Alternatives to cervical spine surgery?!

Alternatives to cervical spine surgery?

i'm wondering if anyone's had sucess with alternative, non-invasive treatment for cervical spine injury. evidently, my problem seems to be with the disc between c5 & 6 and I DON'T WANT SURGERY!!! i'd love to hear what has worked for any of you out there. thanx

4 months ago
i had PT for 4 months and after a couple months the pain is back and this morning an ortho suggested surgery

IDET (Intradiscal Electrothermal Annuloplasty)

IDET is usually reserved only for patients who have tried aggressive, non-operative techniques to relieve their pain without success. Because this is a relatively new procedure, you should make sure that the practitioner you see is adequately trained in using the equipment. The procedure itself takes about one hour to complete. A local anesthetic and intravenous pain relievers are used.


The physician uses an X-ray machine (fluoroscope) to see the spinal structures.

A hollow needle is inserted into the painful disc. A thin heating wire (electrothermal catheter) is passed through the needle into the disc, and maneuvered into place around the outer edge of the central nucleus.

The wire is heated slowly to a temperature of about 194 degrees Farenheit (90 degrees Celsius) for about 15 minutes.
Heat can potentially contract and shrink the fibers that make up the disc wall, closing any tears.

The heat can also potentially cauterize (burn) tiny nerve endings in the disc, making them less sensitive to pain.


After the wire and needle are removed, there is a short observation period before the patient is released.