This study aimed to systematically review evidence on the magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings—particularly postoperative ones—that correlate with the clinical outcomes to assess the adequacy of decompression surgery for degenerative lumbar spinal stenosis (LSS). Few studies have evaluated postoperative MRI findings and their correlation with clinical outcomes following decompression surgery for degenerative LSS. A comprehensive literature search was performed employing search engines. We analyzed postoperative MRI findings to identify those that correlated with clinical outcomes. Our study included 12 articles. Available literature indicated that certain postoperative MRI findings correlated with clinical outcomes and thus reflect the adequacy of decompression surgery. These findings included postoperative dural sac cross-sectional area (DSCA) expansion, amelioration in the grade of stenosis, reversion of nerve root sedimentation sign (SedSign), and absence of redundant nerve roots (RNRs). Postoperative MRI indicators—such as DSCA expansion, improved stenosis grade, SedSign reversal, and absence of RNRs—correlate with clinical improvement and should be actively assessed to evaluate the adequacy of decompression surgery in LSS.

Low back pain is one of the leading causes of disability in the world. Regenerative medicine can be one of the novel treatment breakthroughs in patients with low back pain, yet its use is still debatable. We performed a systematic evaluation and meta-analysis to determine the efficacy of platelet-rich plasma (PRP) treatment for patients with chronic low back pain. Comprehensive database searches were performed in four databases. This study was conducted and reported based on the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses Guideline and registered to PROSPERO. We included and examined randomized controlled trials that looked into research employing PRP for patients with chronic low back pain. Outcomes of interest include clinical enhancement of pain, which is demonstrated in pain scores. Three studies were included comprising 138 patients with chronic low back pain. After 1, 3, and 6 months after injection, there was a substantial reduction in the pain score difference between the PRP and control groups, demonstrating PRP’s superiority over the control group in the treatment of chronic low back pain. PRP injection significantly enhances chronic low back pain in the first, third, and sixth months after injection compared to controls.