A comparative study between the clinical behavior and the RMI scan resolution in patients undergoing ozone therapy due to acute disk herniation with root compression

Ros J.M., Grangeat A., Prez A. and Croce E.
(Argentina)
The treatment of the acute herniation disk can be approached through various methods, some of them being non-surgical like discolisis with oxygen-ozone therapy (O2-O3). The aim of this paper is to analyse the progressive changes occurring in the RMI and the absence of correlation between the former and the clinical improvement of the symptoms in patients undergoing ozone therapy due to acute disk herniation with root compression. Between April 2002 and December 2003, 122 patients with herniation disc pathology underwent oxygen-ozone therapy discolysis. Fourty of them with acute herniation lumbar disk, of whom 28 (70 %) were male and 12 female (30 %). Mean age: 36.89. A hundred percent complained about pain which resulted in: social behaviour changes 30 (75 %), wakefulness 28 (70 %), amusement disturbances 20 (50 %), sexual disturbances 16 (40 %). Other minor disorders were sensory changes like disesthesia, paresthesia, or anaesthesia). Radiology diagnosis was utilised in all cases by means of RMI. Twenty two out of 40 (55 %) had involved L5-S1 space. Heigth (20 %) L4-L5, 6 (15 %) L3-L4, and 4 (10%) had more than one level involved. Test on pain and influence on various aspects were run, which resulted in a pain index inability (IDD). Both RMI and IDD results were later compared. These patients underwent 10 sessions of O2-O3, two of which consisted of 6 mg/dose and 8 of 30 mg/dose. After the treatment, further tests were performed and new IDD results were obtained. These results were later classified as follows: Excellent (35 %); Very Good (50 %); Good (10 %), fairly good (5%) and failure (0%). In fact, ozone-therapy results in an improvement in the disc-nerve root conflict and in the overall clinical picture. Such achievement is independent of the mechanical factor changes, which will take place only later in time (6 – 12 months). It can be clearly observed that patients have improved their symptoms independently of the RMI changes, which occur only six month after ending the treatment. Pain resolution and its concomitant disabilities is the aim of the treatment in patients with acute disc herniation.