Eficacia de la oxigenoterapia hiperbárica en pacientes con trastornos de disco lumbar con radiculopatía tratados en el Hospital Naval de Guayaquil en el periodo 2017 a 2022.

Abstract

The present thesis work focuses on investigating the effectiveness of hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) in patients with lumbar disc disorders and radiculopathy. Lumbar disc herniation and radiculopathy are defined as the protrusion of intervertebral disc material beyond their normal margins and the reduction of motor or sensory strength in a nerve root, respectively. Intervertebral disc degeneration, along with genetic and traumatic factors, are considered the main triggers for disc herniations. This observational, retrospective, and cross-sectional study was conducted on patients treated with HBOT at the Naval Hospital of Guayaquil during the period from 2017 to 2022. A higher prevalence of male patients and a predominant age group of 36 to 64 years were found. The most frequent location of herniations was at the L1-L2 level. Regarding the effectiveness of HBOT, a significant reduction in pain, low back pain, sciatica, and paresthesias was observed. A statistically significant association was found between HBOT and improvement in most of the evaluated symptoms, such as claudication, sphincter dysfunction, and hyporeflexia. However, no significant association was found in the improvement of low back pain and sciatica. It is recommended to explore additional factors that may influence the results, as well as to conduct comparative studies and long-term follow-ups for a more comprehensive understanding of the effects and durability of the therapy.