INTRODUCTION

Disc hernia is a medical condition that affects the spine. It occurs when a tear in the outer, fibrous ring (annulus fibrosus) of an intervertebral disc (discus intervertebralis) allows the soft, central portion (nucleus pulposus) to bulge out beyond the damaged outer rings.

MOTHER RUSSIA STATUE (87 metres)

INTRODUCTION

INTRODUCTION

INTRODUCTION Patients with disc hernia present with symptoms such

as back pain, leg pain, or weakness of the lower extremity muscles.

INTRODUCTIONMost common causes include:

Age

Strenuous work

In some cases, from general wear and tear as a result of work that involves constant sitting

For many, treatment is individualized based on patient’s medical history, age, and other factors.

INTRODUCTIONTreatment

Non-Steroidal Anti-inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs)

Narcotics

Nerve pain medications

Cortisone injections

Minimally Invasive Low-intensity laser therapy (MILLT)

Minimally Invasive Low-intensity laser therapy

(MILLT) in treating patients with LBP

Over a period of 5 years minimal invasive low-intensity therapy treatment has been used at FM Clinic, Volgograd on over 4000 patients presenting disc herniation of various sizes, accompanied by back pain.

Minimally Invasive Low-intensity laser therapy (ILLT)

The method of treatment uses the impact of low-intensity laser light through the LED, introduced through a needle at a wavelength of 630 nm placed at an angle of 45-90°.

Minimally Invasive Low-intensity laser therapy (ILLT)

A needle is inserted at a depth of 30 – 35 mm to points located on the spinous processes of vertebrae, which have interverbral disc lesions (protrusions or disc hernias) as revealed by MRI scans.

Treatment is used for 15 minutes, everyday, over a period of 10 days.

METHODOLOGY 600 patients participated in this particular study.

Group A were treated using MILLT.

Group B were given conservative treatment using NSAIDs and recommendations in lifestyle changes

Both groups were observed for the same number of days

METHODOLOGY

Disc herniation

GROUP A Patients treated with

MILLT

GROUP BPatients treated with

NSAIDs

Group A Group B

Number of patients 300 300

Gender 180 males120 females

170 male130 females

Disk hernia level L4-L5 or L5-S1 L4-L5 or L5-S1

Disk hernia size Average size 0.83 mm Average size 0.85 mm

RESULTS

Results of MRI: Group A (MILLT):

•By the 4th or 5th procedure, 76% of the patients treated using MILLT reported significant reduction in pain, tingling or weakness, normalization of sleep and increased range of motion in the affected area of the cervical spine. •24% of the patients reported improvement in later stages (still within the first month of treatment). •After 3 months consistent positive results were seen in 93 – 97% of patients with only 3 – 7% reporting less than satisfactory results. •In carrying out controlled MRI studies of the spine of patients at the same 3 month mark, aside from the achieved positive clinical results, decrease in disc herniation was seen in 85% of patients.

CONCLUSION

MILLT treatment appears to produce longer-lasting effects within a short time span as opposed to other forms of treatment.