ABSTRACT
Objective To observe the effectiveness of the three-dimensional balanced chiropractic technique in the treatment of lumbar disc herniation (LDH) and analyze predictive factors for resorption of the herniated nucleus pulposus based on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Methods From June 2015 to June 2021, 95 patients with LDH treated with the three-dimensional balanced chiropractic techniquein our hospital were followed up for clinical and MRI data. They were divided into resorption group and non-resorption group based on the nucleus pulposus resorption rate. Multivariable binary logistic regression analysis was performed to determine the association of 12 factors (sex, age, course of disease, etc.)with nucleus pulposus resorption. Results Thirty-two cases (33.7%)were found at follow-up to have nucleus pulposus resorption (resorption rate≥30%). Resorption was most likely to occur in patients with a disease course of less than a year (P < 0.001), type 3 LDH accoding to the Michigan State University (MSU) classification (P = 0.014), leg numbness (P = 0.006), and a L4/5 or L5/S1 disc herniation (P < 0.001). Conclusion MRI can be used as an important tool to observe nucleus pulposus resorption in LDH. A disease course of less than a year, MSU type 3, leg numbness, a L4/5 or L5/S1 disc herniation are associated with a higher possibility of nucleus pulposus resorption, which can be used as indicators predicting the outcome of patients with LDH treated with the three-dimensional balanced chiropractic technique.