Percutaneous Laser Disc Decompression in the Treatment of Lumbar Radicular Pain

Abstract

Abstract Lumbar radicular pain is defined as pain in the lumbar spine with propagation to the lower extremities. It is a major public health, social and economic problem in the modern society, and is one of the most common reasons for visits to the doctor. Lumbar radicular pain is often the reason for absenteeism and occupational disabilities. It is estimated that about 70-85% of the world’s population have experienced lumbar spine pain once in their lifetime. There are numerous modalities for the treatment of lumbar radicular pain, ranging from pharmacotherapy to surgery. In order to avoid systemic side effects of analgesics, anaesthesia and long-term and extensive surgery, minimally invasive procedures are increasingly used for treating lumbar radicular pain. Percutaneous laser disc decompression (PLDD) is one such procedure, first performed by Dr Choy and Dr Ascher in 1986. PLDD is an outpatient surgery performed under local anaesthesia, its success rate is high and the complication rate is low. This method therefore certainly attracts the attention of clinicians dealing with this issue. (Budrovac D, Rados I, Tot OK, Harsanji Drenjancevic I, Omrcen I. Percutaneous Laser Disc Decompression in the Treatment of Lumbar Radicular Pain. SEEMEDJ 2020; 4(2); 62-68)