What happens during a chemonucleolysis treatment?

Chemonucleolysis is a minimally invasive treatment for herniated discs. It involves injecting a chemical agent (chymopapain) into the affected disc to dissolve the nucleus pulposus, the soft, jelly-like center of the disc. This can help to relieve pain and improve mobility.

Procedure:

1. Preparation: The patient is positioned lying face down on an X-ray table. The injection site is cleaned and numbed with a local anesthetic.

2. Injection: Under X-ray guidance, a thin needle is inserted into the center of the affected disc. The chymopapain solution is then injected into the disc.

3. Monitoring: The patient is monitored closely for any adverse reactions to the injection. They may be asked to move or cough to assess the effectiveness of the injection.

4. Recovery: The patient may experience some pain and discomfort after the injection. They will be given pain medication to help manage this. Most people are able to go home the same day as their chemonucleolysis treatment.

Success:

Chemonucleolysis is a successful treatment for herniated discs in approximately 70-80% of cases. The benefits of the treatment include:

- Relief of pain: Chemonucleolysis can help to relieve the pain caused by a herniated disc.

- Improved mobility: The treatment can help to improve mobility and range of motion in the affected area.

- Minimally invasive: Chemonucleolysis is a minimally invasive procedure, meaning that it does not require surgery.

- No general anesthesia: The procedure is done using a local anesthetic, meaning that the patient is awake and alert during the procedure.

Risks:

Chemonucleolysis is a safe and effective procedure, but there are some potential risks, including:

- Allergic reaction: The patient may have an allergic reaction to the chymopapain solution.

- Infection: The injection site may become infected.

- Nerve damage: The needle may damage a nerve near the injection site.

- Disc rupture: The injection may cause the disc to rupture, which can lead to more severe pain.

- Failed injection: The injection may not be successful in relieving pain.