The results of Nucleoplasty using the Arthrocare Coblation technology versus SpineView Decompressor in patients with lumbar contained hydrated disc

Sep 23, 2016

The results of Nucleoplasty using the Arthrocare Coblation technology versus SpineView Decompressor in patients with lumbar contained hydrated disc*

Henry B. H. and Sh. N. Fanous
Spine Care Center , Cairo , Egypt. **

Abstract 

A total of 50 procedures were performed, 25 patients were treated using SpineView decompressor and 25 patients by  Nucleoplasty using the Arthrocare Coblation technology. The total  population had leg pain (sciatica), 30 of which had low back pain (discogenic pain) . Mean age of patients was 30 – 60 years. The mean follow-up period was 1 year. Follow up was done weekly for the first 2 months then monthly for the first year post-procedure according to Visual Analogue Scale , Urs Muller et.al.(2008) as well as featured neurological examination. 
Analgesic consumption was stopped or reduced in 9 of the 15 patients with sciatica and low back pain treated with SpineView decompressor (60%) at 2 months (66%)  4months after the procedure, and in 9 of the 15 patients with sciatica and low back pain treated by Nucleoplasty using the Arthrocare Coblation technology (60%) at 2 months (66%) 4months after the procedure.

The patients who had sciatica only has shown reduction in analgesic consumption in 9 of the 10 patients who were treated with SpineView decompressor (90%) at 2 months, and in 2 of the 10 patients who were treated by Nucleoplasty using the Arthrocare Coblation technology (20%) at 2 months.

Our results encourage us to use SpineView decompressor  in carefully selected patients with sciatica and small contained disc protrusion . Also we find that applying  Nucleoplasty using  the Arthrocare Coblation technology in those patients with low back pain and small contained disc protrusion can give satisfactory results. These results need further efforts and researches in order to be general recommendations.