Review article

Minimally invasive procedures in treatment of low back and radicular pain

Karlo Houra ; Specijalna bolnica za ortopediju, kirurgiju, neurologiju, fizikalnu medicinu i rehabilitaciju “Sveta Katarina”, Zabok
Darko Perović ; Specijalna bolnica za ortopediju, kirurgiju, neurologiju, fizikalnu medicinu i rehabilitaciju “Sveta Katarina”, Zabok
Andrej Radić ; Specijalna bolnica za ortopediju, kirurgiju, neurologiju, fizikalnu medicinu i rehabilitaciju “Sveta Katarina”, Zabok
Dubravka Bartolek Hamp ; Specijalna bolnica za ortopediju, kirurgiju, neurologiju, fizikalnu medicinu i rehabilitaciju “Sveta Katarina”, Zabok
Duje Vukas ; Klinika za neurokirurgiju, KBC Rijeka, Rijeka
Darko Ledić ; Klinika za neurokirurgiju, KBC Rijeka, Rijeka

Abstract

Low back and radicular pain make a significant health concern in our days. Expenses for this kind of surgery are often very high. Furthermore, these two conditions are also one of the leading, medically related, causes for missed work. Minimally invasive treatment of low back and radicular pain involves detailed knowledge of the anatomy of the lumbar spine and the nerve structures, as well as handling with C-arm. Degenerative changes in the intervertebral disc, changes in the zygapophyseal (facet) joints, damaged sacroiliac joint or disc herniation can all cause low back pain. Each minimally invasive diagnostic procedure, with which we confirm the exact cause of low back pain or radicular pain, consequently predisposes patients for minimally invasive therapeutic intervention. When low back pain is caused by degenerative changes in the intervertebral disc, the patient is recommended a method of annuloplasty. If the pain in the lumbar spine is caused by degenerative changes of facet joints or changes in SI joint, patient can be offered radiofrequent neuroablative procedures. In cases where the low back and radicular pain are caused by spinal stenosis patients are advised epidural steroid injections or percutaneous laser disc decompression. The purpose of these procedures, with the use of long-acting corticosteroids and short-acting local anesthetic, together with the use of radio frequent or laser energy is to relieve the patients from their pain. This way we improve their quality of life and, at the same time, prevent or at least postpone major surgery.

Keywords

low back pain; radicular pain; treatment

Hrčak ID:

86937

URI

https://hrcak.srce.hr/86937

Publication date:

3.9.2012.

Article data in other languages: croatian

Visits: 5.092 *