It is estimated that as much as 80% of our population will experience a back problem at some time in their lives. Back pain is the second most common reason for doctor visits. While there are several possible causes of back pain, disc disease is one of the most common causes; and is one of the most difficult to adequately treat.
Intervertebral discs are the soft, compressible structures connecting one vertebra to the other. These discs allow for mobility of the spine, as well as acting as shock absorbers. Intervertebral discs can become painful through two possible mechanisms. The first is traumatic injury that can cause annular tears or herniation of the discs. The second catalyst for back pain is the progressive wear and tear of the discs, which causes weakening and disruption of the annulus, and drying out of the nucleus.
Conventional Therapies for Intervertebral Disc Disease
Conventional medical therapies for the treatment of painful discogenic pain has commonly been unsuccessful in relieving pain and discomfort, and in some cases these treatments can actually worsen the patients’ condition. Intervertebral discs do not have the capability to naturally heal or repair themselves. Therefore, treatment options have consisted of conservative physical therapy or chiropractic regimens, anti-inflammatory medications, stronger narcotic medications, therapeutic injections such as epidural injections, and ultimately major spinal fusion surgery.
Thanks to regenerative therapies being implemented successfully by Cell Life Medical, patients now have a minimally invasive option to repair the damaged disc, to restore function and mobility, and to eliminate the overwhelming burden of chronic back pain.
Regenerative Therapy and Intervertebral Disc Disease
Recent studies have demonstrated that regenerative therapies have the ability to repair and regenerate damaged annular fibers, rehydrate the disc and restore disc height, and ultimately relieve intractable, debilitating back pain.
Regenerative therapy for disc disease is a minimally invasive, outpatient procedure in which your own regenerative cells are extracted from bone marrow or adipose tissue. The cells are then concentrated and re-injected into the affected discs under x-ray guidance. Painful discs in the cervical, thoracic or lumbar spine can be treated in this fashion by our experienced regenerative medicine doctors.
The Dr. Proano at Cell Life Medical possess more than 25 years of experience performing precise, image-guided spinal and joint injections.