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Background and Aims Chronic neck and arm pain (CNAP) is a common problem in the adult population with a typical 12-month prevalence of 30% to 50%, that has a substantial impact on health care and society, remaining a debilitating problem among adults. The current orientation of conservative therapy includes the use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), acetaminophen, muscle relaxants or short course of opioid pain medication, all of which lead to a temporary improvement in a majority of patients. If conservative therapy does not provide symptomatic relief, selective nerve root PRP injections can be used. The aim of this study is to evaluate the efficacy of PRP treatment in patients with CNAP. The rationale of using PRP is that they promote an inflammatory response that will lead to healing

Methods 40 patients with CNAP were injected 2 mLs of autologous platelet plasma rich via selective nerve root injection, under ultrasound guidance into the affected area. The patients were followed up using NRS and ODI (before/after). PRP was obtain and prepared from patients own blood under strict aseptic technique. 24 mL of blood was centrifuged for 2 minutes at 3450 rpm, the resulting 12 mL were again centrifuged at 3550 rpm for 5 minutes, the resulting 2 mls from the lower part of the tube were administered next to the affected nerve root, with 22G needle using ultrasound guidance.

Results Patients showed improvement in their scores at the 3 months follow up with no complications.

Conclusions PRP injection is an effective therapy for cervical pain.