LLLT using a diode laser in successful treatment of a herniated lumbar/sacral disc, with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) assessment

Tatsuhide Abe. Abe Orthopaedic Clinic Futuoka City Fukuoka Prefecture Japan X12′ A 40- year-old woman presented at the Abe Orthopedic Clinic with a 2-year history of lower hack pain and pain in the left hip and leg diagnosed as a ruptured disc between the 5th lumbar/lst sacral vertebrae. The condition had failed to respond to conventional treatment methods including pelvic traction, nonsteroid anti-inflammatory drugs and aural block anesthetic injections.

MRI scans were made of the affected disc, showing it protruding on the left side through the aural membrane. The gallium aluminum arsenide (GaAlAs) diode laser (830 nm, 60 mW) was used in outpatient therapy and after 7 months, the patient’s condition had dramatically improved demonstrated by motility exercises. This improvement was confirmed by further MRI scans, which showed clearly the normal condition of the previously herniated L5/SI disc.