Nucleoplasty for neck-related nerve pain remains uncertain
A review found possible short-term pain relief versus conservative care, but weak evidence for function, other comparisons and harms.
Based on the published abstract. The full paper may contain additional methods, results and limitations.
The 30-second takeaway
Nucleoplasty may reduce short-term pain more than conservative treatment, but that finding comes from evidence rated as low certainty. The review did not establish a clear advantage for neck-related function or quality of life. Evidence against other procedures was also uncertain, and the authors considered the overall evidence insufficient to support its use.
Every included trial had a high overall risk of bias. No placebo or no-treatment trial was found, and the evidence was limited by imprecision and, for some comparisons, indirectness.
What researchers found
Mean difference in pain change
At up to 3 months, nucleoplasty versus conservative care; pain scale 0–100, with lower scores indicating less pain. Evidence certainty was low.
What the procedure targets
Nucleoplasty removes small amounts of material from inside a herniated disc to reduce nerve pressure. The review examined whether this translated into less pain, better function and recovery, while also assessing adverse events.
Pain relief leaves other questions
Comparisons with pulsed radiofrequency and disc-removal surgery did not establish reliable advantages across outcomes. Although no serious complications were reported, the small, uncertain evidence base does not settle the risk of adverse effects.
The original publication
Nucleoplasty for cervical radicular pain due to disc herniation.
de Rooij JD, Verhagen AP, Harhangi BS et al.
Cochrane Database Syst Rev · 2025
- PubMed ID
- 41293993
- Record checked
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