Mesenchymal Stem Cells and Thermal Annular Procedures for Discogenic Pain: A Systematic Review with Pooled Analysis

Abstract

Aim: Compare the effectiveness of mesenchymal stem cell injection therapies (MSC) and thermal annular procedures for the treatment of discogenic lower back pain. Materials & methods: A systematic review was performed following PRISMA 2020 guidelines. Pooled analysis was performed using patients' pain scores at baseline and at 12 months post-intervention. Results: Effect sizes based on change in pain score from baseline to 12 month follow-up revealed clinically significant improvement in pain score across all interventions. Conclusion: Minimally invasive interventions provide meaningful relief in discogenic back pain, with results suggesting promise for MSC injection therapies as a treatment model.

Keywords: :

• discogenic pain
• interventional pain
• intradiscal biacuplasty
• intradiscal electrothermal therapy
• lower back pain
• mesenchymal stem cell
• minimally invasive
• pulsed radiofrequency
• radiofrequency annuloplasty
• thermal annular

Acknowledgments

We acknowledge all listed authors and thank them for their valuable contributions to the production and writing of this manuscript. We would also like to thank LM Price, MSLIS, from the Rowan-Virtua School of Osteopathic Medicine Health Sciences Library for her contributions in reviewing and editing the manuscript.

Financial disclosure

The authors have no financial involvement with any organization or entity with a financial interest in or financial conflict with the subject matter or materials discussed in the manuscript. This includes employment, consultancies, honoraria, stock ownership or options, expert testimony, grants or patents received or pending, or royalties.

Competing interests disclosure

The authors have no competing interests or relevant affiliations with any organization or entity with the subject matter or materials discussed in the manuscript. This includes employment, consultancies, stock ownership or options and expert testimony.

Writing disclosure

Writing support was provided by Lisa M. Price, funded as an employee of Rowan-Virtua School of Osteopathic Medicine Health Sciences Library, contributed by reviewing and suggesting edits to the manuscript.