ArthroCare publishes positive trial data for Plasma Disc Decompression

ArthroCare has reported new clinical data for its Plasma Disc Decompression (PDD) range which demonstrate the products’ pain-relieving quality.

The study, which was published in the Journal of Neurosurgery: Spine, involved 90 patients suffering from lower back pain associated with contained herniated discs who had proven resistant to other means of care.

It was found that users of ArthroCare’s PDD surgical devices were able to experience reduced levels of pain and an improved quality of life compared to those treated with epidural steroid injections.

In addition, the majority of patients in the PDD group did not need to have a secondary procedure after a two-year follow-up period.

Dr Peter Gerszten of the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, the study’s principal investigator, said: “This study provides evidence that patients with lower back pain associated with a contained disc herniation achieve better outcomes with Plasma Disc Decompression as compared to conventional treatment with epidural steroid injections.”

Earlier this month, the company published its 2009 financial results, reporting an operating loss for the full year period despite a strong fourth quarter.