Table 1.

Inclusion criteria

Candidate for IDET at one or two or three levels

Symptoms of degenerative lumbar disc disease of at least 6 months' duration

Failure to improve with a minimum of 6 months of conservative treatment (including pain medication and physical therapy)

Presenting with marked functional limitation

Sitting intolerance greater than standing intolerance

Presenting with predominant low back pain with or without referred leg pain

Negative straight leg raise and normal neurologic examination

The presence of degenerative disc disease on magnetic resonance scan with global disc degeneration or posterior or posterolateral annular tear evident

Minimum age, 18 years

Must be willing to comply with follow-up as per the protocol