Degenerative disc disease can lead to pain, weakness, and decreased mobility. Although it is more common in middle age, symptoms of degenerative disc disease may start as early as your 30s.

Degenerative disc disease treatment can include nonsurgical treatments, such as physical therapy, injections, and degenerative disc disease surgery, which involves a spinal fusion. The best treatment often depends on the severity of symptoms.

The degenerative disc spine care (DISC) procedure is one option for treating degenerative disc disease. We’ll break down the procedure, including how it is performed, its risks, and its benefits.

What is Degenerative Disc Disease?

Degenerative disc disease occurs when the discs in the spine wear down. This is a normal process that occurs with aging. Similar to how your knees or shoulder joints may develop wear and tear, your spinal discs also may begin to wear down.

The spinal discs may wear down due to a combination of factors, such as injury to the spine, family history, and arthritis. As the spinal discs wear down, the bones may rub together, which causes pain and stiffness in the back.

Degenerative disc disease is widespread. In fact, evidence of degenerative disc disease may develop younger than you think. Research indicates1 that by the age of 35, about 30% of people have degenerative disc disease. By age 60, that number climbs to 90%.

Disc degeneration can affect any area of the spine. However, it most commonly2 occurs in the cervical spine or lumbar spine.

Symptoms of degenerative disc disease include:

• Pain in the back or neck
• Radiating pain down the lower back or buttocks
• Pain that worsens when bending, sitting, or lifting
• Radiating tingling or numbness in the arms or legs

Not everyone with degenerative disc disease develops symptoms. Some have mild disease and do not require treatment. But for others, degenerative disc disease treatments are greatly needed.

When nonsurgical treatment does not work, surgical treatment may include a spinal fusion. However, other treatment options are also available, including a Via DISC procedure.

What is the DISC Procedure?

The DISC procedure may be a nonsurgical alternative option to traditional surgery for degenerative disc disease. The process uses an injectable allograft that contains additives to supplement the degenerated intervertebral discs. The tissue that contains:

• Collagen
• Elastin
• Fibronectin
• Laminin
• Growth factors
• Cytokines
• Hyaluronic acid
• Proteins
• Peptides

DISC Procedure as an Alternative to Spinal Fusion and Artificial Disc Replacement Surgery

There are multiple treatment and surgical options to treat degenerative disc disease based on an individual’s needs. Possible surgery for degenerative disc disease may include:

• Spinal Fusion: A procedure that involves connecting two vertebrae together. This helps prevent certain movements and reduces pain.
• Disc Replacement Surgery: An artificial disc replacement surgery procedure that involves removing and replacing the damaged disc with an artificial one

The DISC procedure offers an alternative treatment option to surgery for degenerative disc disease. Although spinal surgery helps decrease pain associated with a damaged disc, the DISC procedure can do more than just relieve pain. It can also address the root cause of degenerative disc disease, which is the breakdown of the intervertebral discs.

How is a DISC Procedure Performed?

A DISC procedure may be performed under local anesthesia or moderate sedation. Usually, the procedure is done on an outpatient basis, allowing you to go home the same day.

In the procedure, the doctor inserts a needle through the skin and muscle into the center of the intervertebral disc.

During a DISC, your doctor uses fluoroscopy, a live x-ray imaging that tool, for proper needle placement.

The injectate is slowly delivered into the disc. In some instances, biologic-based plasma is used. Your physical will determine which method is best for your needs.

The allograft undergoes a meticulous process that removes all the cellular components while still preserving its structural integrity. This process eliminates the risk of your immune system rejecting the injectate.

Benefits of the DISC Procedure

There are several benefits of undergoing a DISC procedure to treat degenerative disc disease, including the following:

• Minimally invasive procedure: A DISC procedure is minimally invasive, often reducing the risks associated with traditional spinal surgery. For example, DISC does not require incisions in the back. Instead, the graft is delivered through a needle.
• Supplements the disc: The graft helps support the biomechanical function of the disc, which makes it stronger.
• Faster recovery than spinal fusion: With spinal fusion surgery, it can take several weeks to recover. It can also have a higher risk of complications than a DISC procedure.
• Improved mobility and quality of life: Because a DISC procedure works on the root cause of disc degeneration, it reduces pain and may also improve mobility and quality of life.

Risks of a DISC Procedure

A DISC procedure is generally low-risk. The donor tissue is processed to lower the chances of contamination and rejection. The procedure is also minimally invasive, which decreases the risk of surgical complications.

However, with any medical procedure, there are potential risks. Possible risks of a DISC procedure include:

• Infection
• Increased back pain
• Bleeding
• Nerve damage
• Insufficient or lack of pain relief

What to Expect During Recovery After a DISC Procedure

After a DISC procedure, it is common to have some soreness and pain from the increased pressure in your intervertebral disc. The injection site may also cause a little discomfort. Your doctor may also suggest using an ice pack to decrease pain at the injection site to deal with post-injection site discomfort.

Your physician may also prescribe certain medications to help with discomfort while you heal. This may include analgesics, muscle relaxants, and steroid dose packs.

In some cases, your doctor may suggest physical therapy or wearing a back brace to help you feel more stable and comfortable after your procedure.

You will also receive instructions on activity restrictions or limitations while you heal. This may include limiting strenuous activity for 72 hours after the procedure and avoiding NSAIDs for two weeks after the injection.

You typically have a follow-up appointment two to four weeks after the DISC procedure. This allows your doctor to discuss your healing, pain, and functioning. However, depending on your individual needs, you may need additional follow-up appointments.

Is Pain Relief Immediate After a DISC Procedure?

Pain relief after the DISC procedure may take several weeks after the injection. The allograft begins to supplement the damaged disc, allowing it to regenerate and repair itself. It supports and cushions the disc, which results in reduced pain.

The graft helps stimulate the body’s natural healing by allowing the new cells to grow and promote tissue regeneration.

However, it can take several weeks to notice significant improvements. The exact timeframe for pain reduction may vary, but once achieved, pain relief is often long-lasting.

Are You a Candidate for the DISC Procedure

The DISC procedure via an allograft was designed to treat chronic back pain, often for degenerative discs. The best way to determine if you are good for the DISC procedure is to come in for a consultation.

You may be a good candidate for the procedure if you have the following:

• Chronic low back pain
• Imaging evidence of a degenerative disc
• Have tried conservative treatment, such as physical therapy, for six months without pain relief

Summary

A degenerative disc can lead to pain and decreased mobility and may affect overall functioning. Surgical treatment, such as spinal fusion, may be an option.

However, the DISC procedure is a minimally invasive option that uses an allograft from donor tissue to help reduce pain and potentially offer long-term pain relief.

If you have any questions about the DISC procedure or how to treat degenerative disc disease, we are happy to help. If you would like to schedule a consultation, please contact us today!

References

1. Degenerative Disc Disease. (n.d.). Columbia University. https://www.neurosurgery.columbia.edu/patient-care/conditions/degenerative-disc-disease#:~:text=Most%20people's%20spinal%20discs%20degenerate,evidence%20of%20some%20disc%20degeneration.
2. Degenerative Disc Disease. (n.d.). The Arthritis Foundation. https://www.arthritis.org/diseases/degenerative-disc-disease