BACKGROUND: This study evaluated the efficacy of percutaneous nucleoplasty using coblation technique for the treatment of chronic nonspecific @entity1643 ( @entity1643 ), after 5 years of follow-up. METHODS: From September 2004 to November 2006, 172 @entity1 underwent percutaneous nucleoplasty for chronic @entity1643 in our department. Forty-one of these @entity1 were followed up for a mean period of 67 months. Nucleoplasty was performed at L3/4 in 1 @entity1 ; L4/5 in 25 @entity1 ; L5/S1 in 2 @entity1 ; L3/4 and L4/5 in 2 @entity1 ; L4/5 and L5/S1 in 7 @entity1 ; and L3/4, L4/5, and L5/S1 in 4 @entity1 . @entity1 were assessed preoperatively and at 1 week, 1 year, 3 years, and 5 years postoperatively. @entity158 was graded using a 10-cm Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) and the percentage reduction in @entity158 score was calculated at each postoperative time point. The @entity717 Index (ODI) was used to assess disability-related to lumbar spine degeneration, and @entity1 satisfaction was assessed using the modified MacNab criteria. RESULTS: There were significant differences among the preoperative, 1-week postoperative, and 3-year postoperative VAS and ODI scores, but not between the 3- and 5-year postoperative scores. There were no significant differences in age, sex, or preoperative symptoms between @entity1 with effective and ineffective treatment, but there were significant differences in the number of levels treated, Pfirrmann grade of @entity1797 , and provocative discography findings between these two groups. Excellent or good @entity1 satisfaction was achieved in 87.9% of @entity1 after 1 week, 72.4% after 1 year, 67.7% after 3 years, and 63.4% at the last follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: Although previously published short- and medium-term outcomes after percutaneous nucleoplasty appeared to be satisfactory, our long-term follow-up results show a significant decline in @entity1 satisfaction over time. Percutaneous nucleoplasty is a safe and simple technique, with therapeutic effectiveness for the treatment of chronic @entity1643 in selected @entity1 . The technique is minimally invasive and can be used as part of a stepwise treatment plan for chronic @entity1643 .

Percutaneous Nucleoplasty Using Coblation Technique for the Treatment of Chronic Nonspecific Low Back XXXX : 5-year Follow-up Results.

@entity1 :: ('9606', 'Species') :: ['Patients', 'patients', 'patient'] @entity1643 :: ('MESH:D017116', 'Disease') :: ['low back pain', 'LBP'] @entity1797 :: ('MESH:D055959', 'Disease') :: ['intervertebral disc degeneration'] @entity158 :: ('MESH:D010146', 'Disease') :: ['Pain', 'pain'] @entity717 :: ('MESH:D009069', 'Disease') :: ['Oswestry Disability']
@entity158 :: (MESH:D010146,Disease) :: ['Pain']
