# Clinical Outcomes of Intradiscal Condoliase Injection for Lumbar Disc Herniation: A Retrospective Analysis of the First 100 Cases

## TL;DR

A minimally invasive condoliase injection treatment for lumbar disc herniation showed significant pain reduction in most patients, with few needing surgery.

## Contribution

This study provides real-world clinical outcomes of condoliase injections for LDH in the first 100 patients.

## Key findings

- Leg pain significantly decreased from 7.4 to 2.4 on the VAS within three months.
- 87% of patients experienced symptomatic improvement within four weeks.
- Only 5% of patients required subsequent surgery with no major complications reported.

## Abstract

Background

Intradiscal injection of condoliase is a minimally invasive treatment positioned between conservative management and surgery for lumbar disc herniation (LDH).

Objective

To evaluate the short- to mid-term clinical course and radiological changes following condoliase treatment in routine clinical practice.

Methods

This retrospective observational study analyzed 100 consecutive patients with LDH who underwent intradiscal condoliase injection between December 2018 and July 2023. Clinical outcomes were evaluated using the visual analog scale (VAS). Radiological findings were assessed using established magnetic resonance imaging classifications. Clinical outcomes and subsequent treatments were analyzed.

Results

The median symptom duration was 20 weeks. Mean leg pain VAS significantly improved from 7.4 ± 2.1 at baseline to 3.7 ± 2.4 at one month and 2.4 ± 2.2 at three months (p < 0.05). Symptomatic improvement was observed in 87 patients (87.0%), with a median time to relief of four weeks. Five patients (5.0%) required subsequent surgery. No major complications were observed, including neurological deterioration, infection (discitis), anaphylaxis, hospitalization related to the procedure, or death.

Conclusions

Intradiscal condoliase injection was associated with a significant early reduction in leg pain in the majority of patients with LDH and may serve as an effective intermediate treatment between conservative management and surgery.