Abstract
Introduction
Puncture techniques—nucleoplasty and radio frequency denervation—have recently been widely used for the treatment of pain syndrome caused by intervertebral disc protrusion. The purpose of the study was to assess the effectiveness of nucleoplasty and radio frequency denervation of intervertebral joints as advanced minimally invasive surgical techniques for alleviating pain in the case of intervertebral disc disease, spondylarthrosis, and other vertebroneurologic diseases accompanying degenerative disc disease.
Materials and Methods
All patients had a history of pain syndrome for not less than 3 months and were followed up after undergoing minimally invasive procedures for 1 year. To assess the effectiveness, the visual analogue scale and treatment satisfaction scale were used. A total of 81 patients, aged between 30 and 57 years, underwent nucleoplasty and radio frequency denervation. Of the 81 patients, 70 patients of control group were treated therapeutically.
Results
No complications were noted. At 12-month follow-up all operated patients showed the decrease of pain syndrome intensity according to the visual analogue scale (p < 0.0001), and treatment satisfaction scores were higher compared with patients treated therapeutically (p < 0.001).
Conclusion
Minimally invasive electrosurgical techniques appeared to be safe and effective in the treatment of carefully selected patients suffering from low back pain and leg pain caused by a degenerative-dystrophic process. Nucleoplasty technique is more effective in younger patients. Procedures performed at several levels also result in marked clinical improvement. Primary advantages of these techniques were their safety and efficacy, minimal invasiveness, and the absence of a peridural scar. They do not complicate further microsurgical intervention.
None declared