Percutaneous Laser Disc Decompression for the Treatment of Discogenic Lumbar Pain and Sciatica: A Preliminary Report with 3-Month Follow-Up in a General Pain Clinic Population

Objective: Our aim was to evaluate the short-term efficacy of percutaneous laser disc decompression (PLDD) for the treatment of lumbar discogenic pain and sciatica. Background Data: PLDD has been reported to be a safe, effective, minimally invasive treatment option for patients with lumbar spinal pain associated with herniated disc, as an alternative to open spinal surgery. The present study was designed to evaluate the effectiveness of the procedure in patients attending a comprehensive interventional pain management clinic. Materials and Methods: Thirty-two consecutive patients with discogenic lumbar spinal pain with or without sciatica were identified by MRI scanning and discography. Patients with symptoms attributable to a herniated or degenerated lumbar disc were treated with PLDD utilizing the neodymium-YAG laser. The primary endpoint of the study was the standardized symptom score on the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgery (AAOS) Outcomes Assessment Questionnaire for neurogenic and back pain sym...