Intervertebral Disc Radiofrequency Thermocoagulation
The Evolution of IDET
Approximately 90% of all people can develop lower back pain at some point in their lives, and patients with severe low back pain and dysfunction often face stressful lives and financial difficulties. Despite the highly advanced nature of modern medicine, there is still a lack of simple, effective solutions to these disorders. One of the problems is that “lower back pain” is recognized as a symptom rather than a specific disease. There is a growing awareness that lower back pain can be the result of multiple physical ailments. The challenge is to determine the cause of the pain and to develop specific and effective treatments. This process can be complex and is not easy. Bu Xiaoyu, Department of Pain, Yangwon County People’s Hospital
One thing that is becoming clear is that chronic low back pain is often the result of damage to the intervertebral discs, called “discogenic pain,” often without a herniated nucleus pulposus or ruptured annulus fibrosus. The disc is susceptible to wear and tear damage, and can also be damaged in an accident, resulting in a tear in the outer fibrous ring of the disc and eventually pain. However, we are not quite sure why some people develop painful tears and others do not. It now appears that the pain-causing cause of a damaged disc may be small nerve provocation caused by damage to the outer fibrous ring of the disc or nerve compression or provocation from scar tissue born within the disc. The solution is to strengthen the worn, weak annulus fibrosus and to inactivate the painful small nerves within the disc.
(The disc is a shock-absorbing structure between the vertebrae, consisting of the nucleus pulposus and the annulus fibrosus)