Back Conditions
- Back Conditions A-Z
- Herniated Disc
- Sprains and Strains
- Degenerative Disc Disease
- Spondylolisthesis
- Facet Arthritis
- Spinal Stenosis
- Failed Back Surgery
Back Pain Treatments
Useful Tools
IDET (Intradiscal Electrothermic Therapy)
IDET, or Intradiscal Electrothermic Therapy, is a percutaneous procedure that attempts to treat symptomatic degenerative disc disease. It is not recommended or performed for a herniated disc. The procedure is controversial and has fallen out of favor with most pain doctors and surgeons due to questionable results and inconsistent research findings.
The technique uses a curved catheter and a heated electrical coil to literally cook the outer walls of the disc, theoretically destroying the painful nerve endings believed to be responsible for the pain. There is increased potential for damage to surrounding normal tissue including the adjacent dural sack and spinal nerves due to the high temperature of the coil or improper placement.
Idet can treat the following conditions: