The new miracle method or better to rely on the tried and tested?

You probably know the phrase that “the next sow will be driven through the village”. What is meant by this is that a new hype is created around a certain topic. It is no different in medicine. This is made easier by our changed way of consuming media, in some circles one speaks of headline journalism.

The “Racz catheter” – how good is it really?

An example of this is the “Racz catheter”. This method is often used for pain and problems with the intervertebral disc. For a time, the Racz catheter was touted as almost a miracle cure for pain. There are now many reports that clearly show that there are quite a few risks and side effects involved. Nevertheless, there are still many doctors, naturopaths and therapists who use this method. There have long been much better methods with fewer side effects.

The inventor's idea wasn't bad at all. Instead of cutting and operating, an individually tailored cocktail of drugs is brought to the affected area. Several things should happen. The painkillers contained in the injection should make the sometimes unbearable pain from which some patients suffer disappear very quickly. A tempting prospect. Furthermore, anti-inflammatory agents have their effect and lead to a reduction in inflammation and thus usually to a reduction in swelling of the affected area.

Why the "miracle method" has so many complications

In addition, scarring should be eliminated, adhesions loosened and harmful substances excreted. A success rate of well over 80 percent is sometimes promised. Of course, this is music to the ears of those affected. Unfortunately, that's just the theory. The practice looks a little uglier. Many an experienced spine specialist is supposed to fix what his “colleagues” couldn't do.

The reports of dissatisfied patients sometimes sound really horrible. There are patients who still have major intestinal problems months after the treatment, in some cases there is even talk of impotence. Again and again, the experienced specialists see purulent abscesses that have formed.

Why is that? Above all, it has to do with the fact that this method is advertised as "easy to use" and all kinds of people, from naturopaths to back therapists to "normal" orthopedists, feel compelled to use this method on their patients, unfortunately without the urgent need necessary professional experience. Even the inventor himself had warned of "potentially devastating consequences" if used improperly. No wonder the method is scientifically highly controversial.

Instead of a success rate of more than 80 percent, internal surveys at neurological centers come to the conclusion that complications and sometimes serious complications occur in up to 60 percent of cases. It is often simply underestimated that even a supposedly simple method should only be used by trained specialists with many years of experience. The prospect of relatively high invoice amounts probably clouds some pseudo-experts' minds.

Recognized and low-complication alternatives

There are long recognized and safe alternatives. A safe catheter therapy was developed by the internationally recognized spine experts in the Apex-Spine Spine Center. dr med Michael Schubert, who has over 20 years of experience and will soon be performing his 10,000th endoscopic disc operation, has developed the so-called safe catheter therapy in cooperation with his colleagues, which is used especially for smaller disc prolapses with severe leg and back pain .

He works with a different, very thin and curved needle as well as other and much more individually tailored medications. A thorough and very timely follow-up examination is a matter of course. The Apex-Spine Spine Center has been using this technique very successfully since 2002. The experts recommend consulting specialists with sufficient experience, even for seemingly small or supposedly simple interventions. The Apex Spine Center looks forward to hearing from you.