Combined injection of medical ozone and collagenase for the treatment of lumbar disc herniation

Objective To observe the mid-term effectiveness of percutaneous lumbar puncture and injection of medical ozone and collagenase in treating lumbar disc herniation.Methods CT-guided percutaneous lumbar puncture and medical ozone injection into the intervertebral disc was performed in 78 patients with lumbar disc herniation, which was confirmed by imaging study or clinical manifestations.After 2-4 days, neucleolysis was carried out.Collagenase 12 000 U was injected via the anterior epidural space onto the surface or into the inside of the prominence of the protruded disc.Results The clinical results were evaluated in 6-25 months after the procedure.Of 78 patients treated with this technique, the result was excellent in 58(74.3%), good in 16(20.5%) and poor in 4(5.1%).Symptoms returned in 12 cases in 2 months after the procedure, and the reappeared symptoms were relieved in 9 of them within 2 months without giving any treatment.In 3 cases the symptoms disappeared after repeated injection of medical ozone.No serious complications occurred.Conclusion Percutaneous lumbar puncture and injection of medical ozone combined with collagenase is an effective, safe and minimally-invasive therapy for lumbar disc herniation.