Percutaneous Laser Disc Decompression and Nucleotomy (PLDN) Precise placement of a laser onto substances within the disc that are first activated by the light so that they can begin to take effect.
Dr. Schneiderhan has been able to further develop the classic disc laser therapy into the micro laser treatment which has already been adopted by numerous foreign and domestic centers. Although only in Dr. Schneiderhan's clinic have several thousand patients been treated in the meantime. The principle: the high-energy light of a modern diode laser is projected over a particularly thin micro-needle onto substances within the disc that react to and are activated by the light, so that they can begin to take effect. The micro laser therapy by Dr. Schneiderhan also allows treatment in particularly narrow and difficult to reach areas of discs in the cervical and thoracic regions. This leads to four therapeutic effects:
1.) Reduction of the nucleus pulposus and anulus fibrosis with the corresponding parts of the disc (shrinking effect). Already minor reductions in the tissue affecting the nerve root during the laser procedure often lead to spontaneous reduction of radicle (radiating) pain. The "ischia pain" is eliminated.
2.) Shutting down of pain-sensitive nerve structures (nerve fibers) or denervation of the pain receptors of the anulus fibrosis and the spinal column's nerve-conducting rear ligament.
3.) Through the heating of disc tissue (heating effect) with the aid of a laser, the production sites of the nerve-conducting substances (L-glutamate, substance-P, peptide, and chinine) are destroyed, and so the conduction of pain signals to the brain is interrupted. In this manner, most chronic pain is eliminated.
4.) Through the laser procedure in the disc, the collage tissue of the fiber ring is transformed, and small disc tears are closed and stabilized. A compression of intervertebral space and the danger of post-nucleotomy syndrome (pain caused by post-operative disc compression) are hindered.
Indication
- protruding or herniated intervertebral disc
- post-nucleotomy syndrome (pain following disc surgery)
- disc pain, that can be caused by discography (x-ray with contrast medium for disc diagnosis)
- disc pain, that can be reduced from intra-disc injection (by means of a fine needle in the disc) of a local anesthetic
More links on this topic:
Visit our forum on back pain and spine related questions and search for: Treatment of discs using laser
Hope for patients with a herniated disc? Download your complete Book on back pain
Continue reading ... Features and benefits
