What is intradiscal electrothermal therapy?

Intradiscal Electrothermal Therapy
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Intradiscal electrothermal therapy (IDET) for low back pain: Overview

Intradiscal electrothermal therapy (IDET) is a treatment for chronic low back pain. Your doctor may suggest IDET if they think the pain in your back is coming from the disc itself. Your doctor may also suggest IDET if other treatments have not helped. There is no strong evidence that IDET works for most people.

Before an IDET procedure, you are given medicine to help you relax, and you will be numb. A doctor inserts a hollow needle and heating element into the disc. The heat is meant to destroy the nerve fibers that may be causing pain and toughen the disc tissue, sealing any small tears.

Intradiscal electrothermal therapy (IDET)

Intradiscal electrothermal therapy (IDET) is a treatment for chronic low back pain caused by a spinal disc problem. A doctor inserts a hollow needle and heating element into the disc. The heat is meant to destroy nerve fibers that may be causing pain and toughen the disc tissue, sealing any small tears. There is no strong evidence that IDET works for most people.

Intradiscal electrothermal therapy (IDET) for disc-related low back pain

Intradiscal electrothermal therapy (IDET) catheter and heating element placement.

IDET is a treatment for chronic low back pain related to a spinal disc.

A doctor inserts a hollow needle containing a thin, flexible tube (catheter) and heating element into the disc. The heat is meant to destroy the nerve fibers that may be causing pain and toughen the disc tissue, sealing any small tears.

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