Watch Live PRP Procedure Treating Lumbar Spinal Stenosis
In under 6 minutes, you can watch Dr. Lieber perform a live Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP) procedure treating lumbar spinal stenosis. Unedited, the full Regenexx procedure is about 35 minutes. Jim, the 64 year-old patient and owner of an HVAC business, is awake and converses with Dr. Lieber throughout.
Tap the image below to watch patient Jim’s PRP procedure with Regenexx [1].
Lumbar Spinal Stenosis
Jim came to Regenexx with debilitating back pain and leg cramping. Upon evaluation, our doctors determined Jim was suffering from lumbar spinal stenosis (LSS), or the narrowing of the spinal canal. Spinal stenosis puts pressure on the spinal cord and the nerves within the lower back, often causing pain to radiate down the legs through connected nerves. It can become so severe that patients with LSS have difficulty standing or walking. This condition is very common (affecting about 200,000 people in the U.S. each year) and is often caused by age-related wear and tear [2].
Treatment Options
Regenexx Physicians often see patients who have had steroid injections as a quick solution to conditions like this, due to their ability to quickly relieve pain and inflammation. However, these do not usually serve as a long-term solution, as steroid injections can weaken bones and connective tissue, limiting the frequency in which they can be administered. They also often negatively affect hormones in the body [2]. Surgery is usually considered as a last resort after other treatment methods prove to be ineffective, as it is high risk with longer recovery timelines and is not guaranteed to be a permanent solution.
The good news is, Regenexx DOES offer a long-term solution to your pain with minimal downtime and discomfort. Platelet rich plasma (PRP) and Platelet Lysate are Platelet procedures that contain healing growth factors from a patient’s own blood that are extracted and relocated to target pain points. Platelet injections have a stimulating effect due to the growth factor which they contain attracting stem cells within the targeted area, making those cells work harder to perform their natural job of healing the body.
Jim’s Treatment Step by Step
This is exactly how Dr. Lieber went about treating our patient, Jim. Below is an outline of each step of his platelet rich plasma (PRP) procedure:
- Dr. Lieber applies a topical numbing solution to Jim’s back.
- Using precise fluoroscopic (x-ray) image guidance, the doctor guides the needle to the exact place in Jim’s spinal canal in which the platelet lysate will be placed.
- The doctor inserts contrast to outline the canal for better visibility of the needle.
- A large volume is administered to bathe the spinal canal, followed by Jim’s own blood platelet lysate.
- The steps above are repeated to target two smaller spinal nerves with the lysate.
Jim was awake for the entire procedure conversing with Dr. Lieber, noting that he could feel the sensation of the injections but experienced minimal discomfort. Following this treatment, Jim will likely feel a bit of stiffness in his back for a few days, followed by quick relief. Within a few weeks he will be starting to really feel the healing effects of the platelets.
Could a Procedure Like This Give You the Relief You Need?
There are many options Jim could have chosen to treat his back pain, but he believes he made the right decision choosing Regenexx. We’d love to help you determine if a procedure with us could be right for you, too.
To learn more and see if you’re a candidate for advanced regenerative PRP or procedures using your own bone marrow concentrate with Regenexx, tap the “TALK TO AN EXPERT” button in the “Are You A Candidate” visual below.
References
[1] Patient Procedure
https://youtu.be/aMBmjGmdUcI
