Treatment of lumbo-ischialgias of different origins by intradiscal injection of chymopapain (discolysis)

Abstract

An analysis is given of a series of 25 patients suffering from lumboischialgic pain of different causes, which have been treated by discolysis. Literature reports are taken into consideration. As a result of analysis, the following statements seem justified: In no kind of lumbar disc prolapse are the results of discolysis superior to those of modern operative treatment. Discolysis results are indisputably worse in cases with the usual operative indication, which consists of neurological deficit and large disc prolapse. Favourable results by discolysis can be obtained in cases with disc protrusion or small prolapse, but these cases can mostly be cured also by consequent conservative treatment. Contraindications are marked neurological deficit, demonstration of a large disc prolapse by contrast methods, Verbiest's stenosis of the lumbar spinal canal, low back pain and ischialgia without possible proof of a disc protrusion, cases with low back pain as the main or only feature, spondylolisthesis. Disc prolapse recurrences after discolysis often occur about one month afterwards. Structural instability at this stage is likely. Therefore, as with postoperative treatment, it is advisable to avoid major physical stress for the first weeks after discolysis. Major complications after discolysis are possible, and have occurred. Because discolysis offers no real advantages but some shortcomings compared to conservative treatment for disc protrusions, and to operative treatment in real disc prolapses, its justification seems more than questionable.