Many people in Singapore struggle with chronic low back pain, whether it’s from sitting long hours at work, lifting heavy objects or an old injury that never fully healed. You may have tried physiotherapy, medication, or lifestyle adjustments, yet the discomfort lingers, affecting your daily activities and overall quality of life.
For patients in this situation, minimally invasive procedures such as disc annuloplasty offer a more targeted way to address pain arising from the disc itself, while preserving spinal structure and function.
What Is Disc Annuloplasty?
Disc annuloplasty, also known as intradiscal electrothermal therapy (IDET), is a minimally invasive procedure that relieves pain originating from the intervertebral discs in the lower back. These discs act as cushions between your vertebrae, absorbing impact and allowing the spine to move smoothly. Over time, or following injury, small tears may develop in the outer layer of the disc, known as the annulus fibrosus. When this occurs, nearby nerve endings can become irritated, leading to persistent localised pain, sometimes felt beyond the lower back.
How Disc Annuloplasty Works
During the procedure, a specialised catheter is carefully inserted into the affected disc under imaging guidance. Controlled thermal or radiofrequency energy is then delivered along the inner edge of the annulus fibrosus. The applied heat works by reducing pain signals from irritated nerve fibres and tightening annular collagen. This process may help decrease mechanical irritation associated with annular tears and reduce disc-related pain over time.
This approach is intended for selected patients with discogenic pain linked to internal disc disruption and is not suitable for large disc herniations or conditions involving significant nerve root compression.
What Are the Benefits of Disc Annuloplasty?
Disc annuloplasty offers several potential benefits for people with discogenic pain, particularly when other non-surgical methods have not provided sufficient relief.
- Pain Reduction: By reducing pain signalling from irritated nerve fibres within the annulus and tightening annular collagen, annuloplasty may help lower pain levels and support improved daily function.
- Preservation of Spinal Mobility: Unlike traditional spinal fusion, which immobilises a segment of the spine, annuloplasty allows natural movement, keeping flexibility for everyday activities.
- Minimally Invasive Approach: The procedure involves only a small puncture, reducing tissue disruption and lowering the risk of complications compared with open surgery. Recovery time is typically shorter, allowing patients to return to normal activities sooner.
- Reduced Reliance on Long-term Medication: For some patients, effective pain relief may lessen the need for ongoing use of painkillers or anti-inflammatory medication.
- Potential to Delay or Avoid Major Surgery: In carefully selected cases, annuloplasty may provide sufficient symptom relief to postpone or avoid more extensive surgical procedures.
Who Is the Ideal Candidate For Disc Annuloplasty?
Not all back pain can be effectively treated with procedures like disc annuloplasty. A thorough evaluation by a pain specialist is essential to confirm the diagnosis and determine if the treatment is suitable for you.
The procedure is most appropriate for patients who:
- Have chronic low back pain, typically lasting several months or longer
- Show MRI evidence of internal disc disruption or small annular tears without significant disc herniation
- Have little or no nerve-related symptoms, such as sciatica or progressive neurological changes
- Have not achieved adequate relief with treatments such as physiotherapy, medication or epidural injections
What Outcomes Can Patients Reasonably Expect?
Pain relief after disc annuloplasty usually develops gradually rather than immediately. Mild soreness in the first few days is normal as the treated tissue settles, and gentle walking or light stretching is encouraged early on. To support recovery, it’s best to avoid heavy lifting, repeated bending, or long periods of sitting.
Over time, many patients notice a steady reduction in pain and an improvement in mobility. It’s important to remember that annuloplasty cannot stop the natural ageing of the discs, so symptoms may occasionally return, requiring follow-up or additional treatments. By reducing pain signalling from the annulus and preserving spinal movement, this minimally invasive approach may help selected patients maintain function and stay active in daily life.
Explore Lower Back Pain Treatments with Dr Thor Timothy
Minimally invasive procedures such as disc annuloplasty give patients an opportunity to tackle chronic disc-related pain without the disruption or lengthy recovery associated with major surgery. For those whose back discomfort continues despite physiotherapy, medication or lifestyle changes, taking action early can make a real difference.
At our pain management clinic in Singapore, care begins with careful evaluation rather than assumptions. Led by Dr Thor Timothy, our team focuses on precise diagnosis and non-surgical, minimally invasive treatments tailored to each patient’s condition. If you are seeking clarity about your back pain and the options available to you, book an appointment to discuss your symptoms in detail and find out whether disc annuloplasty may be an appropriate part of your pain management plan.
