The Course of Treatment

1. First appointment and preliminary examination
During our first appointment we will inform you in detail about both the course of treatment and possible risks. Furthermore, we will carry out a physical examination.

Please do not forget to bring along your medical documents and diagnostics providing information about your backache. Here are some examples:

• computerized tomograms (CT scans) or magnetic resonance tomographies (NMRI) and all corresponding written diagnostics
• medical reports
• surgical reports
• letters concerning your rehabilitation programmes
• list of medical preparations you are currently taking
• letters about other serious pre-existing medical conditions

We will inform you which other examinations are required. Usually, we require the following paramenters before your treatment:

• current laboratory findings (Quick’s value / INR, PTT, electrolytes, small blood count, incl. thrombocytes
• ECG

Important: In good time before the treatment starts, you must stop taking any medicinal preparations that may impair the coagulation of blood. Please consult us in this matter.

2. Process of treatment
After careful preliminary examination and information on the treatment, we will implant a so-called “epidural catheter” under local anesthesia and sterile conditions. An epidural catheter is an extremely thin and flexible tube that allows the injection of medical preparations. Routinely, this method of treatment is for example used in obstetrics for the elimination of pain during childbirth (EPA).

The catheter is placed precisely at the site of the intervertebral disc dislocation or the constriction of the vertebral canal with the aid of an ultrasonic device. It is not necessary to remove tissue. After having fixed the catheter and having applied the bandage, a special mixture of a hypertonic 10% sodium chloride (NaCl) solution, a local anesthetic and a cortisone preparation is injected into the catheter.

As a rule, four days are needed for an epidural hypertonic NaCl therapy. The catheter remains in place during this time. The medicinal preparations are injected via this catheter once a day. In most cases, a significant improvement of the symptoms is diagnosable after the first treatment.

Despite the EPA catheter, hardly any restrictions are noticeable during the treatment: however, you should not take a bath or a shower during this time. You can do all your usual daily activities without any problems. Normally, you do not suffer from a restriction of movement.

You should undergo a physiotherapeutical follow-up therapy after the treatment.

3. Risks and complications
Thanks to the high standards during the preparation and performance of the treatment serious complications occur only very seldom. However, an epidural hypertonic NaCl therapy has its possible risks just as any other medical method.

These include circulatory disorders such as a fall in blood pressure, pain in the head, allergic reactions and temporary disorders of voiding the bladder. In extremely rare cases complications may occur such as infections of the epidural catheter, bleedings into the epidural space or injuries of a nerve. Genetic or acquired blood-clotting disorders and certain neurological disorders may constitute contra-indications for this treatment.

During our first appointment we will inform you in detail about all possible complications and will attend to all your questions.

Further information can be found:

Epidural Hypertonic NaCl Therapy - more information

Epidural Hypertonic NaCl Therapy - minor surgery, big effect