Comparison of the effects of collagenase chemonucleolysis and radiofrequency thermocoagulation in the treatment of cervical intervertebral disc herniation

Objective To compare and evaluate the effect of collagenase chemonucleolysis(CNL)and radiofrequency thermocoagulation in the treatment of cervical intervertebral disc herniation. Methods 158 patients with cervical intervertebral disc herniation were divided into two groups based on the treatment they received.72 patients in A group were treated by radiofrequency thermocoagulation,and 86 patients in B group were treated by CNL. The total effective rate and pain degree were assessed according to MacNab criteria and VAS scoring after follow-up for one week, one month, three months and six months. Results The assessment of MacNab showed the effect of group B was better than group A after surgery(P0.05). One week after treatment,the assessment of VAS showed that the effect of group A was better than group B after surgery(P0.01), but 6 months after treatment, the effect of group B was better than group A(P0.05). Conclusion The radiofrequency thermocoagulation and CNL are both effective in the treatment of cervical inter-vertebral disc herniation.