侧后路经椎间孔镜下髓核摘除、射频热凝纤维环成形术治疗椎间盘源性腰痛

目的:观察侧后路经椎间孔镜下髓核摘除、射频热凝纤维环成形术治疗椎间盘源性腰痛的疗效.方法:2007年4月～9月共收治经椎间盘造影证实的椎间盘源性腰痛患者25例,其中伴有下肢疼痛不适4例,术前腰痛VAS评分为6.24±0.97分.均采用侧后路经椎间孔镜下髓核摘除、射频热凝纤维环成形术治疗,术后1周、1个月、3个月、6个月和12个月时进行腰痛VAS评分,术后12个月时进行MacNab评分.结果:2例于术后1周出现下肢"日光烧灼综合征",均为LS/S1椎间盘纤维环破裂患者,经过脉冲电刺激治疗1周后缓解;无其他手术并发症发生.术前伴有下肢疼痛不适的4例患者术后下肢症状均缓解.随访12个月,术后1周腰痛VAS评分0.80±0.65分,术后1个月0.56±0.65分,术后3个月0.48±0.65分,术后6个月0.52±0.65分,术后12个月0.67±0.58分,术后各时间点评分较术前有明显降低(P<0.01),术后6个月和12个月评分较术后1周无明显反弹(P>0.05).按照MacNab评分标准,12个月随访时优11例,良12例,可2例,总有效率100%,优良率92%.结论:侧后路经椎间孔镜下髓核摘除、射频热凝纤维环成形术是治疗椎间盘源性腰痛的有效、微创方法.     

经皮射频消融髓核成形术治疗椎间盘源性腰痛

目的探讨经皮射频消融髓核成形术治疗椎间盘源性腰痛的疗效、优缺点及其并发症的防治。方法对47例椎间盘源性腰痛患者采用ArthroCare2000行射频消融髓核成形术。结果随访4~36个月,平均19个月。依据VAS评分系统评定,有效率为97%,VAS降低53%(P<0.05),无严重的并发症发生。结论经皮射频消融髓核成形术治疗椎间盘源性腰痛方法简单,有效率高,并发症少。     

射频消融髓核成形术治疗椎间盘源性腰痛疗效分析

目的 探讨经皮射频消融髓核成形术治疗椎间盘源性腰痛的疗效和安全性.方法 对45例椎间盘源性腰痛患者作射频消融髓核成形术治疗.结果 术后平均随访10.5个月,术前腰痛VAS评分平均为(7.5±0.45)分,术后1周、1个月和最后一次随访分别为(3.6±0.23)分、(3.1±0.55)分和(3.3±0.34)分.包容性腰椎间盘突出症的患者术后下肢放射痛均有不同程度的减轻,无相关并发症.结论 对于椎间盘源性腰痛,射频消融髓核成形术是一种安全和有效的微创手术;但对于神经根性疼痛的缓解效果不佳.     

经皮颈椎髓核成形术的适应证选择

目的探讨髓核成形术治疗颈椎椎间盘突出症的临床适应证。方法由同一术者对127例包含型颈椎椎间盘突出症患者实施髓核成形术。其中男81例,女46例,平均年龄为49岁。采用症状缓解率(VAS评分)和病患主观满意度分级进行疗效评估。结果患者术后均获得随访,随访时间为4~31个月,平均18个月。末次随访时,临床症状以颈肩痛及上肢放射痛为主者主观满意度的优良率达74%;MRI上以侧方突出为主者主观满意度的优良率达76%。结论临床结果显示,严格选择以下情形,应用髓核成形术治疗包含型颈椎椎间盘突出可以提高临床疗效:①严重颈肩痛伴明显上肢放散痛。②MRI上却以侧方小的突出为主。③颈椎开放手术的围手术期治疗。     

侧后路经皮椎间孔镜下髓核摘除、射频热凝纤维环成形术治疗椎间盘源性腰痛

目的探讨侧后路经皮椎间孔镜下髓核摘除、射频热凝纤维环成形术治疗椎间盘源性腰痛的短期疗效。方法采用侧后路经皮椎间孔镜下髓核摘除、射频热凝纤维环成形术治疗25例经椎间盘造影证实的间盘源性腰痛,分析治疗前及治疗后6个月内VAS评分的变化及术后6个月MacNab评分。结果2例术后1周出现下肢日光烧灼综合征,均为L5～S1椎间盘破裂患者,经过脉冲电刺激治疗1周后缓解;无其他手术并发症发生。25例随访6～10个月,术前腰痛VAS评分为6.24±0.97,术后1周VAS评分0.80±0.65,术后1、3、6个月VAS评分均为0（0～2）,术后腰痛VAS评分较术前有明显降低（Kruskal-Wallis法秩和检验,H=61.680,P=0.000）,且术后6个月内腰痛VAS评分无明显反弹。术前伴有下肢疼痛不适的4例术后下肢症状均缓解。按照MacNab评分标准,6个月随访时11例优,12例良,2例可,优良率92.0%（23/25）。结论侧后路经皮椎间孔镜下髓核摘除、射频热凝纤维环成形术治疗间盘源性腰痛短期疗效满意。     

椎间盘源性腰痛的临床特点与治疗

目的:探讨椎间盘源性腰痛的临床表现特点,为其诊断和治疗提供参考。方法:回顾性分析经手术治疗的21例椎间盘源性腰痛患者的术前临床表现、影像学资料及术后腰痛和功能改善程度。结果:椎间盘源性腰痛的主要临床表现为伴有功能障碍的严重腰痛,可伴随腹股沟、大腿前外侧痛或根性放射痛;病变椎间盘造影纤维环破裂明显,MRI上出现椎间盘纤维环后方高信号或终板信号改变者比率低;前路椎间盘切除、椎间融合术后疼痛VAS评分和Oswestry功能障碍指数改善率分别为(82.2±3.4)%和(74.0±5.7)%。结论:椎间盘源性腰痛患者的特异性体征和影像表现少,椎间盘造影是可靠诊断方法,前路椎间盘切除椎间融合疗效可靠。     

髓核游离至硬膜囊背侧致截瘫的腰椎间盘突出症1例

腰椎间盘突出纤维环破裂髓核游离至硬膜囊背侧极为少见[1,2],国内郝永宏等收治1 126例腰椎间盘突出症患者,其中腰椎间盘突出纤维环破裂髓核游离至硬膜囊背侧者仅12例,占同期腰椎间盘突出症的1·1%,患者均未发生截瘫[3]。近期我们收治1例髓核游离至硬膜囊背侧引起截瘫的腰椎间盘突出症患者,报告如下。患者,男,55岁。以“腰痛伴双下肢麻木无力1月余”主诉入院。1个月前感腰痛向右下肢放射,在外院诊断为椎间盘突出症,行腰椎管封闭及牵引治疗术,术后腰痛及右下肢放射痛好转,但次日感腰痛伴双下肢麻木无力,无大小便失禁,双下肢麻木无力呈进行性加…     

臭氧在椎间盘源性腰痛诊治中的应用

目的 结合臭氧的特性,探讨它在椎间盘源性腰痛诊治中的应用.方法 有典型的腰痛或腰腿痛症状的患者116例纳入临床观察,其中男72 例,女44 例,年龄40.2±3.4岁.入院后均在CT导向下行椎间盘穿刺臭氧造影及治疗,进行3个月,6个月,2年的随访, 按照Mac2Nab腰腿痛评价标准进行评价.结果 臭氧气体造影在显示后纵韧带破裂的阳性率高于伊索显造影,且无明显禁忌症.49例单纯腰痛患者治疗后症状立即消失并无复发.67例腰痛伴下肢痛治疗后症状缓解.按照Mac2Nab腰腿痛评价标准显效81例,有效14例,无效21例,总有效率达82%.结论 臭氧对盘源性腰痛诊断有特殊价值,CT导向下医用臭氧局部注射是治疗盘源性腰痛的一种有效方法.     

人工髓核置换腰椎间盘成形治疗腰椎间盘突出症

目的 采用人工髓核置换椎间盘成形术重建椎间盘功能。方法 行人工髓核置换椎间盘成形术治疗腰椎间盘突出症33例，随访8月～12月。结果 部分患者术后出现短暂的剧烈腰痛，口服药物后缓解。所有患者，椎间高度保持，椎间活动存在，远期无腰痛症状，1例患者在植入6周后，髓核脱出，出现下肢疼痛，手术取出。结论 对于在人工椎间盘置换和椎间隙最终行融合之前，人工髓核置换椎间盘成形保留了椎间盘的功能，恢复脊柱节段的运动，减少邻近椎间隙和关节突的退变，是脊柱外科的发展趋势，人工髓核是一种选择。     

化学性神经根炎

目的研究分析疼痛椎间盘的纤维环破裂与患者下肢放射痛的关系,进而探讨是否存在化学性神经根炎这一临床病理现象.方法临床收集42例单节段椎间盘源性下腰痛伴单侧或双侧下肢放射痛患者,男27例,女15例;年龄19～52岁,平均34.9岁;症状持续至少6个月,平均3年4个月.通过椎间盘造影和其后的CT扫描,分析纤维环撕裂方向与下肢放射痛侧别的关系;行肌电图和运动神经传导速度检查,分析有无神经根损伤,以及其与下肢放射痛的关系.结果腰椎间盘造影时,所有患者显示单水平纤维环破裂且呈现一致性疼痛复制反应,纤维环撕裂方向与下肢放射痛的侧别有显著的正相关性.42例肌电图检查提示神经根损害者32例（76%）.23例单侧下肢放射痛者中17例（74%）存在神经根损害,均为同侧;19例双侧下肢放射痛者中有15例（79%）存在神经根损害.症状侧腓总神经和胫神经运动传导速度较正常侧减慢,差异有统计学意义.结论疼痛椎间盘产生的炎性化学物质通过纤维环全层撕裂漏出并作用于相邻神经根引起神经根损害,可能是化学性神经根炎产生的基本病理生理学机制.     

髓核成形术治疗颈、腰椎间盘突出症的疗效分析

目的：探讨髓核成形术治疗颈、腰椎间盘突出症的手术技术、适应证及疗效。方法：采用ArthroCare 2000射频汽化仪对颈、腰椎间盘突出症患者实施髓核成形术。其中颈椎间盘突出症患者43例(A组)，平均年龄47岁；腰椎间盘突出症患者39例(B组)，平均年龄36岁。术前及术后随访时采用症状缓解率(VAS评分)和患者主观满意度分级进行疗效评估。结果：A组术后即刻症状缓解率平均为68％，主观满意度优良率达95％，B组术后即刻症状缓解率平均为61％，主观满意度优良率为87％。A组平均随访17．6个月，症状缓解率为49％，主观满意度优良率为63％。末次随访时B组39例中16例症状接近术前，主观满意度优良率为3l％，其中5例接受了开放手术。结论：髓核成形术创伤小、安全，治疗包含性颈椎间盘突出症疗效较好，但治疗腰椎间盘突出症疗效欠稳定。     

椎间盘源性腰痛的诊断与治疗

目的探讨腰椎间盘源性疼痛的诊断方法及采用前路经腹膜外入路椎间盘切除人工椎间盘置换或椎间cage植骨融合的临床疗效。方法35例经保守治疗无效的椎间盘源性腰痛患者接受手术治疗。椎间盘源性腰痛的诊断标准为：（1）腰部及下肢疼痛的部位与神经根定位不符；（2）症状反复发作，病程在半年以上；（3）MRI病变椎间盘T2加权像低信号；（4）椎间盘造影阳性，相邻节段为阴性对照；（5）关节突关节封闭除外关节突关节退变引起的疼痛。患者年龄25-67岁，平均43．6岁。L4-5 14例，L5S1 16例，L4-5和L5S1双间隙5例。前路经腹膜外入路椎间盘切除后行人工椎间盘置换13例16个椎间盘，椎间cage融合22例24个椎间盘。术后3-7天下地活动。腰围固定3个月。结果所有患者随访6～26个月，平均18个月。术后腰痛及下肢痛症状明显缓解，均恢复正常生活或工作。VAS评分由术前平均72分，降至术后18分，随访6个月时6．5分。ODI评分由术前平均21．5分。降至随访6个月时3分。椎间隙高度从术前平均9．5mm增加至术后13．5mm。手术时间70-120min，出血量100-400ml。随访时未发现肠梗阻、逆行射精和假体位置移动。结论椎间盘源性腰痛由于临床和影像学表现不典型，常被误诊或漏诊，可结合腰椎MRI及椎间盘造影进行诊断。腰椎前路椎间盘切除人工椎间盘置换或椎间cage融合是治疗椎间盘源性腰痛的有效选择。     

经皮低温等离子消融髓核成形术治疗椎间盘源性下腰痛

目的 回顾性分析经皮低温等离子消融髓核成形术治疗椎间盘源性下腰痛的临床疗效.方法 41例复发性下腰痛患者,经X光片、CT和/或MRI检查,结合椎间盘穿刺造影术确诊为椎间盘源性下腰痛.部位:L3/44例,L4/524例,L5/S110例,L4/5+L5/S13例.采用经皮低温等离子消融髓核成形术进行治疗,于术毕即刻、术后...     

后路颗粒骨植骨融合内固定治疗退行性腰椎不稳

目的探讨颗粒骨后路植骨融合内固定治疗退行性腰椎不稳的效果。方法48例退行性腰椎不稳患者,行腰椎椎弓根钉棒内固定,全椎板或半椎板减压,颗粒状骨植骨治疗。结果全部获随访时间6个月～4年,4～6个月后可见植骨灶骨融合征象,无复位丢失和螺钉断裂。患者腰痛、下肢疼痛症状均明显缓解。疗效及功能评定结果：优22例,良24例,可2例,优良率96%。结论脊柱后路颗粒植骨结合椎弓根钉内固定是治疗退行性腰椎不稳一种有效的手术方法。     

经皮内镜椎间孔入路手术治疗老年腰椎间盘突出症的临床分析

目的探讨经皮内镜椎间孔入路手术治疗老年腰椎间盘突出症的适应证,分析手术技术及疗效。 方法回顾性收集辽宁省抚顺市中心医院骨科2016年1月至2018年6月,采用经皮内镜椎间孔入路手术治疗单责任节段老年腰椎间盘突出症患者67例,男性24例,女性43例,年龄60~87岁,平均年龄（68±7）岁。责任节段：L_3~4间盘突出11例,L_4~5间盘突出42例,L₅~S₁间盘突出14例。病程0.5~36个月。采用疼痛视觉模拟评分（VAS）、Oswestry功能障碍指数（ODI）、改良MacNab评价临床疗效。 结果本组均顺利完成手术,手术时间60~150 min,平均（105±18）min。随访6~12个月,平均（7.5±1.6）个月。除1例症状未改善外,其余66例患者腰腿痛症状及神经功能障碍均有不同程度的缓解。术前患者腰痛VAS评分为（3.5±1.2）分,腿痛VAS评分为（8.0±1.1）分,ODI指数为（70±18）,术后6~12个月随访时腰痛VAS评分为（1.7±0.9）分,腿痛VAS评分为（1.0±1.6）分,ODI指数为（17±10）,差异均有统计学意义（t=13.718,t=30.973,t=23.059,均P=0.000）。按照改良MacNab评价标准,优42例,良18例,可5例,差2例,优良率89.55%。无硬膜撕裂、神经根损伤和感染,术中出现颈痛3例,术后出现下肢一过性麻木疼痛5例,下肢疼痛持续残留2例,出现对侧下肢疼痛1例,腰痛明显加重2例,复发1例。 结论具备熟练的椎间孔镜技术,掌握好手术适应证,明确责任阶段,采用经皮内镜椎间孔入路手术治疗老年腰椎间盘突出症可取得良好的近期效果。     

Video-assisted ALIF with cage and anterior plate fixation for L5-S1 spondylolisthesis

INTRODUCTION: Spondylolysis and spondylolisthesis grade 0, 1, and 2 are mainly asymptomatic but with aging process and different factors some back pain can occur and lead to chronic low back pain. The conservative treatment with physiotherapy and steroid injection is the gold standard but in some cases is not efficient enough and a surgical treatment is proposed. OBJECTIVES: The goal of this study is to propose a new technique to treat grade 0, 1, and 2 spondylolisthesis with an anterior video-assisted fusion and stabilization. METHODS: Twenty patients with chronic low back pain since more than 2 years and resistant to conservative therapy were included in this protocol. Clinical signs and radicular pain were noted. They were evaluated preoperatively and postoperatively until the last follow up using Oswestry score and visual analog score (VAS) for leg and back pain. X-rays showed grade 0 (8 cases), 1 (10 cases), and 2 (2 cases) spondylolisthesis according to Meyerding classification with disc collapse (bulging disc). MRI showed in all cases a disc degeneration with at least black disc and/or endplates changes with Modic I or II. All patients were operated using an anterior video-assisted retroperitoneal approach, with discectomy and fusion using an anterior impacted cage filled with autologous cancellous bone from the iliac crest and an anterior fixation with a triangular plate (Pyramid, Medtronic, Memphis). The follow up at 3, 6, 12, and 24 months was done with clinical and radiologic evaluation. In case of problem a computed tomography scan was performed. RESULTS: There were 11 women and 9 men, with and average age of 39 years old and a BMI of 25.6. All spondylolistheses occurred at level L5. The average slippage was 19%. All L5S1 discs were black, 8 had a Modic I changes in the endplates and 2 had Modic II. The shape of L5 vertebra was abnormal (trapezoidal) in 7 cases. All anterior approaches were performed without vascular, urologic, or digestive complication. Blood loss was inferior to 100 mL. All patients had a soft brace for 8 weeks postoperatively. There was no retrograde ejaculation for the 9 men and no sexual dysfunction reported by the women. One patient had no pain relief and was reoperated for posterior pedicular screw fixation. It was obvious that there was a pseudarthrosis even after the posterior fixation and an anterior transperitoneal revision was performed with the removal of the interbody device and iliac crest bone graft packing alone. A propioni bacterium acnes germ was found responsible for the anterior nonunion. This revision surgery with antibiotics treatment was successful. One of the patients with grade 2 had an additional posterior screw fixation with a minimally invasive pedicle screw system (Sextant, Medtronic, Memphis). Nineteen patients had a good fusion at 2 years follow-up (95%), mean Oswestry score improved from 74% preoperative to 21% postoperative at the last follow-up. Visual analog score (VAS) for back pain improved from 6.5 to 2.7 and VAS for leg pain improved from 6.2 to 3.4. Satisfaction rate was 90%. All active patients except two, were back to work at an average of 5.5 months (6 wk to 1 y). The 2 patients still not working were the nonunion and a work compensation. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this technique compare favorably with posterior stabilization and fusion (posterior lumbar interbody fusion and postero-lateral fusion) reported in the literature. Unlike posterior lumbar interbody fusion, however, it seems that the complication rate due to the approach is much lower, the fusion rate is similar. Grade 2 SPL is the limitation of the technique. The main advantage of the technique is to avoid posterior muscle damage and a quick recovery with no blood loss. Preservation of adjacent level disease can be assessed only after long-term follow-up.     

腰椎神经根冠状位、矢状位和轴位MR扫描定位诊断腰椎椎间孔狭窄症

 目的 探讨腰椎神经根冠状位、矢状位和轴位 MR 扫描定位诊断腰椎椎间孔狭窄症的可行性和有效性。方法回顾性分析 2006 年 6 月至 2011 年 6 月共 21 例腰椎椎间孔狭窄患者的相关资料,男 10 例,女 11 例;年龄 36~65 岁, 平均 45.6 岁。病史 6~36 个月,平均 9.4 个月。5 例表现为腰痛伴单侧下肢痛,16 例为单侧下肢痛。根据腰椎侧位 X 线片测量椎间隙和椎间孔高度并行腰椎神经根冠状位、矢状位和轴位 MR 扫描检查,了解神经根周围组织结构的改变,定位诊断神经根受压部位;并通过手术证实影像学诊断的准确性。结果 21 例患者中 9 例为椎间盘突出导致椎间孔狭窄,12 例为椎间盘弥漫性膨出合并关节突关节增生、肥大导致椎间孔狭窄;21 例均为下腰椎椎间孔横向狭窄,20 例为 L4,5 椎间孔狭窄,造成 L4 神经根受压;1 例为 L5S1 椎间孔狭窄,造成 L5 神经根受压。经手术探查证实与术前定位诊断完全符合,符合率为 100%（21/21）。术后 20 例患者下肢疼痛症状完全缓解,1 例下肢疼痛症状缓解不满意。结论 腰椎神经根冠状位、矢状位和轴位 MRI 扫描方法能准确定位诊断椎间孔狭窄,为确定手术方案提供了准确的影像学依据。     

人工髓核置换术治疗腰椎间盘突出症的临床初步报告

目的 介绍人工髓核置换术治疗腰椎间盘突出症的手术方法并评价其近期临床疗效。方法 自2002年3～4月采用人工髓核置换术治疗腰椎间盘突出症患者9例，男6例，女3例；年龄22～48岁，平均33.4岁；病史8个月～3．6年，平均18.4个月。均为单间隙病变，以单纯腰痛为主者2例，腰痛伴一侧下肢放射痛或双侧下肢放射痛以一侧为主者7例。手术节段为L4.5 6例，LsS1 3例；后侧入路8例，经腹膜后侧前方入路1例。随访12～13个月．平均12.3个月。根据症状改善情况和影像学资料评价手术效果。结果 手术时间45～120min，平均60min；术中出血50～150ml，平均120ml。术后4～5d戴腰围下地活动，术后6周去腰围恢复正常活动。根据Oswestry下腰痛和功能不利评分,临床成功率88.9％；复查X线片示术后和术前椎间隙高度百分比为128％。1例患者术后腰痛缓解不明显，第4d出现健侧下肢放射痛，经卧床、脱水治疗后缓解。2例随访时摄正侧位X线片示植入物轻度移位，未见腰椎生理弧度异常改变．腰椎活动度正常。未见植入髓核脱出、感染等并发症。结论 人工髓核置换术在改善症状的同时能够增加椎间高度，维持腰椎的正常运动功能，近期临床疗效满意。     

手术治疗腰椎间盘突出症的长期疗效及其影响因素

目的:评估腰椎间盘突出症手术治疗的长期疗效,探讨影响手术长期疗效的相关因素。方法:回顾性分析1996年2月～2002年12月在我院采用单纯开窗减压髓核摘除术治疗的125例单节段腰椎间盘突出症患者,记录患者性别、年龄、体重指数(body mass index,BMI)、病程、临床表现、体征、手术减压时椎间盘的突出类型和末次随访时复发性椎间盘突出症的例数。分别记录术前和末次随访时Oswestry伤残指数(Oswestry Disability Index,ODI)及腰痛/下肢根性痛的视觉模拟评分(visual analog scale,VAS)。根据Stauffer-Coventry′s(SC)疗效评定标准评价患者总体疗效。单因素分析患者术前与末次随访时的VAS以及ODI。患者总体疗效作为结果变量,单因素分析年龄、性别、BMI、吸烟、腰扭伤史、病程、术前腰痛VAS评分、术前下肢痛VAS评分、术前ODI、直腿抬高试验(straight-leg raise test,SLR)、肌力、感觉、椎间盘突出节段和类型等14项指标与疗效的关系。用非条件Logistic全回归分析和逐步回归分析来研究结果变量与术前各种指标的关系。结果:随访84～123个月,平均109个月,患者总体疗效优占32%,良占35.2%,可占23.2%,差占9.6%,复发率为8%。术前ODI为(72.23±25.72)%,末次随访时为(15.64±17.52)%,与术前比较有显著性差异(P<0.05)。腰痛VAS评分术前为5.44±3.43分,末次随访时为2.12±2.32分;下肢痛VAS评分术前为7.34±3.72分,末次随访时为1.42±2.74分;末次随访时与术前比较均有显著性差异(P<0.05)。全回归分析发现腰扭伤史、感觉减退是总体疗效不佳的相关因素,而非包含型突出类型是总体疗效佳的相关因素。逐步回归分析发现有4个有统计学意义的相关因素,其比值比(OR)及95%可信区间分别为:腰扭伤史(OR=6.50;95%CI 2.21-19.10)、吸烟(OR=4.48;95%CI 1.51-13.34)、感觉(OR=9.01;95%CI 1.75-46.46)、突出类型(OR=0.027;95%CI 0.005-0.145)。结论:手术治疗可以明显改善腰椎间盘突出症患者的腰痛、下肢痛和ODI。腰扭伤史、吸烟史、术前感觉和突出类型是影响腰椎间盘突出症手术长期疗效的相关因素。     

Six months post-operative clinical and 24 hour post-operative MRI examinations after nucleoplasty with radiofrequency energy

Summary Background. Minimally invasive techniques are gaining popularity for the treatment of discogenic low-back pain. Nucleoplasty is a relatively new procedure that uses radiofrequency energy to disintegrate and evacuate the disc material. The purpose of this study is to examine the early post-operative radiological changes after lumbar nucleoplasty and to assess the short-term effects of this procedure on discogenic lower back pain and leg pain. Methods. Twenty nine patients between the ages of 32 and 59 years (mean 44.14, SD 7.11 years) were included in the study. Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) scores of the patients were recorded in the pre-operative period and 24 hours, 3 months and 6 months after the procedure. Additionally, pre-operative and post-operative lumbar magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) examinations of these patients were compared. Findings. The mean pre-operative VAS score was 6.95 (range 3.0–10.0, SD 1.87) and the mean post-operative VAS scores at 24 hours, 3 months and 6 months were 2.46 (range 0–8.0, SD 2.07), 4.0 (range 0–10.0, SD 3.09) and 4.53 (range 0–10.0, SD 3.6), respectively. There were statistically significant reductions (p < 0.001) in VAS scores for all post-operative time points when compared to pre-operative values. Nucleoplasty did not produce obvious changes at least on the early post-operative MRI examination. Conclusions. Although, nucleoplasty appeared to be a safe minimally invasive procedure, the value of this new technique for the treatment of discogenic low-back pain remains as yet unproven. Further randomised placebo-controlled studies with longer follow-up are needed to elucidate the effects of nucleoplasty on discogenic low back and leg pain.