RESUMO
OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the efficacy of percutaneous laser and O2-O3 mixture in treating chronic discogenic low back pain. METHODS: There were 48 patients included 32 male and 16 female with the mean age of 43.5 years (range, from 21 to 66 years). The duration of symptoms was more than 6 months, all patients were treated with percutaneous laser and O2-O3 mixture under TV monitoring. RESULTS: Forty-eight patients followed-up showed no severe complications. At 1 week follow up, 8 cases were evaluated as excellent, 28 as good, 8 as fair and 4 as poor by Macnab standard. The excellent and good rate reached 75%. At 3 months follow up, 17 cases were evaluated as excellent, 23 as good, 6 as fair and 2 as poor with the excellent and good rate of 83.3%. At 6 months follow up, 20 cases were evaluated as excellent, 22 as good, 4 as fair and 2 as poor with a total effective rate of 87.5%. At 12 months follow up, 21 cases were evaluated as excellent, 22 as good, 4 as fair and 1 as poor with a total effective rate of 89.6%. CONCLUSION: Combined percutaneous laser and O3-O3 mixture is an effective and safe method in treating discogenic low back pain.