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Old 08-04-2010, 01:11 PM
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Keano16 Keano16 is offline
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AFAIK, there are two possibilities with PLDD for annular tears:
1. Classic PLDD like for herniated disc. Needle in center of disc, creating lesion with 1000-1000 J of energy
2. Newer method for annular tears. Needle placed very close to tear itself, maybe in the tear. Also, needle tip is very close to other spinal structures. That is why only 300 J of energy is used in this method.

Not all endoscopic techniques are the same. As far as I know, currently in world there are three different endoscopic techniques for spine disorders - Yeung's, Hoogland's and Knight's.

Yeung's method is intradiscal procedure, so like you say, large hole of 0.5 to 0.7 mm is created in the annulus. This hole is sealed with RF probe just after the discectomy and decompression.

Hoogland's - I am not sure.

Knight's method is something different from booth of this techniques and doctor Martin Knight focuses on the foramen and his technique is called ELF (endoscopic laser foraminoplasty). More information is visible on his website Spinal Foundation - Home
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