Our Summary

This study looked at two different treatments for severe lower back and leg pain caused by a herniated disc in the spine. The traditional treatment is a surgical procedure called a microdiscectomy, but this study also looked at a newer treatment where a mix of oxygen and ozone is injected directly into the disc.

The researchers wanted to see if the newer treatment was just as good as the surgery. They tested this on a group of 49 patients, with about half getting the oxygen-ozone injections and the other half having the surgery.

They found that both treatments were equally effective at reducing pain over a 6-month period. They also found that most of the patients who had the oxygen-ozone treatment were able to avoid having surgery. The oxygen-ozone treatment took less time to perform and patients were able to leave the hospital much sooner.

In conclusion, this study showed that injecting a mix of oxygen and ozone into a herniated disc could be an effective alternative to surgery for treating severe lower back and leg pain.

FAQs

  1. What are the two treatments for severe lower back and leg pain caused by a herniated disc in the spine that were compared in this study?
  2. How did the effectiveness of the oxygen-ozone injections compare to the traditional microdiscectomy surgery over a 6-month period?
  3. What are some of the advantages of the oxygen-ozone treatment over the traditional surgery?

Doctor’s Tip

One helpful tip a doctor might give a patient about microdiscectomy is that it is important to follow post-operative care instructions carefully. This may include avoiding heavy lifting, bending, or twisting for a certain period of time, as well as gradually increasing physical activity as recommended by your healthcare provider. It is also important to attend all follow-up appointments to monitor your progress and ensure proper healing. Additionally, maintaining a healthy lifestyle with regular exercise, proper nutrition, and good posture can help prevent future back issues.

Suitable For

Patients who are typically recommended for microdiscectomy are those who have severe lower back and leg pain caused by a herniated disc in the spine that has not responded to conservative treatments such as physical therapy, medication, and epidural injections. These patients may have symptoms such as sciatica, weakness, numbness, or tingling in the legs, and difficulty performing daily activities due to the pain. It is important for patients to undergo a thorough evaluation by a spine specialist to determine if microdiscectomy is the appropriate treatment option for their condition.

Timeline

Before the microdiscectomy:

  • Patient experiences severe lower back and leg pain caused by a herniated disc in the spine
  • Patient may try non-surgical treatments such as physical therapy, medication, and injections
  • Patient meets with a spine specialist to discuss treatment options, including surgery

After the microdiscectomy:

  • Patient undergoes the microdiscectomy surgery to remove the herniated disc material pressing on the nerves
  • Recovery period after surgery includes pain management, physical therapy, and follow-up appointments with the surgeon
  • Patient gradually experiences relief from lower back and leg pain as they heal from the surgery
  • Patient may need to make lifestyle changes to prevent future disc herniation and maintain spine health

What to Ask Your Doctor

  1. What are the potential risks and benefits of a microdiscectomy compared to the oxygen-ozone treatment?
  2. How long is the recovery period for each treatment option?
  3. What is the success rate of each treatment in relieving pain and improving function?
  4. Are there any specific criteria or factors that would make one treatment a better option for me over the other?
  5. What is the likelihood of needing additional treatments or surgeries in the future after undergoing either treatment?
  6. How long have these treatments been used, and what is the long-term success rate for each?
  7. Are there any lifestyle changes or rehabilitation exercises that I should consider after undergoing either treatment?
  8. How will my insurance coverage differ between the two treatment options?
  9. Can you provide me with any additional resources or information to help me make an informed decision about which treatment to pursue?
  10. Are there any other alternative treatments that I should consider before making a decision?

Reference

Authors: Kelekis A, Bonaldi G, Cianfoni A, Filippiadis D, Scarone P, Bernucci C, Hooper DM, Benhabib H, Murphy K, Buric J. Journal: Spine J. 2022 Jun;22(6):895-909. doi: 10.1016/j.spinee.2021.11.017. Epub 2021 Dec 9. PMID: 34896609