Who may benefit from an IDET procedure?
The IDET procedure is designed to treat only specific types of pain coming from a lumbar disc. Individual who are candidates for IDET include those with small disc herniations, internal disc tears, and degenerative disc disease in which the disc is not too narrowed. In addition to history and physical examination, your physician will require that you have a Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) or injections of dye into the disc (discography) to confirm a diagnosis. How is the procedure performed? An IV will be placed in your arm and you will be given a light sedative. After you are in position on the procedure table, your doctor will take x-rays to identify the proper disc level(s). Your lower back skin and muscle will be numbed with local anesthetic. An introducer needle is then placed into your disc under x-ray guidance. The SpineCath catheter is placed through the needle and into the disc. Once in appropriate position, the temperature of the heating section of the catheter will be gradu
