1000 Section - Ultrasound-guided platelet-rich plasma injection alleviates pain, restores function, and enhances spinal stability in lumbar instability: A case report

Wednesday, May 20, 2026

6:00 PM - 7:30 PM PT

Presenting Author/Autor expositor(s)

SA

Shaolong Ai, MD

Doctor
West China School of Medicine West China Hospital of Sichuan University
CHENGDU, Sichuan, China (People's Republic)

Co-Author/Coautor(s)

HH

Hongchen He, MD

Professor
West China Hospital, Sichuan University
Chengdu City, Sichuan Province, Sichuan, China (People's Republic)

Case Diagnosis: low back pain

Case Description: A 37-year-old female office worker had 2-year chronic low back pain from lumbar instability, worsening with prolonged sitting, standing, and lumbar flexion-extension. After 12 months of ineffective conservative management (oral nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, core stabilization exercises, lumbar bracing), she underwent four ultrasound-guided PRP injections targeting L4-L5 at 4-week intervals. Evaluations included subjective measures (VAS, ODI, SF-36) and objective assessments (lumbar X-ray, MRI, sEMG of bilateral core muscles), with follow-ups at 1, 3, and 6 months post-treatment.

Discussions: Lumbar instability, marked by abnormal vertebral motion and chronic low back pain, has limited long-term efficacy with conservative treatments, while surgery carries risks. Platelet-rich plasma (PRP), with regenerative growth factors, is a promising minimally invasive option. A patient showed significant improvements over 6 months: VAS dropped from 7/10 to 2/10, ODI from 58/100 to 18/100, and SF-36 domains (e.g., Physical Functioning 50→80) improved. Objective assessments (X-ray, MRI, sEMG) confirmed reduced vertebral motion, enhanced ligament/disc integrity, and restored neuromuscular coordination. Ultrasound-guided PRP ensured precise delivery and safety (no adverse events). Limitations include single-case design, but PRP emerges as a safe, effective alternative for refractory lumbar instability, warranting further trials.

Conclusions: Ultrasound-guided PRP injections effectively alleviated chronic low back pain, restored functional capacity, and enhanced spinal stability in a patient with lumbar instability. Objective assessments (X-ray, MRI, and sEMG) confirmed improved vertebral motion control, ligamentous integrity, and neuromuscular coordination. No adverse events were observed during the 6-month follow-up, highlighting the safety and therapeutic potential of PRP in managing lumbar instability refractory to conventional treatments.