PRP THERAPY FOR THE TREATMENT OF LUMBAR FACET SYNDROME IN PROFESSIONAL TEAM SPORTS ATHLETES

Abstract

Abstract. Aim. The paper aims to analyze the clinical efficacy of PRP therapy for the treatment of isolated lumbar facet syndrome (FS) in professional team sports athletes and their return to sports activity. Materials and methods. The study involved 41 team sports athletes, including 10 football players, 8 volleyball players, 9 basketball players, 6 hockey players, 8 ball hockey players. All patients met the inclusion criteria and underwent PRP therapy of the facet joints (FJ) in the period from 2017–2019. Treatment efficacy was assessed by clinical data, perioperative complications and the time to return to sports. The average follow-up period was 18 months. Results. In the long-term postoperative period, the following observations were made: a decrease in the VAS scores of pain intensity in the lumbar spine from 68 (61; 84) mm to 3 (2; 5) mm (p = 0.002); a significant improvement of SF-36 scores with respect to the physical and psychological components of health from 26.18 (23.96; 28.25) to 49.76 (48.16; 53.03) (p = 0.002) and from 27.73 (22,51; 29.29) to 52.68 (48.36;56.94) (p = 0.004), respectively; a significant improvement of Borg RPE Scale values with respect to the perception of physical activity from 16–18 points (median 17 points) to 6–8 points (median 7 points) (p < 0.001); predominantly excellent (n = 39, 95.12 %) and good (n = 4, 88 %) treatment results according to the MacNab scale. There were 2 complications (4.8 %) in the early postoperative period in the form of subcutaneous hematoma formation, and 3 (7.3 %) complications in the period from 2 to 6 months post-surgery in the form of low-intensity FS relapse. The average time to return to previous sports activity was 20 (17; 26) days. Conclusion. PRP therapy of the facet joints of the lumbar spine is a highly effective minimally invasive treatment that provides a stable reduction in lumbar pain and quick functional recovery with a low incidence of perioperative complications and a quick return to previous sports activity.