Open AccessOutcomes of Percutaneous Disc Decompression Utilizing Nucleoplasty for the Treatment of Chronic Discogenic Pain
Author(s) -
Alexander E. Yakovlev
Publication year - 2007
Publication title -
pain physician
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.31
H-Index - 99
eISSN - 2150-1149
pISSN - 1533-3159
DOI - 10.36076/ppj.2007/10/319
Subject(s) - medicine , percutaneous , decompression , visual analogue scale , radicular pain , back pain , randomized controlled trial , low back pain , sciatica , surgery , physical therapy , lumbar , alternative medicine , pathology
Background: Percutaneous disc decompression utilizing Nucleoplasty has emerged as oneof the minimally invasive techniques for treatment of low back pain and lower extremity paindue to contained herniated discs. Only 1 study to date has examined its effect on functional activity and pain medication use; however, results were not analyzed over time, and recallbias was a limitation.Objective: Evaluation of the effect of Nucleoplasty on pain and opioid use in improvingfunctional activity in patients with radicular or axial low back pain secondary to containedherniated discs.Design: Retrospective, non-randomized case series.Methods: Twenty-two patients who had undergone Nucleoplasty were included in the analysis. Patients were evaluated at 1, 3, 6, and 12 months postoperatively, and were asked toquantify their pain using a visual analog scale ranging from 0 to 10. Patients were also surveyed in regards to their pain medication use, and functional status was quantified by a physical therapist who also used patient reports of ability to perform activities of daily living toassess status. Data were compared between baseline and at 1, 3, 6, and 12 months posttreatment.Results: Reported pain and medication use were significantly decreased and functional status was improved at 1, 3, 6, and 12 months following Nucleoplasty (P values ≤ 0.0010 for alloutcome measures at all time periods). There were no complications associated with the procedure and we found continued improvements over time.Conclusion: Nucleoplasty appears to be safe and effective. Randomized, controlled studiesare required to further evaluate its long-term efficacy.Key words: Discectomy, disc herniation, low back pain, minimally invasive, Nucleoplasty,percutaneous disc decompression.