Chemonucleolysis: a double blind study comparing chemonucleolysis with intra discal hydrocortisone: in the treatment of backache and sciatica

This paper attempts to answer the controversial question, namely, how effective is chemonucleolysis in the treatment of discogenic back pain and sciatica? By using a type of double-blind study, a comparison has been made between 20 patients who were treated with chemonucleolysis and 20 who were treated with intra-discal hydrocortisone. The 2 year post-injection survey by an independent observer, demonstrated that chemonucleolysis produced 9 good, 3 fair, and 8 unimproved results in 20 patients. In contrast, hydrocortisone produced 3 good, 8 fair, and 8 unimproved results in 20 patients - one patient dying from unrelated causes. Although not statistically significant, the data suggest that chemonucleolysis was superior to intra-discal hydrocortisone in this series.