A procedure used in the treatment of herniated disks. In chemonucleolysis, a chemolytic agent, such as the enzyme chymopapain, is injected into a disk to dissolve the nucleus pulposus at the center of the disk. Chemonucleolysis has fallen out of favor because of inconsistent results and side effects.
A method of dissolving a herniated nucleus pulposus, by injecting the enzyme chymopapain into it. This procedure is controversial and is contraindicated for patients with a herniated lumbar disk in which the nucleus pulposus protrudes through the annulus.