
BACK PAIN CONDITIONS

	Ankylosing Spondylitis Cauda Equina Syndrome Cervical Herniated Disc Cervical Spinal Stenosis Cervical Stenosis with Myelopathy Coccydynia Degenerative Disc Disease Fibromyalgia Low Back Pain Causes Lumbar Herniated Disc Lumbar Spinal Stenosis Myofascial Pain/Muscle Irritation Osteoarthritis Pirformis Syndrome Sacral Fracture Sacroiliac Joint Dysfunction Sciatica Spinal Fracture Spinal Tumors Spondylolithesis Upper Back Pain Causes Whiplash
INJECTIONS FOR BACK PAIN

	Atlanto-Occipital Joint Injections Cervical Steroid Injections Discogram/Discography Epidural Steroid Injections Facet Joint Injections Facet Joint Injection FAQ Hip Joint Injections Lumbar Steroid Injections Medial Branch Block Medial Branch Block FAQ Radiofrequency Neurotomy Sacroiliac Joint Injections Selective Nerve Root Block (SNRB) Steroid Injection FAQ
SURGICAL PROCEDURES

	Cervical Spinal Fusion Coccygectomy Discectomy Electrothermal Decompression Facet Rhizotomy Fusion Surgery Recovery Intradiscal Electrothermal Annuloplasty Lumbar Spinal Fusion Spinal Disc Replacement
ANATOMY OF THE BACK

	Cervical Anatomy (Neck) Thoracic Anatomy (Mid Back) Lumbar Anatomy (Low Back) Sacrum Anatomy (Tailbone)
PATIENT RESOURCES

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Electrothermal Decompression (EDD)

Electrothermal disc decompression (EDD) is the latest breakthrough in nonsurgical technology. This procedure helps to alleviate the daily pain and suffering caused by debilitating conditions such as back pain, sciatica, herniated or bulging disc and degenerative disc disease.

EDD uses a spinal needle to guide a decompression heating wire into your disc. Once the position of the catheter is confirmed using an X-ray, the disc is then heated for a short period of time, as specified by your doctor. You will be discharged once the catheter and needle are removed from your spine.

A heating element is used to modify the protein wall of the disc and reduces the amount of disc material that causes nerve irritation. The procedure involves a special wire (decompression heating element) which is guided into your disc through a spinal needle. An x-ray is used to confirm the catheter placement in the disc.

The disc is heated for a short period of time determined by the physician. The catheter and needle are removed, and you will be discharged home with specific instructions.

Intradiscal electrothermal therapy delivers targeted thermal energy designed to shrink collagen fibrils, cauterize granulation tissue, and coagulate nerve tissue in the posterior annulus fibrosus. Intradiscal electrothermal coagulation requires using a needle to thread a flexible heating electrode into the disc, such that the electrode passes circumferentially around the inner surface of the disc.

Direct application of thermal energy to the intervertebral disc is thought to reduce discogenic pain either by thermal coagulation of the nerves or by increasing the stability of the disc.

The protein wall of the disc is modified using a heating element, causing a reduction in the size of the disc material. This reduction releases the pressure placed on certain irritated nerves that trigger constant pain. According to the American Spinal Decompression Association, patients who undergo this procedure have a 70% chance of resuming a normal lifestyle.