Platelet-rich plasma versus corticosteroid injections for facet and sacroiliac joint pain: a systematic review and meta-analysis with trial sequential analysis.
Pain MedOct 1, 2026
Clinical ResearchPhysical Medicine & Rehabilitation
Dawood Alatefi, Malik Alkabazi, Ahmed Alanzi et al.
✦ AI-curated · Sources linked
In 30 seconds
This systematic review and meta-analysis evaluated the efficacy of platelet-rich plasma (PRP) versus corticosteroid injections for treating facet and sacroiliac joint pain in 392 patients. Results indicated that PRP significantly reduced pain at 3 months (MD -1.32) and 6 months (MD -1.70) compared to corticosteroids, suggesting a potential advantage for PRP in medium- and long-term pain management.
Key findings
- At 3 months, PRP significantly reduced pain compared to corticosteroids (MD -1.32).
- At 6 months, PRP continued to show superior pain reduction (MD -1.70).
- No significant difference in disability outcomes was observed at 1 month (SMD 0.05).
- Disability outcomes at 3 months approached significance (SMD -0.63, P = .0613).
Why it matters
Understanding the comparative effectiveness of PRP and corticosteroids is crucial for clinicians managing chronic low back pain, as it may influence treatment decisions and improve patient outcomes in spinal pain management.