Treating Painful Degenerative Disc Disease with Platelet-Based Treatments

A Trial of Platelet Injections for Treatment of Painful Degenerative Disc Disease

Not applicable Interventional Regenexx, LLC · NCT05287867

This study is testing whether two new platelet-based treatments can help people with painful degenerative disc disease feel better compared to a placebo.

Quick facts

PhaseNot applicable
Study typeInterventional
Enrollment42 (estimated)
Ages25 Years to 65 Years
SexAll
SponsorRegenexx, LLC Industry-sponsored
Locations2 sites (Broomfield, Colorado and 1 other locations)
Trial IDNCT05287867 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This clinical trial evaluates the effectiveness of two platelet-based treatments for painful degenerative disc disease compared to sham procedures. It is a single-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled study where participants receive treatments spaced four weeks apart. The study aims to assess improvements in clinical outcomes reported by subjects at various follow-up intervals, including 3 and 12 months post-treatment. A total of 42 subjects will be enrolled, with a 2:1 randomization between the treatment and control groups.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates are skeletally mature adults aged 25 to 65 with chronic back or leg pain due to degenerative disc disease who have not responded to conservative treatments.

Not a fit: Patients with significant spondylolisthesis or those who have not failed conservative treatments may not benefit from this study.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this study could provide a new, effective treatment option for patients suffering from painful degenerative disc disease.

How similar studies have performed: Other studies using platelet-based therapies for musculoskeletal conditions have shown promising results, suggesting potential success for this approach.

Eligibility criteria

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

* Voluntary signature of the IRB approved Informed Consent,
* Skeletally mature Male or Female ages 25 to 65
* Maximum of 3 levels degenerative disc disease without significant spondylolisthesis in the area c/w the pain (grade 1 with less than or equal to 10% vertebral body)
* Chronic back and/or leg pain having failed conservative treatment (e.g. NSAIDs, physician initiated physical therapy) for at least 6 months
* MRI and physical examination consistent with painful Degenerative Disc Disease
* Failure of epidural steroid injection, facet injection, medial branch block, radiofrequency ablation or physical therapy
* Instability as seen on MRI, flexion-extension x-ray, or physical deformity as seen on MRI c/w degenerative instability (facet hypertrophy, loss of disc height, spondylolisthesis, laterolisthesis, osteophytes)
* A lumbar surgery candidate (will need to specify which surgery, ie. fusion, decompression, etc)
* Is independent, ambulatory, and can comply with all post-operative evaluations and visits

Exclusion criteria:

* Evidence of more than moderate central canal or foraminal stenosis
* Smoker or cessation for less than 6 weeks
* Untreated underlying psychological conditions (e.g. depression, chronic pain syndrome, etc.) as a contributor to chronic pain
* Prior epidural steroid injection within the past 8 weeks
* Degenerative scoliosis if cob angle over 10 degrees
* Undergone previous Regenexx lumbar procedure
* Standing intolerance (patient cannot stand longer than 30 minutes)
* Inflammatory or auto-immune based pathology (e.g., rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus, psoriatic arthritis, polymyalgia, polymyositis, gout pseudogout)
* Severe neurogenic inflammation of the cutaneous nerves
* Condition represents a worker's compensation case
* Currently involved in a health-related litigation procedure
* Is pregnant
* Bleeding disorders
* Currently taking anticoagulant or immunosuppressive medication
* Allergy or intolerance to study medication
* Use of chronic opioid
* Documented history of drug abuse within six months of treatment
* Central sensitization
* Hypermobile or EDS
* 19\) Any other condition, that in the opinion of the investigator, that would preclude the patient from enrollment

Where this trial is running

Broomfield, Colorado 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 Degenerative Disc Disease
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.