Ozone discolysis is a specialized injection therapy designed to shrink the size of bulging and herniated discs by reducing the mass of the interior nucleus pulposus.
Although this minimally invasive technique has been around for quite some time, the treatment has not gained much in terms of availability or popularity, since it is still highly contested as being effective by most doctors. However, I expect that some form of disc nucleus reduction injection therapy will eventually become far more common in the herniated disc treatment sector. After all, there are many varieties of similar treatments in research development and if any are deemed to be universally successful, the entire disc pain therapy sector will be changed for the better.
This narrative centers on discussing ozone injection therapy for herniated discs.
What is Ozone Discolysis?
This particular type of herniated disc injection is given directly into the herniated or bulging portion of the intervertebral structure, usually under fluoroscopy, for increased accuracy. The ozone and oxygen in the injection forces a chemical reaction with the proteins inside the disc nucleus, reducing the size of the interior of the disc and hopefully eliminating pressure on whatever neurological source is enacting the pain.
This therapy can be used to treat discs which are suspected of enacting central spinal stenosis or those which are causing pinched nerves in the lateral recesses or neuroforaminal spaces.
The procedure is generally well tolerated and has only minimal risks, including infection and the possibility for spinal fluid leak. Of course, the most common complication is simply poor treatment results, as is common with many herniated disc therapies.
Ozone Disc Treatment Controversy
There is much dissent in the back pain industry about the efficacy of discolysis using oxygen and ozone. Most of the noise is being made by surgeons, who may be voicing concern over yet another minimally invasive procedure which is taking the stream out of their economic engine.
However, many doctors simply cite the lack of evidence supporting the use of discolysis, which is acceptable at this point, since research is generally inconclusive as to the extent the treatment may actually help herniated discs to resolve.
The theory behind the therapy is sound, so it makes sense that eventually the right combination of ingredients will allow doctors to decrease the size and severity of bulges using these easily applied injection modalities. This would be a terrific addition to nonsurgical disc care.
Ozone Discolysis Synopsis
For now, discolysis remains out of reach for most patients. Few care providers offer it as a therapy option and few patients have even heard of it. This is going to change, since there are some doctors who are actively working to improve the prospects for nonsurgical herniated disc treatment and injection therapies may be a crucial aspect of this developing sector of care.
In the meantime, if you are interested in this type of noninvasive disc treatment, you might want to learn more about nonsurgical spinal decompression, such as the DRX9000 or AccuSpina systems. These methods are in place right now and can relieve many disc issues fast and permanently without an operation.
Herniated Disc > Herniated Disc Treatments > Ozone Discolysis
