What are the alternatives to spinal fusion?
There are alternatives to spine fusion surgery that may be considered for patients with low back pain from lumbar degenerative disc disease. Currently, the main fusion alternatives include: Intradiscal electrothermal coagulation (IDET): IDET is a minimally invasive procedure, which uses a needle to pass a heated catheter into the lumbar disc space, heating up the annulus (the outer core of the disc space) in an attempt to stabilize a painful disc and disable the associated nerve. It is theorized that the heat contracts and thickens collagen fibers in the disc wall, which in turn seals up painful tears and cracks and reduces pain. This procedure will likely become obsolete in the near future after further independent studies are completed. Not all patients benefit from IDET, and the treatment is more likely to help people with less severe degenerative disc disease that people with significant disc degeneration. Artificial discs: Disc replacement surgery involves replacing the painful di
