• Allen S Chen, Joseph Solberg, Clark Smith, Michelle Chi, Ryan Lowder, George Christolias, and Jaspal Ricky Singh.
• Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, California.
• Pain Med. 2022 Jul 1; 23 (7): 1266-1271.

ObjectiveUsing stringent inclusion criteria, a double-blinded study protocol, and fluoroscopically guided injections, we compare intra-articular sacroiliac joint platelet-rich plasma injections with intra-articular steroids.DesignDouble-blind, randomized controlled trial.SettingTwo large university-based interdisciplinary spine centers.SubjectsA total of 26 patients with a positive diagnostic block (>80% relief).MethodsSubjects who had a positive diagnostic block were randomized to undergo either a fluoroscopically guided intra-articular injection of steroid or a platelet-rich plasma injection. Follow-up was at 1 month, 3 months, and 6 months. Outcomes included level of pain, as indicated on a 0- to 100-mm numeric pain rating scale, and functional disability score, obtained via the Oswestry Disability Index (ODI).ResultsAt 1, 3, and 6 months, both groups improved; however, subjects who received steroid injections reported lower pain scores than did subjects who received platelet-rich plasma. Using categorical data, we observed significantly more responders (defined as pain scores that improved by 50% or more from baseline) at 1 and 3 months in the group who received steroids than in the group who received platelet-rich plasma.ConclusionAlthough both groups showed improvements in pain and function, the steroid group had significantly greater response and significantly more responders than did the platelet-rich plasma group.© The Author(s) 2021. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the American Academy of Pain Medicine. All rights reserved. For permissions, please e-mail: journals.permissions@oup.com.

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