Differences to the treatment according to Prof. Racz (so-called Racz-catheter method)

In 1982, Prof. Gabor Racz, anesthesiologist and pain therapist, USA, developed a minimally invasive method to cure intervertebral disc problems that has been tried and tested millions of times all over the world in the meantime. Dr. Karl Schlarb, anesthesiologist and pain therapist, Germany, modified this method and established the epidural hypertonic NaCl therapy in the 1990s.

The treatment according to Prof. Racz requires the placing of a catheter with a very firm metal-reinforced tip. This catheter is moved forward and upwards via a certain point near the sacrum (sacral hiatus) into the vertebral canal. The puncture point for a Racz-catheter is in the immediate vicinity of the anal region and thus vulnerable to infections.

We use the method of an epidural hypertonic NaCl therapy according to Dr. Schlarb and therefore the epidural space is punctured at the side of the irritated nerve root and thus significantly further away from the anal region. This method significantly reduces the risk of infections and requires no prophylactic administration of an antibiotic preparation. The catheter we use is significantly more flexible. This minimizes the risk of injuring nerves and blood vessels by mistake.

The treatment according to Prof. Racz also requires the injection of the enzyme hyaluronidase. Due to the possible allergenic effects of this substance, we usually forego it.

Further information can be found:

Epidural Hypertonic NaCl Therapy - the Course of Treatment

Epidural Hypertonic NaCl Therapy - minor surgery, big effect