Comparing the Efficacy of Steroid, Acupuncture and Platelet Rich Plasma Injection in Patients With Sciatica

This study compares three treatments for sciatica — the shooting pain that travels down the leg from a compressed or irritated nerve in the lower back: steroid injections (a common anti-inflammatory treatment), acupuncture (a traditional needle-based therapy), and platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injections (a treatment using concentrated growth factors from the patient's own blood). All three are used in clinical practice, but there are limited head-to-head comparisons. Participants aged 20–80 with sciatica from lumbar spine conditions (disc herniation, stenosis, or spondylolisthesis) can join. They will be assigned to one of the three treatments and evaluated for pain relief and function over time. You may be eligible if: - You are between 20 and 80 years old - You have sciatica with symptoms along the L3–S1 nerve distribution - A positive straight leg raising test OR imaging showing disc herniation, stenosis, or spondylolisthesis You may NOT be eligible if: - You have severe progressive neurological symptoms (e.g., cauda equina syndrome) - You had lumbar surgery within the past 6 months - You have significant cardiovascular, liver, kidney, or blood disease, or cancer - You are pregnant - You have a pacemaker, metal allergy, or severe needle phobia Talk to your doctor to see if this trial is right for you.