Trial for Treating Painful Degenerative Disc Disease

Approx 161-420cc autologous blood is drawn and processed into PPP, PRP, and PL, amount dependent on condition. Using sterile technique with patient sedated, US or x-ray is used to guide needles bilaterally into multifidus, specifically LM, TF, IAF. Once the lamina is reached the physician injects 2.5 cc of PPP into the multifidus muscle on one side and then repeat this on the opposite side for each level. The physician guides a needle into the supraneural transforaminal space to perform an epidural injection with 2cc of 4x PL and 1 cc of 0.5% ropivacaine. Next, a needle will then be guided into the facet joint to perform an intra-articular injection with 1cc of 14x PRP. Any tendon insertion areas will be injected using ultrasound guidance with platelet lysate dextrose. The supraspinous/interspinous, SI ligaments at the involved degenerative levels will be injected with 4x PL/12.5% dextrose/0.125% ropivacaine. If L5/S1 is involved, the iliolumbar ligaments will also be injected.

Approximately 161-420 cc of autologous blood is drawn to maintain patient blinding. While lying prone, the patient's back will be exposed and prepped sterilely. Provider puts patient in conscious sedation and several needles are placed into the low back. The provider inserts needle into the facet joint and then removes. Then inserts the needle midline to ligament and removes (1 needle per level) mimicking normal needle placement, but not injecting anything.