PRP Injections?

[REHH]

Looking for some feedback on PRP injections. I would be getting them in the neck and/or low back.
Already had 9 injections in my neck a few months back with the Dextrose, Lidocaine and some other anti inflammatory. It worked really well but was more of a temporary treatment, the PRP is more long term but not covered by insurance.

Spine Doc says these are my best options

1. Best; Fly to Panama and get stem cell injections which are not covered by insurance and illegal in USA. Cost 15,000-30,000, so not an option.
2. Bone marrow transplant, from hip bone then injected into neck. Insurance doesn’t cover and cost 15-20K. Not an option for me.
3. PRP injections. Not covered by insurance, cost around 2,000. He says this is my best option since I don’t wanna pay 15-30k for stem cells.
4. Nerve ablation with heated needle, basically kill the nerve so you don’t feel pain. Covered by insurance.
5. Steroid injections, covered by insurance but the doc doesn’t like it because it damages nearby tissues and so can create more problems
6. Surgery with fusions, rods, screws etc. Doc says try other treatments first, fusions are the last resort

 

[Dr.Greenthumb]

I had an ortho surgeon talk to me about PRP a few years back and he said the biggest obstacle was keeping it in the target joint as it does migrate eventually. I also have a friend who did a self stem cell donation (hip to C3/4) that eventually led to a laminectomy. I opted for the RF albation after the injections you described. It lasted about a year, I have pain again (the nerves regenerate) but it's not as severe. Depending on the location and severity, I'd weigh an ablation first as it's more conservative.

 

[Big Puppy]

I had a good client for decades who was a radiologist who did injections for years.

1. I had stem cells done. Took some from my hip bone because I did not have enough love handle fat to pull from at the time. I got a deal locally in the states and it was $12,000. That was 3 years ago. Also used exozomes. I am considerably better. Not 100%, but markedly better. Would definitely recommend.
2. Not sure if this is an actual transplant you're speaking of or if they're describing harvesting the stem cells from the hip.
3. Never seen great success with PRP in backs.
4. I have not had an ablation. Seen many get them. Like steroids, the first couple are good. Then the effectiveness diminishes. Not as bad as steroids, but it does. Effective though.
5. Steroid injections work great the first time or two. Subsequent injections are practically worthless. I've seen this not only in myself, but many others. You also have the option of facets vs epidural. Not a great long term fix.
6. Fusion is off the table. It just places extra stress on the surrounding joints. It just starts a cascade of needing to get fused. It would be an ultimate last resort where i was almost crippled before i got a fusion. My radiologist agrees. People seem better for a year, then it declines and they're back to where they were before.

I would continue to shop around for stem cells and exozomes. There are places in the US where it is "reasonable". Check Mexico. Clinics everywhere that are legit. What about Turkey? They do everything else there and pricing is practically free over there.

There is one more alternative option, but you have to be in the right mindset to make it work. But i fully believe in it and have seen it work. Would discuss via DM because most people would balk at it.