HOME HELP FEEDBACK SUBSCRIPTIONS ARCHIVE SEARCH TABLE OF CONTENTS		QUICK SEARCH:   [advanced] Author: Keyword(s): Year:  Vol:  Page:

This Article Full Text Full Text (PDF) Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Services Email this article to a friend Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in PubMed Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Citing Articles Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Wetzel, F. T. Articles by McNally, T. A. Search for Related Content PubMed PubMed Citation Articles by Wetzel, F. T. Articles by McNally, T. A.

Treatment of Chronic Discogenic Low Back Pain With Intradiskal Electrothermal Therapy

Dr. Wetzel is Associate Professor of Surgery, Section of Orthopaedic Surgery and Rehabilitation Medicine and Anesthesia and Critical Care, University of Chicago Spine Center, Chicago, IL. Dr. McNally is Fellow in Spine Surgery, Section of Orthopaedic Surgery and Rehabilitation Medicine, University of Chicago Spine Center.

Reprint requests: Dr. Wetzel, 4646 North Marine Drive, 8 NW, Chicago, IL 60640.

The treatment of chronic, nonradicular, discogenic low back pain remains controversial. The posterior anulus fibrosus appears to be a potential site of origin of the pain, which is mediated by nociceptors in the inner layers of the anulus. Diagnosis requires a thorough history, physical examination, and imaging protocol; provocative diskography is key. Nonsurgical treatment options have been limited to physical therapy and pharmacotherapy. Success rates of spinal fusion range from 39% to 96%. Reported therapeutic success rates of intradiskal electrothermal therapy, a possible intermediate treatment, range from 60% to 80%. Despite this apparent therapeutic effect, however, a more precise quantification of clinical benefits remains to be proved in randomized prospective trials.