Introduction: This study aimed to analyze the clinical results of chemonucleolysis with condoliase for lumbar disc herniation (LDH).

Methods: We retrospectively evaluated the first 100 patients who underwent condoliase injection for LDH from August 2018 to September 2021. In total, 76 males and 24 females (mean age 36.3 years (15-62) ) were included. Visual analog scale (VAS) scores for back pain, leg pain and leg numbness, complications, surgical conversion, recurrence, changes in disc height and herniation size were evaluated.

Results: The mean VAS score was considerably improved from baseline to 3 month after the injection. Skin rashes were observed in three patients, one patient complained low back and leg pain immediately after the injection. No severe adverse complications were reported. Eight patients underwent surgery. There were two cases of recurrence of herniation at the follow-up period. The mean disc height decreased at 3 weeks after the injection; however, no considerable decrease at 3 months and thereafter was observed. On Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI), 58 patients showed a reduction in disc herniations size.

Conclusions: We reported clinical results of condoliase for LDH in first 100 cases. Chemonucleolysis with condoliase is a safe and significantly improved symptoms.