Intervertebral Disc Treatments

Intervertebral Disc Treatments

Intradiscal Radiofrequency, Nucleoplasty, Ozone Dyscolysis, Laser Discectomy.

Intervertebral Disc Treatments

Intradiscal Radiofrequency, Nucleoplasty, Ozone Dyscolysis, Laser Discectomy.

Intradiscal treatment with radiofrequency

Conventional radiofrequency is a form of oscillation at a special frequency that is transmitted by an electrical circuit. When the radiofrequency is transferred to a tissue it causes the elevation of its temperature. This is achieved by coagulating or injuring certain anatomical areas whose function we wish to block, such as sensitive nerves.

In other areas of medicine it has been used successfully, for example in interventional cardiology for the treatment of certain types of arrhythmias, and in oncology for the destruction of certain types of tumors.

Nowadays, sophisticated technology is available by means of which we can control the elevation of temperature and other parameters, achieving maximum precision when performing radiofrequency treatments.

Radiofrequency nucleoplasty is a minimally invasive treatment, which is indicated for patients with lumbar, dorsal or cervical pain caused by intervertebral discs. It is performed under intravenous sedation and local anesthesia. It is completely percutaneous (no surgical incision is required). It consists of the introduction of one or two cannulas into the intervertebral disc, under radiological guidance. Once the cannulas have been placed in the area causing the pain, local anesthesia is administered and radiofrequency is transmitted by an electrical circuit. The temperature is raised to between 75 and 84ºC, and maintained for several minutes. During the procedure the patient does not feel pain, since the region to be treated is anesthetized. When the estimated radiofrequency time is over, an antibiotic is injected and the cannulas are removed. More than one disc can be treated on the same day. In some patients ozone is injected before the cannulas are removed.

The patient must wear a semi-rigid lumbar orthosis (brace) for a few weeks, or a cervical collar if the disc or discs treated are cervical. In the course of a few weeks changes can be observed with improvement of pain, due to the healing of the disc lesions by the radiofrequency, and to the reduction of the size of the disc herniations or protrusions. Optimal results usually take about three months.

The administration of ozone at therapeutic doses has various effects on the organism, among which are its anti-inflammatory, antibacterial disinfectant and antiviral effects. It has been used for years in various applications in medicine, and high-precision ozone dispensing machines are now available.

Ozone discolysis, also called intradiscal ozone therapy, consists of the injection of ozone gas into the intervertebral disc, either at lumbar, dorsal or cervical level. It is indicated for the treatment of pain caused by degeneration, fissuring or rupture of one or more intervertebral discs, or for the treatment of herniated discs.

The procedure can be ambulatory and is performed under intravenous sedation and local anesthesia. It is performed by inserting a cannula inside the intervertebral disc to be treated, guided by radioscopic imaging. Once the cannula is placed inside the disc, a contrast material is injected to show the existing lesions in the disc (diagnostic discography). Subsequently, a predetermined amount of ozone gas is injected. Before removing the cannula, an antibiotic is injected to prevent possible infection.

The administration of ozone has no side effects, and may only be contraindicated in cases of hyperthyroidism and favism.

Coblation nucleoplasty uses cold radiofrequency thanks to a sophisticated cooling system that maintains the temperature somewhat below a predetermined limit. In this way, radiofrequency treatments can be performed for a longer period of time, as well as enlarging the treated area, obtaining very good results without the need to move the cannulas.

It is used in the treatment of herniated discs or lumbar pain caused by degenerative problems or lesions in the intervertebral discs.

Like conventional radiofrequency, this technique is performed only with intravenous sedation and local anesthesia. The surgeon controls the position of the cannula at all times thanks to the radioscopic image.

Laser discectomy or laser decompression is a percutaneous technique (by means of a puncture and without the need for a surgical incision) for the treatment of herniated discs. Its use can achieve good results and thus avoid open surgery.

It consists of the insertion of a special cannula, by means of radioscopic image guidance, inside the herniated intervertebral disc. The objective is to vaporize a small portion of the nucleus pulposus of an intervertebral disc.

This is achieved by decreasing the volume of the disc as well as the intradiscal pressure, and creating a small cavity that allows the herniation to recede back into the disc, thus ceasing to compress the nerve and therefore ceasing the pain. A small change in disc volume can exert large changes in the disc.

It is a percutaneous technique (no surgical incision is required), which can be performed on an outpatient basis, and for which general anesthesia is not required: it is performed under sedation and local anesthesia.

Intervencionismo del Dolor Clínica Vertebra Barcelona Madrid

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Patient Reviews

After months of intense pain in my back and leg due to a hernia, and after being full of medications and rehabilitation sessions, finally a friend recommended this clinic and I was absolutely right. They visited me very quickly and Dr Ruiz performed a radiofrequency intervention that has solved the problem, it no longer hurts and I have regained my quality of life, which I had lost. I only have words of gratitude

Pedro L., See original review on Google

I had a rhizolysis two years ago and it is the best decision I ever made. I was advised to go to this clinic. Excellent staff and treatment. I would come back without hesitation. I am a different person since I don’t feel any pain.

Pepy A., See original review on Google

In a frankly desperate situation with my mother suffering from trigeminal neuralgia and with continuous and terrible pain during confinement and no public health doctor able to relieve her pain in any way, it was miraculous to find this center by surfing the internet. In just a couple of weeks after the initial visit, Dr. Ruiz operated on my mother in an outpatient and non-aggressive surgery and in just a few days she regained speech, mobility and finally began to sleep as she no longer suffered the tremendous pain. And if the treatment has been effective thanks to the hands of a great doctor, this does not mean that the whole team at the center is not deserving of credit. From the reception to the nurses, they are all exemplary professionals who make you feel safe and in good hands at all times. My mother is already another and just 4 months later we are aware that there is no better investment than health and Clínica Vértebra is a success. Totally recommendable. THANKS A MILLION.

icono pacientes 3Alicia R., See original review on Google

It has been a long time since I felt what it was like to live without pain. I only have words of gratitude for the whole team, from the reception staff to the operating room team. Thank you Dr. Squarcia for such a detailed explanation of my problem and for the accuracy of the treatment. I pray to God that this wellness lasts for a long time.

icono pacientes 4Alicia G., See original review on Google

I had a lumbar facet denervation (Rhizolysis) this morning and I have to say that «O» pain. It has been 10 hours since the intervention and I am still without any pain and without medication. Congratulations to the whole team. Viggo Adeler (Physician)

icono Viggo Adeler, See original review on Google

Good treatment and attention, I went with a horse sciatica and they left me like new, I only have words of thanks.

icono pacientes 2Antonio R., See original review on Google

It is a place that has improved my quality of life.

icono Markus O., See original review on Google

I only have words of thanks to Doctors Ricardo Ruiz and Dr. Matias, I have gone to them twice, and I only have words of thanks, they have solved my problem, first of Lumbar vertebrae and the second of a shoulder, and in both cases total success, I have not returned to have any kind of discomfort, I am totally grateful to them, they have changed my life. THANK YOU DOCTORS, you are fantastic.

Juan J., See original review on Google

First visit with Dr. Mattia Squarcia, finally a doctor who listens to me and looks at all my medical tests. I have already had a bad experience with another pain clinic where the doctor did not listen to me and did not even look at a single medical test.

Anabel R., See original review on Google

I have only words of thanks, thank you Doctor Ricardo Ruiz.

Carlos, See original review on Google