Disc hernia occurs when the soft central portion of an intervertebral disc bulges out beyond the damaged outer rings of the disc. Patients present with back pain, leg pain, or lower extremity weakness. Treatment is individualized but may include NSAIDs, narcotics, nerve medications, cortisone injections, or minimally invasive low-intensity laser therapy (MILLT). A study compared MILLT to conservative treatment using NSAIDs in 600 patients over 5 years. Results found that 76% of MILLT patients reported reduced pain within 4-5 treatments, and 85% saw decreased disc herniation on MRI after 3 months, indicating MILLT may produce longer-lasting relief than other treatments.

2. INTRODUCTION
Disc hernia is a medical condition that affects the spine.
It occurs when a tear in the outer, fibrous ring (annulus
fibrosus) of an intervertebral disc (discus
intervertebralis) allows the soft, central portion (nucleus
pulposus) to bulge out beyond the damaged outer rings.

3. MOTHER RUSSIA STATUE (87 metres)

4. INTRODUCTION

5. INTRODUCTION

6. INTRODUCTION
 Patients with disc hernia present with symptoms such
as back pain, leg pain, or weakness of the lower
extremity muscles.

7. INTRODUCTION
Most common causes include:
 Age
 Strenuous work
 In some cases, from general wear and tear as a result of
work that involves constant sitting
For many, treatment is individualized based on patient’s
medical history, age, and other factors.

8. INTRODUCTION
Treatment
 Non-Steroidal Anti-inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs)
 Narcotics
 Nerve pain medications
 Cortisone injections
 Minimally Invasive Low-intensity laser therapy
(MILLT)

9. Minimally Invasive Low-intensity laser therapy
(MILLT) in treating patients with LBP
Over a period of 5 years minimal invasive lowintensity therapy treatment has been used at FM
Clinic, Volgograd on over 4000 patients presenting
disc herniation of various sizes, accompanied by back
pain.

10. Minimally Invasive Low-intensity
laser therapy (ILLT)
The method of treatment uses the impact of lowintensity laser light through the LED, introduced
through a needle at a wavelength of 630 nm placed at an
angle of 45-90°.

11. Minimally Invasive Low-intensity
laser therapy (ILLT)
 A needle is inserted at a depth of 30 – 35 mm to
points located on the spinous processes of vertebrae,
which have interverbral disc lesions (protrusions or disc
hernias) as revealed by MRI scans.
 Treatment is used for 15 minutes, everyday, over a
period of 10 days.

12. METHODOLOGY
 600 patients participated in this particular study.
 Group A were treated using MILLT.
 Group B were given conservative treatment using
NSAIDs and recommendations in lifestyle changes
 Both groups were observed for the same number of
days

13. METHODOLOGY
Disc herniation
GROUP A
Patients treated with
MILLT
GROUP B
Patients treated with
NSAIDs

14. RESULTS
Group A
Group B
Number of patients
300
300
Gender
180 males
120 females
170 male
130 females
Disk hernia level
Disk hernia size
L4-L5 or L5-S1
Average size 0.83 mm
L4-L5 or L5-S1
Average size 0.85 mm

15. Results of MRI:
Group A (MILLT):
•By the 4th or 5th procedure, 76% of the patients treated using MILLT
reported significant reduction in pain, tingling or weakness, normalization
of sleep and increased range of motion in the affected area of the cervical
spine.
•24% of the patients reported improvement in later stages (still within the
first month of treatment).
•After 3 months consistent positive results were seen in 93 – 97% of patients
with only 3 – 7% reporting less than satisfactory results.
•In carrying out controlled MRI studies of the spine of patients at the same 3
month mark, aside from the achieved positive clinical results, decrease in
disc herniation was seen in 85% of patients.

16. CONCLUSION
MILLT treatment appears to
produce longer-lasting effects
within a short time span as
opposed to other forms of
treatment.