ABSTRACT

Introduction:

Musculoskeletal system diseases are the main cause for a patients’ loss of ability to work. The most commonly seen aspect of these diseases is lumbosacral pathology. Discogenic pain is responsible in some cases. As well as conservative and surgical treatments, intradiscal electrothermal therapy could be an alternative minimally invasive treatment option.

Materials and Methods:

We retrospectively observed 21 patients who were treated using intradiscal electrothermal therapy. They were scored using the Visual Analog Scale before surgery. They were recalled one month later for a follow-up and scored again. The differences between the scores were calculated to assess pain release, and a percentage decrease in pain was found.

Results:

As a result of the one month follow-up, it was found that the patients’ complaints decreased 77.8%, according to the Visual Analog Scale scores.

Conclusion:

Intradiscal electrothermal therapy could be a valid minimally invasive treatment option for patients without surgical indications who see no improvement with conservative treatment options.