The IDET procedure has been performed on over 75,000 patients in the United States since 1998. In that time, the IDET procedure has also been studied by medical researchers in 17 clinical trials, which have included more than 775 treated patients. Complications related to the IDET procedure have been rare in clinical studies and in everyday practice. Potential risks related to the IDET procedure include the following:

• Pain: Persistent and sometimes increased low back pain is expected in the 1st week after the IDET procedure.
• Nerve injury: Any time a needle is inserted into the spine, there is some risk of nerve injury. However, the use of real-time x-ray visualization and keeping you awake and responsive under partial anesthesia may help reduce this risk.
• Probe breakage: Excessive manipulation of the flexible probe may cause it to kink and break off in the disc. However, the probe material is inert, so in most cases the broken tip may be left in the disc with no risk to you.

The most comprehensive report of complications occurring during and after the IDET procedure was presented at the 2001 meeting of the North American Spine Society. The authors reviewed 1,675 IDET procedures performed at 5 different spine centers. They also reviewed 35,000 FDA medical device reports for 35,000 SPINECATH catheters:

• The investigators found that the rate of serious complications for the IDET procedure was just 0.7% (12 cases out of 1,675 procedures)—and all these complications were brief.

The overall picture of the IDET procedure that emerges is one of a relatively simple procedure with few potentially serious risks and an impressive record of safety in actual practice.

It should be noted that the prospect for a successful outcome may also depend on a patient’s preparation, recovery, and aftercare.