Discs are sponge-like cushions that rest in the middle of the bones of the spine. When a disc bulges or herniates outward, it can cause drag or constraint on the spinal nerves, resulting in a fitness known as sciatica. Sciatica is characterized by back and leg pain and weakness. Physicians often recommend that patients try six weeks of anti-inflammatory and pain medications before in view of other treatments.
"Most protocols call for a minimal near to initially treat a herniated disc," said Alexios Kelekis, M.D., Ph.D., assistant professor of interventional radiology at the University of Athens in Greece. "But by deflating the disc and giving the nerve root the space it needs, disc decompression solves the dilemma of root indignation and prevails in the desire run."
In percutaneous disc decompression, interventional radiologists use picture supervision to puncture a bulging disc through the skin with a needle and deflate the disc by either removing some tissue or using force to dissolve it. The procedure is performed on an outpatient foundation under local anesthesia, and patients are usually able to going back to regular activities within 30 days.
In this study, Dr. Kelekis and colleagues treated two groups of patients with herniated discs and sciatica confirmed by MRI. Both groups included 17 men and 14 women complaining of back and leg pain. The middle age of patients was 36.
Both groups had tried different cautious treatments in the past without success. The first group, which received six weeks of strict conventional treatment consisting of analgesics, anti-inflammatory drugs and muscle relaxants, reported pain lowering and improved mobility at the end of treatment. The second group underwent percutaneous disc decompression.
Upon completion of treatment, patients in both groups were clinically evaluated and completed a questionnaire designed to assess pain relief, quality of life and changeability improvement at intervals of three months, 12 months and 24 months later.
Both forebearing groups reported pain diminution and increased mutability at the three-month interval. However, one year and two years after treatment, patients who had undergone disc decompression prolonged to improve, while patients who received only traditional remedy reported that their pain had returned and their changeability had decreased.
"Up until 12 months next therapy, both groups of patients were doing great," Dr. Kelekis said. "But by 12 months beyond treatment, patients who received only conventional therapeutics had returned to their initial pain levels."
Percutaneous disc decompression is suitable only for herniated discs that are not ruptured or too compressed.
From : .medicalnewstoday.com
