It is an innovative technique in Portugal for treatment of hernias of intervertebral discs, especially in the cervical and lumbar regions.

This is a minimally invasive technique, "non-surgical", which consists in applying a plasma source power through an advanced optical system, a very accurate location of the herniated disk, under control of high-definition imaging. The goal is to decrease the intradiscal pressure, forcing the disc herniation to return to its initial position, with consequent release of tension on the nerves and consequently pain. It involves the dissection of muscle or surgical removal of the disc and is free from the usual complications of surgery.

It also enables the regeneration of the fibrous ring which is a ring that surrounds the disc, reducing the possibility of recurrence, until now not possible by any other minimally invasive technique, including conventional surgery.

It is an extremely safe technique without risk or complications with short-term hospital stay (maximum two days) and allows a quick return to the routines of daily and professional life. According to several published studies, the success rate is higher than 80% (especially in the follow-up after 1 year), without the need for physiotherapeutic prolonged rehabilitation.

Clinical Case

The minimally invasive treatment of herniated disks in any vertebral level (cervical, thoracic and lumbar), can be accomplished by Nucleoplasty Coablação by the Arthrocare® brand system.

It shows excellent results internationally. Through this system it is possible to reduce the herniated disc nucleus, the pressure inside the disc, the disc herniation protrusion and consequently the compression and local inflammation of the affected nerve root. This treatment may be performed in patients with complaints of pain referred to the column (with or without radiation to the arm or leg), with poor response to drugs, as well as in patients undergoing conventional surgery without improvement in symptomatology or recurrence or clinical worsening.

The treatment of herniated discs with Ozone is an effective procedure, safe and free of serious complications. It is the administration of a mixture of oxygen and ozone into the disc and adjacent to the pinched nerve.

Ozone injected into the drive promotes the reduction of its volume and thus decreases the pressure on the nerve that is responsible for back pain (with or without eradicating the arms or legs), and may be accompanied by changes in sensitivity or decrease muscle strength. The injection by the affected nerve, has anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties.

The success rate for this technique is about 75 to 80%. The recovery time is significantly shorter, allowing patients to quickly return to their daily routine activities.

Note: Not all hernias are indicated for this type of treatment, including hernias bulky dimensions or migrated fragments.

The treatment of pain radiofrequency is the introduction of very thin needles along the nerve endings of painful articular facets dispersed throughout the spine (cervical, dorsal and / or lumbosacral) under imaging control.

The aim of this treatment is to promote the treatment of facet pain by desensitizing the painful joint surfaces through an electrical current transmitted by a machine at the tip of the needles, which changes by heating the nerves responsible for pain. At the end of treatment is needed to rebound period short, at the end of which the patient is discharged home.

Vertebroplasty / percutaneous kyphoplasty is indicated in patients with pain resulting from vertebral fractures by impairment associated with secondary bone mineral loss osteoporosis or infiltrative tumor lesions.

It consists of introducing a kind of "cement" (PMMA) into the fractured vertebra, in order to consolidate the fracture and at the same time strengthen the bone structure of the vertebrae affected, with or without bone remodeling. The procedure is performed under conscious sedation or general anesthesia, with proper and rigorous imaging control.

Although less common than osteoporosis, neoplastic disease is well known as a cause of painful compression fracture.

These fractures may be associated with primary or metastatic malignant lesions, myeloma, and aggressiveness of some benign tumors, examples of which are the hemangiomas. A biopsy of suspicious lesions is guided by CT scan or ultrasound, with local anesthesia.

Procedures are free of severe complications, with a short hospital stay and recovery, allowing for quick patient's return to daily routine activities.

Also: are minimally invasive therapeutic procedures; General anesthesia is not necessary; It does not interfere with bone structures; does not imply the disc removal; without skin scar; have a high success rate expected; They do not prevent surgery, if necessary.

They can be used in patients with complaints of pain referred to the column (with or without radiation to the arm or leg), with poor response to drug treatment, as well as in patients undergoing invasive surgery without improvement in symptomatology or recurrence / worsening clinical (Failed Back Surgery Syndrome).

These treatments are not suitable for all patients with vertebral / spinal pain, a medical consultation is necessary with diagnostic discussion and therapeutic options.