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cure back pain

IDET

IDET is also called Intradiscal Electrothermal Therapy or Intradiscal Electrothermal Annuloplasty (IDEA). The procedure is a minimally invasive back surgery and usually performed under local anesthetic. The operation is generally recommended for patients with contained herniated discs, but is not indicated for patients suffering from ruptured discs or annular tears. Intradiscal Electrothermal Therapy is one of the most popular of all modern back surgeries for disc pain syndromes.

IDET


IntraDiscal Electrothermal Therapy Procedure

The area is numbed with local anesthetic and a thin catheter is inserted directly into the affected disc, through a tiny incision. The area is viewed using fluoroscopy (live x-ray). The catheter is heated up slowly, introducing the heat into the nucleus of the disc. The heat breaks down the collagen in the nucleus, causing the disc to shrink to it’s original shape. The procedure takes about one hour and the patient is able to leave the hospital the same day. Most patients are advised to rest for a few days and limit vigorous activity for several weeks.

Recovery From IDET

The patient is advised to avoid sitting and only partake in limited physical activity for a period of about 6 to 8 weeks. The patient can expect full healing in about 4 months on average. The procedure is not always permanent, as the disc can degenerate, herniate again or rupture, requiring additional treatment. However, this procedure does not contraindicate additional more invasive back surgery solutions, should they become necessary.

Recommendation for IDET

I don’t like this procedure as much as nucleoplasty. The surgery is similar, but this procedure is not as precise. Sometimes too much disc material is removed. Other times, not enough disc material is removed. If both procedures are options for treatment, I would recommend nucleoplasty 100% of the time. This procedure, despite its overwhelming popularity, is simply yesterday’s technology…
IDET to Back Pain Home 6/13/06 Revised 7/11/08

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