[Controlled observation on catgut implantation at acupoint for treatment of prolapse of lumbar intervertebral disc].

OBJECTIVE: To compare therapeutic effects of catgut implantation at acupoint and routine acupuncture on prolapse of lumbar intervertebral disc. METHODS: One hundred and forty cases were randomly divided into a treatment group and a control group, 70 cases in each group. The treatment group were treated with catgut implantation at acupoint, once each week, 3 sessions constituting one course, and the control group with routine acupuncture, once every other day, 10 sessions constituting one course. RESULTS: The effective rate was 95.6% after treatment of one course and 88.2% 3 months later in the treatment group, which were better than 84.6% and 72.3% in the control group, respectively (Both P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Catgut implantation at acupoint has a better therapeutic effect on prolapse of lumbar intervertebral disc, with lower cost.