Does intradiscal electrothermal therapy denervate and repair experimentally induced posterolateral annular tears in an animal model?
Vascular granulation tissue and posterior annular neo-innervation was observed in the experimentally induced posterolateral annular lesion. IDET delivered at 90C in the sheep consistently heated the posterior annulus and the nucleus to a temperature normally associated with coagulation of nociceptors and collagen contraction. IDET did not denervate the posterior annular lesion. Thermal necrosis was observed within the inner annulus and adjacent nucleus from 6 weeks after IDET. The reported benefits from IDET appear to be related to factors other than denervation and repair.
Based on the interview findings, we conclude that a robust measure of disability after breast cancer should be developed. In the absence of a validated measure of the effect of disability, evaluating qualitative responses to questions about everyday activities could provide the impetus for provision of physical therapy and emotional support.