Aim: To evaluate the effects of percutaneous ozone injection via the posterior-lateral route and inner margin of the facet joint in the treatment of large lumbar disc herniation.
Methods: Fifty-eight patients with large lumbar disc herniation were treated with percutaneous injection of ozone via the posterior-lateral route and inner margin of the facet joint under digital subtraction angiography. Second injections were performed 5 d after the initial injection. All patients were followed up for 6-18 mo. A modified Macnab method was used for assessing clinical outcomes after oxygen-ozone therapy.
Results: Successful puncture was obtained in all patients. The overall efficacy was 91.4%; the outcome was the excellent in 37 cases (63.8%), good in 16 cases (27.6%) and fair/poor in 5 cases (8.6%) according to the Macnab criteria. No severe complications were found throughout this study.
Conclusion: Percutaneous intradiscal ozone injection via the posterior-lateral route and inner margin of the facet joint is effective and safe for treatment of large lumbar disc herniation.
Keywords: Facet joint; Herniated disc; Lumbar vertebrae; Ozone; Zygapophysial joint.