Can intractable discogenic back pain be managed by low-level laser therapy without recourse to operative intervention?

Figures & data

Figure 1 Flowchart of the patient selection process.

Abbreviations: LBP, lower back pain; LLLT, low-level laser therapy; MRI, magnetic resonance imaging; ODI, Oswestry Disability Index.

Figure 2 A patient receiving laser treatment for discogenic back pain.

Table 1 Patient Demographics, Pre- and Post-LLLT ODI Scores

Patient’s Age/Sex	Disc Affected	Pre-Rx ODI (%)	Post-Rx ODI (%)
Male 57	L5/S1	55	15
Female 52	L4/5	50	10
Female 41	L4/5	45	5
Male 46	L5/S1	50	10
Female 38	L5/S1	50	10
Male 39	L4/5	45	5
Male 43	L4/5	55	15
Male 38	L5/S1	45	10
Female 42	L5/S1	55	10
Female 37	L4/5	45	5
Male 46	L4/5	50	10
Female 48	L5/S1	50	15
Male 44	L4/5	55	15
Male 43	L5/S1	45	10
Female 44	L4/5	50	10
Male 41	L5/S1	45	15
Male 44	L5/S1	50	10
Female 39	L5/S1	45	5
Female 47	L5/S1	50	15
Male 41	L4/5	45	5
Male 39	L5/S1	50	5
Female 43	L4/5	50	10
Male 42	L5/S1	55	5
Male 38	L5/S1	45	5
Female 39	L5/S1	50	10
Female 45	L4/5	50	15
Male 40	L4/5	45	5
Male 46	L5/S1	50	15
Male 47	L5/S1	55	10
Female 47	L4/5	50	45
Male 45	L5/S1	45	10
Female 45	L4/5	50	5
Male 48	L5/S1	45	15
Female 49	L5/S1	50	10
Male 50	L5/S1	55	15
Male 45	L4/5	50	5
Male 50	L4/5	45	10
Female 51	L4/5	50	15
Male 46	L5/S1	45	5
Male 45	L5/S1	50	5
Female 49	L5/S1	55	15
Male 48	L4/5	45	10
Female 47	L5/S1	50	10
Male 46	L5/S1	45	5
Male 48	L5/S1	55	15
Female 49	L5/S1	50	10
Male 50	L5/S1	55	15
Male 45	L5/S1	45	5
Female 47	L4/5	55	15
Male 45	L4/5	45	5

Abbreviations: ODI, Oswestry Disability Index; Rx, prescription.