IDET
IntraDiscal ElectroThermal Therapy
With age, or due to injury, cracks or fissures may develop in the wall of the intervertebral disc. Filled with small nerve endings and blood vessels, these fissures are a source of debilitating pain for many individuals. The inner disc tissue will frequently herniate into these fissures in the outer region of the disc, causing pain within the disc.
IDET therapy is a minimally invasive treatment in which the physician applies precisely controlled heat to a broad section of the affected disc wall. Heat contracts and thickens the disc material, resulting in contraction or closure of the disc wall fissures and a reduction in the bulge of the inner disk material.
The Procedure
The IDET process takes about an hour to complete and is done as follows:
- The procedure is performed with a local anaesthetic and mild intravenous sedation. You will be awake and alert so that your physician can monitor your condition and comfort level.
- A hollow needle is inserted into the painful lumbar disc space. Needle positioning is monitored and guided by x-ray.
- An electrothermal catheter is then passed through the needle along the back inner wall of the disc.
- The catheter tip is slowly heated to 190 deg. for 15-17 minutes
- The heat contracts and thickens the collagen fibers which make up the disc wall, promoting closure of tears and cracks. Painful nerve endings within these tears are cauterized.
- Once the therapy is completed, the catheter and needle are removed, and you will likely be sent home with a Band-Aid over the needle insertion site.
After the Procedure
The discomfort generated when the disc is heated may take several days to subside, and your physician may prescribe medication. During the disc healing process, from 8 to16 weeks following the procedure, it is very important to treat your discs with care. Your physician may prescribe temporary lumbar support as well as activity and physical rehabilitation guidelines. Patients report that it is during this time that they usually begin to experience relief from their lower back pain symptoms, a reduction or elimination of any medication use, and an increase in their functional abilities.
In a small study of 700 patients, nearly 80% enjoyed reduced pain and greater mobility. Half of those patients taking narcotic pain-killers ended up drug-free.
Important Information About IDET Therapy
IDET therapy, like any surgical procedure, has some risks. Not all patients will find relief for their back pain and relieved symptoms may recur over time. Please consult your physician about the risks and potential complications of IDET therapy. Many additional factors may prevent your physician from recommending IDET therapy for your condition. Such factors may include, but are not limited to, very narrow disc height, severe disc herniation, spinal instability, very advanced stages of disc degeneration, or various general health concerns. Patients should openly discuss treatment expectations with their physician to ensure that IDET is appropriate for their particular condition.
