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IDET™

please read to the end of the page as our patients respond better after the procedure than what  ORATEC reports.  See our patient testimonials also.

 

An Introduction To
SpineCATH™
Intradiscal ElectroThermal™ Therapy...

Lower back pain is one of the most common ailments affecting people at some point in their lives. For most people, the pain resolves quickly, perhaps aided by rest, therapeutic exercise, or medication. But for many, the pain is a result of a disc degeneration process that is prolonged, severe, and for which conventional treatment does not provide the needed relief.

 

   Woman w/Child

What is SpineCATH™ IDET™ Therapy?

Fissured Disk With age or due to injury, cracks or fissures may develop in the wall of the intervertebral disc. Filled with small nerve endings and blood vessels, these fissures are a chronic source of pain in many patients. Additionally, the inner disc tissue (nucleus) will frequently bulge (herniate) into these fissures in the outer region of the disc, likewise stimulating pain sensors within the disc.
Herniated DiskSpineCATH IDET therapy is a minimally invasive treatment in which the physician applies controlled levels of thermal energy (heat) to a broad section of the affected disc wall. This heat contracts and thickens the collagen of the disc wall. Therapy may result in contraction or closure of the disc wall fissures and a reduction in the bulge of the inner disk material.

Who May Benefit from SpineCATH™ IDET™ Therapy?

SpineCATH IDET therapy acts exclusively upon the tissues of the disc itself, and should not be expected to relieve symptoms arising from other spinal structures, such as nerve roots or spinal joints. It is therefore very important for your physician to diagnose that the disc is the primary source of your back pain. In addition to a clinical examination, your physician may use Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) or injections of dye into the disc (discography) to confirm the diagnosis. Once satisfied that one or more discs are the primary source of your lower back pain, your physician may recommend SpineCATH IDET therapy.

The Procedure

Needle InsertionSpineCATH IDET™ therapy is usually performed on an outpatient basis. Local anesthesia and mild sedation may be used to reduce discomfort during the procedure. You will be awake and alert so that you can provide important feedback to the physician. With the guidance of x-ray images, your physician will advance a needle into the disc. The SpineCATH catheter will be passed through the needle and into the disc.

SpineCATH™ Once it is in the appropriate position, the temperature of the heating section of the catheter will be gradually increased, raising the disc wall temperature. During the heating protocol, your physician will monitor your condition and comfort level closely. You will most probably feel a reproduction of your usual lower back pain. This is a strong indication that the heat is being applied to the appropriate areas. Once the therapy is completed, the catheter and needle are removed, and you will likely be sent home with a Band-Aid over the needle insertion site.

After the Procedure

The discomfort generated when the disc is heated may take several days to subside, and your physician may prescribe medication. During the disc healing process, up to 12 to16 weeks following the procedure, it is very important to treat your discs with care. Your physician will provide you with activity and physical rehabilitation guidelines. Patients report that it is during this time that they usually begin to experience relief from their lower back pain symptoms, a reduction or elimination of any medication use, and an increase in their functional abilities. Improvements may continue up to six months following the procedure.

Important Information About SpineCATH™ IDET™ Therapy

SpineCATH IDET therapy, like any surgical procedure, has some risks. Not all patients will find relief for their back pain and relieved symptoms may recur over time. Please consult your physician about the risks and potential complications of SpineCATH IDET therapy. Many additional factors may prevent your physician from recommending SpineCATH IDET therapy for your condition. Such factors may include, but are not limited to, very narrow disc height, severe disc herniation, spinal instability, very advanced stages of disc degeneration, or various general health concerns. If SpineCATH IDET therapy is recommended for you, we advise you to openly discuss your treatment expectations with your physician, as he or she is best suited to ensure your expectations are reasonable given your personal condition.

IDET™ Frequently Asked Questions

1. For whom is the SpineCATH® IDET procedure ideal?

The SpineCATH IDET procedure was developed for patients with long term pain originating specifically from one or more lumbar discs. Patients with disc related pain will generally have significant back pain, and do not have the substantial leg pain associated with a disc herniation.

2. Will my insurance cover the procedure?

As with any new medical procedure, some insurance companies are slower to begin reimbursement than others. We have a staff specifically trained to work with doctors to help procure reimbursement for patients.

3. Where was the procedure developed?

The SpineCATH IDET procedure was developed by Drs. Jeffrey and Joel Saal, clinical professors at Stanford University.

4. How many cases have been performed to date?

As of March 2001, over 30,000 procedures have been performed.

5. How much does it cost?

The cost for the IDET procedure varies based upon physicians, states, facilities and procedure complexity. We estimate the average cost of the entire procedure to be approximately.

6. What does IDET stand for?

IntraDiscal ElectroThermal Therapy.

7. How does the IDET procedure work?

As part of the aging process, cracks or fissures may develop in the wall of the disc. Infiltrated by small nerve endings and vessels, these fissures are a chronic source of pain in many patients. Additionally, the inner disc tissue (nucleus) will frequently bulge into these fissures in the outer region of the disc, likewise stimulating pain sensors within the disc. When performing the SpineCATH IDET procedure, the physician applies controlled levels of thermal energy (heat) to a broad section of the affected disc wall. The thermal energy contracts and thickens the collagen of the disc wall . Results of this may include contraction or closure of the disc wall fissures and a reduction in the bulge of the inner disc material.

This information is provided by  ORATEC the company that sells the equipment for the IDET procedure. For more information please go to 

www.oratec.com.

 

The following is one of the testimonials from our patients who have undergone the IDET procedure at the Acute & Chronic  Pain and Spine Center ( ACPSC).  Majority of our patients do not have much pain immediately after procedure.

 

Acute & Chronic Pain Management Center

5211 B  W. 9th Ave.

Amarillo, Texas 79106

(353-6100)

 

Dr. B.J Daneshfar, M.D.

 

  Thank you so much for the care and treatment I have received from you and your staff, from the front desk, nurses, and doctors.

 

  I injured my lower back in January of 2001.  In earlier years of hurting, I had visited my chiropractor and had received relief. However this injury was much more serious and I could not find ease or comfort, being my present chiropractor had a broken arm and could not treat me as before, so I visited a friend whom is also a chiropractor. Again, I could not find needed relief.  I was referred to his son who is a Dr. in a near by town and I was scheduled for an M.R.I. There I discovered I had two ruptured discs. I returned to Amarillo with an appointment to see a surgeon and prepare for the ultimate BACK SURGERY.

  I revisited my original chiropractor to discuss the situation and learn of my options as to treatment.  I did not want to be cut.  He referred me to your office and I am so glad he did.

  When I visited your office, I was treated with concern and care.  Your staff saw the urgency of my injury and found the time to treat me within the hour.

  I did enter with my own M.R.I. charts and x-rays.   That did save some time and I am glad.

We tried the epidural steroid injections which helped ease the pain but did not fix my problem.

  During the visits to properly treat my ruptured discs, you have saved me time, money and pain suffering.

  You informed me that the Intra Discal Electro Thermal Therapy (IDET) was a new and fairly recent type of procedure and you convinced me that it was the procedure for my injury.  You performed the IDET surgery on my lower back on May 2, 2001 with my chiropractor watching with amazement. Immediately after surgery, which only took 1˝ hours, I was fitted with a back support belt, walked from your office and was driven home where I recovered for the next three weeks.  I was instructed to rest for this period of time and was amazed at the results I was experiencing  and the amount of strength I was regaining. I was released from your care on June 20, 2001, only to return in three months for a final check up.

   I want to thank you and your staff again and if you should have the need for my feelings about this procedure or treatment from your staff, just ask.  You have my full approval to show this letter to any potential patients, or insurance companies in hopes it will remove the terrible pain suffered by so many with disc problems. My wish is to have this become a normal  procedure for back injuries.

 

Sincerely,

 

 

John N. Sanders

Amarillo, Texas

 

  

Copyright © 2002 Acute & Chronic Pain and Spine Center
Last modified: 10/12/06