Abstract
Percutaneous Nd-YAG laser disc decompression was performed in 56 patients with lumbar disc herniation. Recovery rate of clinical symptoms was 56%in an average according to JOA scores, and effective results was observed in 61%of patients by Henderson's evaluation of functional capacity postoperatively. No significant decrease of disc height was observed on postoperative radiographs of lumbar spine. Changes of signal intensity either disc or cartilaginous end plate were observed in 14 patients on MRI, however no deterioration of clinical symptoms occurred by this changes. Present results showed that laser disc decompression for lumbar disc herniation was an effective and safe method of the treatment.
