Ultrasound-Guided Caudal Epidural Platelet-Rich Plasma versus Steroid Injections for Single-Level Lumbar Spinal Stenosis: A Prospective, Randomized Trial

Abstract

Abstract Caudal epidural steroid injections are a common intervention for managing radicular symptoms in patients with single-level lumbar spinal stenosis. Existing studies on the efficacy of various epidural injection routes often involve heterogeneous groups. In this randomized, double-blind, parallel-group clinical trial with a 1:1 allocation ratio, we investigated the effectiveness of caudal Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) versus Steroid Injection for Single-Level Lumbar Spinal Stenosis. This study included 60 patients (n = 30 for each group) requiring intervention for single-level lumbar spinal stenosis, conducted at the Pain Management Unit, University Medical Center at Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, from June 2021 to June 2023. The results demonstrated a significant improvement in pain and disability scores at 1 week, 1 month, and 6 months compared to baseline (p < 0.001). In conclusion, Caudal Epidural Injection (CEI) emerges as a safe and effective modality for managing Lumbar Spinal Stenosis (LSS), delivering excellent short-term outcomes. Notably, ultrasound-guided caudal epidural PRP and steroid injections for single-level lumbar spinal stenosis exhibit comparable effectiveness in terms of both pain relief and functional improvement.