Comparing platelet-rich plasma and steroid injections for sacroiliac joint pain

Treatment for Sacroiliac Joint Pain Using Platelet-rich Plasma (PRP) Regenerative Therapy: A Randomized Controlled Trial in Comparison With Steroid/Anesthetic Injection With Advanced MR Analysis

Not applicable Interventional University of Utah · NCT05121961

This study is testing whether platelet-rich plasma injections work better than steroid injections for people suffering from sacroiliac joint pain.

Quick facts

PhaseNot applicable
Study typeInterventional
Enrollment50 (estimated)
Ages18 Years and up
SexAll
SponsorUniversity of Utah Academic / other
Locations2 sites (Salt Lake City, Utah and 1 other locations)
Trial IDNCT05121961 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of platelet-rich plasma (PRP) compared to steroid/anesthetic injections for treating sacroiliac joint pain. Patients diagnosed with sacroiliac joint pain will undergo a physical examination and a diagnostic lidocaine injection to confirm their condition. Eligible participants will be randomly assigned to receive either PRP or steroid/anesthetic injections in a single-blind manner, allowing for an unbiased assessment of treatment outcomes.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates are adults over 18 years old with chronic sacroiliac joint pain confirmed by diagnostic procedures.

Not a fit: Patients with recent steroid treatment, infections, or those on immunosuppressants may not benefit from this study.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this treatment could provide a more effective and longer-lasting relief for patients suffering from sacroiliac joint pain.

How similar studies have performed: Previous studies have shown promising results for the use of platelet-rich plasma in various musculoskeletal conditions, suggesting potential success for this approach.

Eligibility criteria

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

* Adult (\>18 y/o) males and females referred for therapeutic injection to the investigators spine interventional service by a physiatrist or pain anesthesiologist with a clinical diagnosis of SIJ pain confirmed by history
* 50% or greater reduction in pain by a diagnostic anesthetic block using no more than 1.5 cc 2% lidocaine performed under imaging guidance by a pain interventionalist (PM\&R, Pain Anesthesia, or Neuroradiology Spine Intervention).
* Baseline pain must be \>/=4 by numeric rating scale (NRS), at least 6 weeks in chronicity, and must not be multi-factorial (related to radiculopathy or axial pain localizing elsewhere) by physical examination or confounding medical history (infection, inflammatory spondyloarthropathy, or osseous metastatic disease).

Exclusion Criteria:

* SIJ steroid treatment within the prior 6 months.
* Patients with a history of infection currently on antibiotic therapy
* Usage of systemic immunosuppressants
* Pregnancy

Where this trial is running

Salt Lake City, Utah and 1 other locations

Study contacts

How to participate

  1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
  2. Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
  3. Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.
Conditions Low Back PainSacroiliac Joint Synovitis
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.