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MULTIDISCIPLINARY PAIN ABSTRACTS: 39
. Orthopedics (39)
Publication year - 2004
Publication title -
pain practice
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.899
H-Index - 58
eISSN - 1533-2500
pISSN - 1530-7085
DOI - 10.1111/j.1530-7085.2004.4007_39.x
Subject(s) - medicine , clinical trial , multidisciplinary approach , orthopedic surgery , low back pain , spinal fusion , physical therapy , intensive care medicine , surgery , alternative medicine , pathology , social science , sociology
A literature review was conducted to review the anatomy, pathophysiology, diagnosis, procedure, and clinical results of intradiscal electrothermal therapy (IDET). Low back pain is a major physical and socioeconomic entity. A significant percentage of low back pain is attributable to internal disc disruption. The management of internal disc disruption has traditionally been limited to either conservative treatment or spinal fusion. IDET has been performed as an alternative to these therapies. The available literature was reviewed. Scientific data regarding the pathophysiology, biologic effects, and clinical results are relatively scarce. Early biomechanical and histologic investigations into the effects of IDET are conflicting. However, in early prospective human trials, IDET seems to provide some benefit with little risk. It was concluded that IDET is a potentially beneficial treatment for internal disc disruption in carefully selected patients as an alternative to spinal fusion. More basic science and clinical research with long‐term follow‐up evaluation is necessary.