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Updated: Aug 12, 2026
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Anterior Cervical Discectomy and Fusion in the Ovine Model
Published on: October 5, 2009
Summary
Enzyme injections using collagenase effectively treated herniated discs in clinical trials. This minimally invasive treatment showed significant symptom relief and low toxicity in patients with intervertebral disc disease.
Area of Science:
- Biomedical research
- Enzymology
- Spinal surgery
Background:
- Herniated discs cause significant pain and disability.
- Current treatments have limitations.
- Enzymatic disc digestion offers a novel therapeutic approach.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the efficacy and safety of collagenase for treating herniated discs.
- To assess the therapeutic potential of enzymatic nucleolysis.
Main Methods:
- Animal studies in dogs and monkeys using collagenase to digest the nucleus pulposus.
- Clinical trials involving 82 carefully selected patients with herniated discs.
- A double-blind, placebo-controlled study with 30 patients.
Main Results:
- Animal studies demonstrated low toxicity.
- In clinical trials, 80.4% of patients reported good results.
- The double-blind study confirmed collagenase's superiority over placebo for symptom relief.
Conclusions:
- Collagenase is a safe and effective treatment for herniated discs.
- Enzymatic nucleolysis provides a promising alternative to surgical interventions.
- Further research may expand the application of collagenase in spinal disorders.
