Percutaneous intradiscal radiofrequency treatment of the intervertebral disc nucleus for low back pain

The procedure

This procedure is done under local anaesthesia, with the patient sedated and lying face down. It aims to relieve low back pain by delivering heat energy to the damaged disc.

A needle is inserted into the disc using X‑ray guidance. A thin flexible tube is then passed through the needle and into the centre of the disc. Once in position, the tube is slowly heated and kept at around 70ºC, usually for about 1–2 minutes, before it is removed.

Pulsed radiofrequency can also be used, which generates less heat in the disc, but is applied for a longer time.