Intradiscal Electrothermal Annuloplasty

IDET (Intradiscal Electrothermal Annuloplasty) is an invasive medical treatment for small annular tears of the disc. A relatively new procedure, it is typically recommended only after aggressive non-invasive techniques have failed.

The treatment involves the insertion of a hollow needle in the affected disc. A heating wire passed through the needle into the disc is heated to 90 degrees Celsius for approximately fifteen minutes. The heat is intended to seal any ruptures in the disc wall and may also burn nerve endings, which can make the area less sensitive to pain.