Abstract
Introduction
The management of chronic low back pain presents a formidable challenge to the spine specialist. This study was carried out to evaluate the efficacy of percutaneous nucleoplasty in patients affected by painful disc protrusions and contained herniations.
Materials and Methods
64 Patient's data collected from 2006 to 2009 in Princess Alexandra hospital. Minimum duration of non-operative care with back pain was 6 months. Patients were considered potential candidates for the study if they reported a clinical syndrome defined by a primary report of low back pain with or without lower extremity referral pain.
Results
Out of 64 patients, 54 patient's full data collected. In that 28 male and 26 female with average age of 40.21and 43.11 yrs respectively. 40 patients underwent L45 level, 4 patients at L5S1, 9 patients at L45, L5S1 levels and 1 patient at 3 levels. Average Pre Op back VAS (Visual Analog Score) score 6.66, Leg VAS score 6.14 and Oswestry disability score 45.51. At 6months follow up back VAS score 4.5, Leg VAS score 3.14 and Oswestry disability score 20.03. Longest follow up with average 22 months (range from 12-36 months) with Back VAS score 5.09, Leg VAS score 3.64 and Oswestry disability score 36.25. Average pain reduction is significant - 50%-55%, and patient satisfaction is high - about 90%.
Conclusion
By overcoming the limitations of prior methods of percutaneous discectomy, DISC Nucleoplasty has demonstrated the potential to produce equivalent, or even better, outcomes in a procedure that is simpler, quicker, and less traumatic and has faster recovery-times.
