approach. At NY Spine Medicine, we believe in personalized care. We take the time to listen to your concerns, understand your goals, and develop a customized treatment plan that addresses your specific needs. Our multidisciplinary approach combines the expertise of pain management specialists, physical therapists, and other healthcare professionals to provide you with comprehensive care every step of the way.

Who Can Benefit from PRP Epidural Injections?

PRP epidural injections are particularly effective for patients with:

Few studies exist evaluating effectiveness and safety of epidural PRP for discogenic low back pain without radiculopathy and the follow-up of the studies tends to be short, but emerging research continues to support its efficacy across various spinal conditions.

The Future of Pain Management

As we move toward more personalized and biologically-based treatments, PRP epidural injections represent a significant advancement in pain management. One study looked at a series of patients treated for disc herniations, a common cause of low back and leg pain. They stated that “Lumbar injection of platelet-rich plasma along with epidural injection of platelet lysate is a novel therapeutic option that can initiate or expedite the resorption of herniated lumbar disc material, which can facilitate the decompression of the affected spinal structures.”

For Queens residents suffering from chronic back pain or sciatica, Epidural Injections Queens at NY Spine Medicine offers hope for lasting relief through this innovative PRP approach. From epidural steroid injections to nerve blocks and radiofrequency ablation, our interventional procedures are performed with precision and expertise to target the source of your pain and promote healing. Whether you’re dealing with sciatica, arthritis, or another painful condition, our team has the experience and resources to help you find relief and regain control of your life.

Don’t let chronic pain control your life any longer. Contact NY Spine Medicine today to learn more about how platelet-rich plasma epidural injections could provide the natural, long-lasting relief you’ve been seeking. With their commitment to avoiding surgery whenever possible and their expertise in cutting-edge regenerative treatments, they’re helping patients throughout Queens discover a new path to pain-free living.