Ozone chemonucleolysis in non-contained lumbar disc herniations: a pilot study with 12 months follow-up.

STUDY DESIGN: Prospective case series with six and twelve months follow up. OBJECTIVE: To observe clinical and morphological results of the intradiscal ozone chemionucleolysis in patients affected by non-contained lumbar disc herniations. METHODS: 30 patients were included in the study on the base of precise inclusion and exclusion criteria. The patients were followed on 6 and 12 months period by Visual Analogic Scale (VAS), Roland Morris Disability Questionnaire (RMDQ) and Overall Patient Rating Scale (OPRS). Disc herniation volume morphology was evaluated at 5 months by control MRI scanning. RESULTS: Twenty-seven patients (90%) showed a statistically significant improvement in pain (P <0.001, Wilcoxon test) and function (P <0.001, Wilcoxon test), on VAS and RMDQ evaluation, respectively. The mean satisfaction with the treatment on OPSR was 79.3%, with 24 patients referring satisfaction equal or greater than 80%. There were no major complications related to the procedure. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study indicate the ozone chemonucleolysis as a possibly effective modality of treatment in patients affected by signs and symptoms of non-contained lumbar disc herniations that have overpassed conservative measures and have not yet fulfilled the indications for open surgical treatment.