AAPM: Platelet-rich plasma offers short-term benefit

(HealthDay)—For patients with facet joint arthropathy, platelet-rich plasma (PRP) has a short-term positive impact, according to a study presented at the annual meeting of the American Academy of Pain Medicine, held from March 19 to 22 in National Harbor, Md.

Marco Palmieri, D.O., from the Center for Pain Management at Stony Brook in New York, and colleagues examined the effectiveness of PRP to treat facet joint arthropathy. Pain and functional outcome were assessed at baseline and postoperatively for up to one year for 24 PRP patients.

The researchers found that compared with baseline there were decreases in numerical rating pain scale scores in months one and three (P ≤ 0.01), and a return to baseline in months six and 12. In the first month there were decreases in Oswestry Disability Index and Roland Morris Disability Questionnaire scores (both P < 0.01), but they returned to baseline thereafter. In the first month, pain interference (PROMIS) scores showed lower anger, anxiety, pain interference, and pain behavior scores (all P ≤ 0.03), while physical function and satisfaction with social roles were higher in the first and third months (P ≤ 0.03).

"It was our hope, based on other indications, that we might actually heal a joint," Palmieri said in a statement. "Unfortunately we haven't seen that in our results."

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