Discseel® Procedure

The Discseel® Procedure repairs torn spinal discs using needles, and Apex Pain Specialists is one of only four practices that performs this innovative procedure in the state of Arizona. Physicians Naveen Reddy, MD, and Maziar Massrour, MD, can perform the Discseel Procedure in just one office visit, and you can get back to full activity in just 24 hours. Call the Chandler, Arizona, office or click the online scheduler to make your appointment today. 

What is the Discseel® Procedure?

The Discseel Procedure treats annular tears — rips in spinal discs. This procedure includes consultation and treatment in the same visit, so you’ll be up and moving in just 24 hours. 

The Discseel Procedure is a less invasive and less costly alternative to spinal fusion for many people who struggle with chronic back or neck pain. Apex Pain Specialists is one of only four practices statewide to offer this specialized procedure. 

Is the Discseel® Procedure right for me? 

A disc tear causes the disc’s nucleus pulposus (the gelatinous filling) to leak into the spinal canal, and this is the cause of most low back pain and a significant amount of neck pain. For example, herniated discs, degenerative disc disease, and sciatica pain are all rooted in disc tears. 

If you have chronic low back or neck pain and are looking for more of a cure than a short-term treatment, the Discseel Procedure could be right for you. 

How does the Discseel® Procedure work?

The Discseel Procedure includes same-day disc evaluation and treatment. 

Annulogram

An annulogram is a test that shows your spinal discs in detail. During the annulogram, your provider tests all discs in your area of pain. Your physician injects X-ray contrast and a small amount of antibiotic (to deter infection) into every disc. This highlights the disc tears to guide the next step of treatment. 

Annulogram can find even the smallest disc tears, including those not visible on an MRI or discography, before they cause disc herniation or degeneration. 

Treatment

Next, your physician simultaneously injects prothrombin and fibrinogen into your torn discs. These two components combine to make fibrin, an FDA-approved* biologic that creates a fibrous mesh. 

Over time, fibrin seals the disc tears and prompts your body to grow new tissue to further reinforce the damaged disc. 

After treatment, you’ll rest for 30 minutes in recovery before returning home. 

What results can I expect from the Discseel® Procedure?

You can stage a gradual return to activity, starting 24 hours after the procedure. Increase your activity in 10% increments until you’re back to full activity. 

Your discs heal gradually over time, and most patients experience pain relief at around three to six months after their procedure. 

Looking for a back surgery alternative? Call Apex Pain Specialists or click the online scheduler to learn more about the Discseel Procedure today. 

Call Apex Pain Specialists to receive the following additional info on Discseel:

• Pre-op Surgery Center Sample Note - Includes pre-op instructions regarding the following: what to expect for sedation, when to stop eating/drinking prior to the procedure, what patients are to expect upon arrival for their procedure at the surgery center
• Medications to Hold List – Medications to Hold List to be reviewed with the patient and given to the patient prior to their Discseel® Procedure.
• Patient Do’s & Don’ts - Post-Op Physician activity list to be sent home in white Discseel® Procedure folder
• Patient Lumbar Post-Op Instructions - To be sent home in the white Discseel® Procedure folder (folders come inside your welcome starter kit)
• Sample Discseel® Procedure Patient Travel Letter
• Discseel® Procedure Study Papers - Techniques In Regional Anesthesia and Pain Management: Treat of annual disc tear and “leaky disc syndrome” with fibrin sealant.

 * Fibrin is FDA approved for use as a hemostatic, tissue sealant, and tissue adhesive, but is not yet approved for disc repair. However, disc repair is an accepted off-label use, similar to how steroids are widely used in interventional pain management injections but aren’t yet FDA approved for that use.