Abstract
Objective A prospective longitudinal study with a mean 22 month follow up (range 6–36 months) to assess the outcome of patients with chronic discogenic lumbar back pain who underwent intradiscal electrothermal therapy (IDET).
Method Patients with a discogenic origin of their back pain confirmed by diagnostic imaging and discography and who underwent IDET were included in the study. Discographic reproduction of symptoms with subsequent abolition with local anaesthetic led to inclusion in the study regardless of discogram volume. Outcome was assessed using VAS pain scores, Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) scores, employment status, subjective outcome and pain diagrams.
Results 68 patients were treated with IDET. 51 patients were successfully followed up for a minimum of one year, of whom 31 had at least 2 year follow up. These patients were divided into two groups. Group 1 consisted of 29 patients aged less than 40 with single level disease, no facet joint arthritis, a low volume positive discogram and an organic pain diagram. Their mean VAS scores decreased from 7.52 to 3.84 (p< 0.001). 70% reported a good or excellent outcome with only 30% fair or poor. Group 2 included the remaining 22 patients. Their mean VAS decreased from 7.41 to 6.13 and only 32% reported a good or excellent outcome with 68% fair or poor.
Conclusion We conclude that with very strict selection criteria, IDET can have a successful outcome.
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