Electrothermal Catheter Therapy: After the Procedure
TESTS AND PROCEDURES

Electrothermal Catheter Therapy: After the Procedure

January 17, 2020

Electrothermal Catheter Therapy: After the Procedure

The procedure is over soon, but you won’t recover overnight. For the first week, you may feel more back pain than usual. This is normal. It may take 6 months or more to reach full improvement of your back pain. Be patient and stick to your treatment plan to make sure you get better.

Health care provider walking with senior patient.

In the hospital

After your procedure, you’ll be moved to the recovery room. You may stay there for 1 to 2 hours. You’ll be given pain medicine if you need it. You will also be checked to make sure that your legs are not numb or weak. When it’s time for you to leave, you’ll be given:

  • A prescription for pain medicine to take at home

  • Instructions on how to take care of yourself during your recovery

  • A back brace, if needed

At home

For the first 4 weeks:

  • Rest and heal at home.

  • Be careful not to bend or twist.

  • Limit your sitting time as advised by your healthcare provider

During this time, you will have a follow-up appointment with your healthcare provider. Depending on how your recovery goes:

  • You may start to exercise as directed by your healthcare provider or physical therapist.

  • You may return to work as soon as 4 weeks after the procedure.

When to call your healthcare provider

Contact your healthcare provider right away if you have:

  • Increasing redness or drainage from your needle insertion site

  • Increasing pain, weakness, or numbness in your legs

  • A fever above 100.0°F ( 37.7°C)

  • Loss of bowel or bladder control

  • A severe headache

Updated:  

January 17, 2020

Sources:  

Intradiscal electrothermal therapy (IDET). American Academy of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation

Reviewed By:  

Fraser, Marianne, MSN, RN,Moe, Jimmy, MD