Percutaneous ozone nucleolysis for lumbar disc herniation

Area of Science:

• Minimally Invasive Spine Procedures
• Interventional Pain Management
• Spinal Disc Treatments

Background:

• Percutaneous minimally invasive disc treatments are typically indicated for contained disc herniations.
• The efficacy of ozone nucleolysis for both contained and uncontained lumbar disc herniations requires further investigation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To prospectively evaluate the efficacy of ozone nucleolysis in treating contained and uncontained lumbar disc herniations.

Main Methods:

• Fifty-two patients with symptomatic lumbar disc herniations, unresponsive to conservative treatment, underwent fluoroscopic-guided intradiscal and periradicular oxygen-ozone (O2-O3) injections.
• Patients received a mixture of O2-O3, steroid, and local anesthetic.
• Clinical outcomes were assessed using the Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) and pain intensity scales at 2 and 6 months post-procedure.

Main Results:

• Significant reductions in pain and disability were observed at 2 months (74-76%) and 6 months (76-78%) post-treatment (P < 0.001).
• Mean ODI scores decreased from 35 to 19.36, and pain intensity scores reduced from 2.38 to 1.04 at 6-month follow-up.
• Treatment failures were primarily associated with symptom duration exceeding one year. No complications were reported.

Conclusions:

• Ozone nucleolysis is a safe and cost-effective minimally invasive technique.
• The procedure demonstrates efficacy in treating both contained and uncontained lumbar disc herniations.
• Longer symptom duration may be a factor influencing treatment outcomes.