DISCSEEL® represents one of the major breakthroughs in the non-operative management of spinal pain over the last 10-15 years offering possible relief of their symptoms, with the ability to avoid more invasive, risky, and expensive open surgery.
DISCSEEL® is a patent method procedure utilizing a natural biologic, which is meant to seal your discs preventing leaks as well as instigate regrowth of tissue. It is a revolutionizing method that we hope will become the standard of care across the nation, as well as internationally. In a published study, which was awarded the outstanding spine study of the year, many patients who underwent the procedure demonstrated healed discs from this method.
The DISCSEEL® procedure provides two important purposes:
1. It introduces fibrin which incorporates into the disc forming a barrier, sealing the torn outer disc (the annulus fibrosis). This prevents the disc’s inner jelly (nucleus pulposus) from leaking through the torn annulus fibrosis which cause inflammation of the nerves leading to low back pain and sometimes leg symptoms as well.
2. Through the DISCSEEL® procedure, the fibrin forms the foundation ready to receive necessary building blocks. These building blocks include collagen, which is known to grow new disc tissue. Once the fibrin is introduced through the DISCSEEL® procedure, the goal during the next 12 months is for your disc tissue to begin healing and re-grow new tissue where there were previous tears.
Leaky disc syndrome is a term used to explain to patients that their lower back, leg pain, or neck and arm symptoms are most often caused by a disc that is torn and leaking. When a disc tears, it allows the gel- like inner portion in the center of the disk to leak onto the adjacent nerves, causing inflammation which leads to pain and other symptoms. Many patients are told their symptoms are caused by a pinched nerve. While this is true, we believe most pain and symptoms experienced in the extremities are caused by annular tears that have progressed into herniated and bulging discs.
The procedure is performed under conscious sedation (patients receive intravenous medications to fall asleep but still responsive). When you arrive, the staff will obtain a description of your pain. Medications, allergies and a brief health history will be reviewed. It is important to inform us if you have allergies to contrast (dye), Betadine, shellfish or latex, if you are taking blood thinners, such as Coumadin, Plavix, Aggrenox, Eliquis, Xarelto, Pradaxa or Lovenox, if you have diabetes or if there is a possibility of pregnancy.
After discussing treatment, you will go to the procedure room where you will be helped onto the x-ray table into the best position for visualizing your spine. We will try to make you as comfortable as possible. Your skin will be cleansed with antiseptic, Dr. El Abd will place needles using fluoroscopic guidance. A small amount of contrast dye mixed with antibiotics will be injected to confirm the proper needles placement, prothrombin and fibrin are injected afterwards. The entire procedure will take usually between 30 and 60 minutes.
Due to conscious sedation, we recommend that you plan to stay with us for about 1 ½- 2 hours after your procedure. The staff will be available to answer any questions you might have and to review discharge instructions and follow up care.
