Facet pain treatment using autologous bone marrow aspirate

• Grant number: 24/10571-0
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants
• Start date: June 01, 2025
• End date: May 31, 2027
• Field of knowledge: Health Sciences - Medicine - Surgery
• Principal Investigator: Hazem Adel Ashmawi
• Grantee: Hazem Adel Ashmawi
• Host Institution: Hospital das Clínicas da Faculdade de Medicina da USP (HCFMUSP). Secretaria da Saúde (São Paulo - Estado). São Paulo , SP, Brazil
• Associated researchers: Felipe Chiodini Machado

Abstract

Facet degenerative arthropathy is one of the most common causes of back pain and is responsible for a large economic and social impact linked to expenses and absence from work. Pain caused is disabling and affects part of the working-age population, with an increasing prevalence as people age. The treatments available for pain control in public hospitals currently have low efficacy and are insufficient to stop the progression to disability. Therefore, new low cost treatments, with the possibility improving the analgesia of arthropathy, are of great value. Bone marrow aspirate (BMA) appears as an interesting product both for its potential due to the biomolecules and cells present in its composition, and for the absence of laboratory manipulation. The objective of this study is to evaluate the effectiveness of bone marrow aspirate as a therapeutic alternative in the treatment of low back pain of facet origin using a pain and quality of life assessments. Research participants will be selected and randomized into two groups: treatment with local anesthetic and corticosteroid or treatment with BMA at the site of their pain. Follow-up will be 12 months after the last application and functional parameters, pain and quality of life will be evaluated. (AU)