How does intradiscal electrothermal therapy (IDET) work?

Intradiscal electrothermal therapy (IDET) is focused on treating chronic discogenic pain by utilizing heat generated through electrical currents. Specifically, the procedure involves the insertion of a catheter into the affected spinal disc, where an electrical current is applied to heat the disc tissue. This heating process serves to coagulate and change the structure of the disc's inner substance, effectively targeting pain receptors and nerve endings, which can help alleviate pain for the patient.

The effectiveness of IDET lies in its ability to specifically address the painful areas within the disc space without requiring invasive surgical procedures, such as removing disc material or injecting steroids. By specifically heating the tissue, IDET not only helps to destroy or inhibit the function of pain receptors but also promotes healing by stimulating the surrounding area, providing a therapeutic effect targeted at the source of pain.