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ANALGESIA

The Efficacy of Repeat Intradiscal Electrothermal Therapy

Steven P. Cohen, MD^*, Sean M. Shockey, MD, and Eugene J. Carragee, MD

From the *Pain Management Division, Department of Anesthesiology and Critical Care Medicine, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland; Anesthesia Service, Department of Surgery, Walter Reed Army Medical Center, Washington, DC; and Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Stanford, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA.

Address correspondence and reprint requests to Steven P. Cohen, Johns Hopkins Pain Management Division, 550 North Broadway, Suite 301, Baltimore, MD 21205. Address e-mail to scohen40{at}jhmi.edu.

Abstract

Nine consecutive patients with discogenic low back pain who obtained excellent pain relief from intradiscal electrothermal therapy were treated with a repeat procedure after the beneficial effects had diminished. Although 4 of 9 patients obtained 50% pain relief and were satisfied with the results, both the degree and duration of benefit were less pronounced than after the first procedure. Prospective studies are needed to identify the best candidates for repeat intradiscal electrothermal therapy.