Summary statement: emerging techniques for treatment of degenerative lumbar disc disease

Spine (Phila Pa 1976). 2003 Aug 1;28(15 Suppl):S24-5. doi: 10.1097/01.BRS.0000076894.33269.19.

Abstract

Emerging techniques for management of degenerative disc disease include modern fusion interbody cage devices, intradiscal electrothermal therapy, and disc prostheses among others. The management of discogenic low back pain is controversial: its accurate diagnosis is difficult, and treatment is inconsistent. Before wide application, the advantages and disadvantages of each procedure must be considered in lieu of inadequate study design and the lack of sufficient long-term outcome studies.

MeSH terms

  • Electrocoagulation* / statistics & numerical data
  • Humans
  • Intervertebral Disc Displacement / complications
  • Intervertebral Disc Displacement / therapy
  • Low Back Pain / etiology
  • Low Back Pain / therapy
  • Lumbosacral Region
  • Prostheses and Implants* / adverse effects
  • Prostheses and Implants* / statistics & numerical data
  • Spinal Diseases / complications
  • Spinal Diseases / therapy*
  • Spinal Fusion* / instrumentation
  • Spinal Fusion* / statistics & numerical data
  • Treatment Outcome