CC BY
10
BHopagHKa^w u AHTHOKCHgaHTbi 2018 TOM 5, №3
155
OZONUCLEOLYSIS IN BRACHALGIA
111 9
Umair Rashid , A. Hameed , M. Farooq , Marco Leonardi
1Punjab Institute of Neuro Sciences, Lahore, Pakistan IRCCS, N. Research Hospital, University of Bologna, Italy
Background and purpose
Direct injection of Oxygen-Ozone in the cervical discs has proved to be the effective alternative to surgery in patients with cervical disc herniation in many countries around the world. We report our experience with ozonucleolysis with patients effected by pain in cervical region (Brachalgia) due to disc herniation including post operative recurrence or disc prolapse.
Methods
4000 patients were treated with single session of Oxygen Ozone therapy from 20052017. All the patients had CT or MRI evidence of cervical disc prolapse with clinical signs of cervical nerve root compression. The procedure was performed under angio fluoroscopy using 22/23 G spinal needle with out any form of anesthesia. All the patients received intra discal injection of Oxygen Ozone mixture at a ozone concentration 30 ugm/ml. Among 4000 patients 3000 were males and 1000 were females between the age of 20-70 yrs. Therapeutic out come was assessed 5 months after treatment by using modified MacNab method.
Results
A satisfactory therapeutic outcome was obtained. 60% of the patients showed complete recovery with resolution of symptoms. 20% of the patients complained of occasional episodic neck pain and arms pain with no limitation of occupational activity. 5% of cases showed insufficient improvement. 5% of cases had no improvement and went for surgery. 10% of cases never turned up after the first visit.
Conclusion
Intradiscal and periganglionic injection of Ozone for herniated cervical disc has revolutionized percutaneous approach to nerve root diseases making it safer, cheaper and easier to repeat than treatments currently in use.
Key words: ozonucleolysis, brachalgia, disc herniation, ozone
