Chemonucleolysis with disease: Technique, results, case reports

This report details observations made while the author was developing personal experience with a method for intradiscal injections in the lumbar spine using chymopapain, in preparation for participation in a subsequent double blind study. Thirty patients were injected with the enzyme according to a standardized protocol, which included discography. All patients were candidates for surgery for disc displacement. The overall rate of satisfactory symptomatic relief was 70% at an average follow up time of 11 months, and 21 of 30 patients returned to their previous employment.