Improvement at 4 weeks predicts that at 12 weeks: The effect of condoliase injection for lumbar disc herniation

Abstract

Introduction: Condoliase reduces the pressure of lumbar disc herniation and ameliorates pain. But the timing of its onset is vague. The purpose of this study was to elucidate and predict the improvement after condoliase injection.

Methods: We conducted a retrospective study using Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) at pre-injection and post-injection (1, 4 and 12 weeks).

Results: A total of 48 patients completed the questionnaire. The results showed an improvements with time. Minimal clinically important differences were achieved in 27% of the patients at week 1, 50% at week 4, and 75% at week 12. The earlier and later improvements were fitted by linear regression and the correlation coefficients were 0.51 in 1-4 weeks, 0.42 in 1-12 weeks, and 0.72 in 4-12 weeks.

Conclusion: we showed that post-injection ODI change is predictable, with the greatest correlation coefficient between 4-12 weeks.