The retrospective analysis of platelet-rich plasma and corticosteroid injection under epiduroscopic guidance for radiculopathy in operated or unoperated patients for lumbar disc herniation

OBJECTIVES: Epiduroscopy is a treatment method that can be applied to operated or non-operated patients with lumbar disc pathology. The aim of our study was to investigate and compare the efficacy of corticosteroid and platelet-rich plasma (PRP) therapy that we have injected in epidural and foraminal spaces under the guidance of epiduroscopy in the operated or unoperated patients with radicular pain. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The retrospective study was conducted with 62 patients (40 females, 22 males; mean age: 48±12.3 years; range, 20 to 75 years) between January 2014 and September 2020. Of the patients, 32 were unoperated, whereas 30 were operated. All the patients had radicular pain. All the patients were evaluated by the Visual Analog Scale (VAS) and the Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) at the start, on the 10(th) day, and at one and six months after the procedure by polyclinic control and by a phone call for their last follow-up. RESULTS: The VAS and ODI scores of patients treated with corticosteroid and PRP were decreased on the 10(th) day, at one and six months and the last follow-up, and this decrease was statistically significant. CONCLUSION: Both PRP and corticosteroid injections were effective in pain scores during short-term and long-term follow-ups owing to the contribution of epiduroscopic intervention by allowing local administration of PRP or corticosteroids and analgesic agents as well as its mechanical adhesiolysis effect.