The use of ozone in medical science is relatively new and its use in various fields is increasing day by day. One of the cases where the therapeutic effects of ozone have recently been noticed is in the treatment of lumbar disc prolapse.
Of course, this method may not be suitable for all types of disc protrusions. The patient should be properly selected based on physical examination and MRI features.
اNucleolysis is a minimally invasive method. Due to the importance of observing sterility conditions and the need to use a fluoroscope, it is performed in the operating room. Of course, the patient is fully awake during the operation and this operation is performed with local anesthesia. Before the operation, the patient receives a dose of prophylactic antibiotics to prevent infection in the disk (diskitis).
The procedure usually takes between half an hour and an hour. After that, the patient is observed in the hospital for two hours and after confirming the patient's condition, he is discharged. The patient can return home on his own foot, although it is better to have a patient with him. After the patient is prepared and lies on his stomach, under the guidance of the fluoroscope, special needles are sent into the target disc and after ensuring At the right place of the needle, a mixture of oxygen and ozone prepared by a special ozone generator is injected into the disc (nucleus) using contrast injection. Also, a part of ozone is injected around the damaged nerve root.
Mechanism of action: By denaturing the core of the disc, ozone reduces the volume of the disc and then the pressure caused by the protrusion of the disc on the nerve root is removed and the desired result is achieved. Of course, it takes between two to four weeks for the effect of ozone and the appearance of its results. After the operation, the patient can carry out his daily activities to the extent that it does not lead to pressure on the spine, and there is no need for absolute rest.
Author: Dr. Hossein Arjamand