Русский 
English 
Deutsch 
Español 
العربية 
中文 
Türkçe 
Français 
Italiano 
The method in brief
| Who for | Chronic low back pain that the doctor attributes to a degenerated disc (discogenic pain), after failed conservative treatment |
| How it is done | Disc puncture under X-ray guidance and local anaesthesia; outpatient |
| What studies show | A small randomised PRP trial (2016) showed improvement in some patients; reviews rate the evidence as limited |
| Status | Not part of standard guidelines; used in some clinics |
| What it is not | Not a way to “remove a herniation” and not a substitute for surgery with nerve compression |
Risks and limitations
- Disc infection (discitis) — rare but serious.
- Temporary increase in pain after the procedure.
- It is hard to prove that pain comes from the disc, so patient selection matters.
- Increasing leg weakness or bladder problems require urgent care, not intradiscal therapy.
If you have been offered intradiscal therapy or spine surgery, a second opinion is useful. We send your images to several clinics.
Scientific evidence
Studies and reviews this page is based on:
- Tuakli-Wosornu YA et al. Lumbar intradiskal platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injections: a prospective, double-blind, randomized controlled study. PM R, 2016.
- Schneider BJ et al. The effectiveness of intradiscal biologic treatments for discogenic low back pain: a systematic review. Spine J, 2022.
- Manchikanti L et al. Effectiveness of intradiscal regenerative medicine therapies for long-term relief of chronic low back pain: a systematic review. Pain Physician, 2024.
Frequently asked questions about intradiscal therapy
Does PRP restore the disc?
There is no evidence of disc restoration in humans. Studies measure changes in pain and function.
Does it help a herniated disc?
For a herniation with leg pain the standard path is conservative care, spinal injections and surgery if needed. Intradiscal therapy has not been studied enough for this.
What does it cost?
It is self-paid; we request each clinic’s prices in advance.
How can RegenPAS help?
RegenPAS is a patient service centre in Munich, not a clinic. We review your images and symptoms and send a request to several partner clinics at once. Clinics that can accept you send their own conditions and price; prices differ between clinics, and you choose the option that suits you. The coordinator replies within 24 hours, and a clinic physician’s preliminary opinion follows in 1–3 business days. We then arrange the appointment, visa invitation, interpreter, transfers and accommodation. Treatment decisions are made by the clinic physician. Contact a coordinator.
Have you been offered disc treatment? Send your MRI — we will get opinions from several clinics
Send your MRI or ultrasound and describe where and when it hurts. The coordinator replies within 24 hours; a clinic physician gives an opinion in 1–3 business days.
Send images