Regenerative injection therapy is a powerful new option for the treatment of herniated discs. The spine has discs between each segmental level starting in the neck and running through the low back. These discs essentially provide a cushion between the vertebrae of the spine allowing for various ranges of motion and activity in the body. They also provide protection to the spinal nerves and can absorb force applied to the spine. A herniated disc is when the disc has moved from its position between the two vertebra at its spinal level. Sometimes this is referred to as a slipped disc or ruptured disc and usually results in the disc moving slightly posteriorly. This creates a problem because the spinal nerves are exiting the spinal column directly posterior to their corresponding disc. When the disc herniates it often puts pressure on the nerve and can cause inflammation and pain.
Symptoms of a Herniated Disc
- Nerve Pain (numbness / tingling)
- Radiating Pain
- Muscle Weakness
- Pain on specific movements
This condition can be caused by a few different factors but is generally considered an age-related degeneration of the disc. Basically, wear and tear from years of use combined with dehydration of the disc itself. The disc can also herniate through a forceful injury to the back that is more commonly seen in football players and auto accidents. This condition can be diagnosed in-office through a detailed case history combined with physical examination and orthopedic testing. For more information regarding severity, X-Ray imaging and a MRI should be ordered. The MRI provides the most detailed account of the disc’s condition and the extent of the herniation. It also provides details of the surrounding tissue structures that may be contributing to the herniation and pain.
Conventional treatment options include:
- NSAIDS (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs)
- Ibuprofen, Naproxen
- Opioid pain medications
- Percocet, Codeine
- Muscle Relaxers
- Flexeril, Soma
- Steroid Injections
- Physical Therapy
- Surgery
- Discectomy
Regenerative Medicine Herniated Disc Overview
Disc herniation and disc degeneration are often contributed to “wear and tear,” but what does that really mean? Basically, the disc is under extra force and is experiencing too much mobility and movement that eventually leads to damage and degradation. To stop this from happening, we must then limit the movement the disc is being exposed to. This can be done through regenerative injections into the ligaments that surround the disc and the spine and in some cases the disc itself. The ligaments treated are the iliolumbar, sacroiliac, supraspinous, and the intertransverse ligaments. When ligament laxity is addressed and treated with orthobiologics, the strength of the surrounding structures around the disc are returned or improved. This prevents the disc from extra mobility and stops it from herniating posteriorly.
Benefits of Regenerative Injections
- Pain Relief
- Strengthens Ligaments, Tendons, Cartilage, and Connective Tissue
- Utilization of your Natural Growth Factors and Cells
- Minimal Downtime
- Non-Surgical / Non-Invasive
Regenerative medicine herniated disc therapy produces clinical outcomes that are a great alternative to steroid injections, nerve ablations, or opioid pain medications. Patients begin seeing improvement typically within the 6 weeks with the best results observed 6-12 months post treatment. After one orthobiologic treatment has been completed, patients will sometimes need a PRP follow up procedure to strengthen the initial injections in enhance the long term outcome of pain reduction and return to improved functionality. These outcomes provide attractive alternatives to conventional care with minimal expense and downtime. Patients often return to normal living activities and begin to re-engage in hobbies and exercises that they enjoy with their friends and families. This type of therapy is becoming more and more popular with various skilled physicians offering these treatments now.
For more information about Integrative Pain Management in Gilbert, AZ, Chandler, AZ, Mesa, AZ, and Queen Creek, AZ, autologous stem cell provider referrals, Regenerative Injection Treatments, Platelet Rich Plasma, or our clinic, please contact us at: 480-648-1534
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These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA and are for educational purposes only. Atlas Health Medical Group does not treat spinal conditions. If you are interested in autologous stem cell therapy, we will happily connect you to local and trusted providers as we do not provide that service but are strong proponents of its potential.
