The Discseel® Procedure is a groundbreaking, minimally invasive treatment for chronic back pain caused by damaged or torn spinal discs. This procedure uses fibrin, a natural substance that has been FDA-approved for other uses, to seal and heal injured spinal discs. By addressing the root cause of disc problems, the Discseel® Procedure offers an alternative to spinal surgeries like fusion, discectomy, and laminectomy.
What is Fibrin?
Fibrin is a biologic substance made from human blood plasma. It plays a crucial role in the body’s natural healing process. For example, when you cut your skin, fibrin works as a natural adhesive, binding to the injured tissue and creating a scaffold that helps regenerate new, healthy tissue. Similarly, fibrin can seal spinal discs by repairing tears in the disc’s outer layer, known as the annulus fibrosus.
Fibrin is safe to use because it’s naturally found in every person’s body. Allergies to fibrin are virtually impossible since it’s as essential to the body as water or calcium. It has been used for decades in various medical procedures, with no reports of transmitting pathogens due to its high level of purification.
How the Discseel® Procedure Works
The Discseel® Procedure uses fibrin to repair spinal discs that have been damaged by conditions like disc bulges, protrusions, herniations, extrusions, or disc degeneration. Here’s how the procedure is performed:
- Injection of Fibrin: A doctor injects fibrin directly into the tears of the disc’s annulus fibrosus while observing the process through live X-ray imaging.
- Sealing and Healing: The fibrin seals the tears and stimulates the growth of new, healthy disc tissue. Unlike traditional surgeries the Discseel® Procedure promotes the regrowth of normal disc tissue.
The entire process typically takes less than an hour, and patients are able to walk on the same day. Over the next 3 to 12 months, the discs continue to heal as activity levels gradually increase.
Why Fibrin is Superior to Other Treatments
Fibrin is more effective than treatments like stem cells or platelet-rich plasma (PRP) because it actively seals tears in the disc before stimulating healing. Stem cells and PRP lack the adhesive properties of fibrin, so they often leak out of the disc, failing to provide long-lasting results. In contrast, fibrin binds firmly to the damaged tissue, creating a foundation for the regrowth of strong, normal disc tissue.
Targeting the Source of Disc Pain: Annular Tears
Annular tears are the primary cause of most disc-related problems, including disc bulges, protrusions, herniations, extrusions, or disc degeneration. The annulus fibrosus is a thick outer ring of 17 layers that surrounds the disc’s gel-like center, called the nucleus pulposus. When tears occur in the annulus, the gel can leak out, triggering inflammation and pain.
Inflammation of the spinal nerves, known as radiculopathy, occurs when the leaking gel is perceived as a foreign substance by the body. This inflammation is the true cause of nerve pain, not “pinched nerves” as was once thought.
Refinements of the Discseel® Procedure
The Discseel® Procedure focuses exclusively on repairing tears in the annulus fibrosus, avoiding the center of the disc. This is important because introducing substances into the center of the disc can push the nucleus gel outward, worsening inflammation and pain. By targeting only the annular tears, fibrin repairs the disc without causing additional damage.
Long-Term Benefits of the Discseel® Procedure
Research shows that fibrin effectively seals annular tears, restoring the strength of the disc. Over time, the fibrin is replaced with collagen, the natural tissue found in healthy discs. This process ensures permanent repair and relief from chronic back pain.
Unlike traditional surgeries, which may lead to recurring problems or scar tissue, the Discseel® Procedure promotes lasting healing. It prevents the need for spinal fusion or other invasive surgeries by addressing the root cause of the pain: the annular tears.
How Fibrin Heals Discs
Fibrin heals discs in the same way it heals cuts on the skin. When tissue is injured, amino acid chains are exposed. Two natural molecules in the blood—prothrombin and fibrinogen—recognize these exposed chains and bind to the injury site. This reaction forms fibrin, a strong adhesive sealant that acts as a scaffold for new tissue growth. Over time, the fibrin is replaced with normal, healthy tissue, restoring the disc’s integrity.
Conclusion
The Discseel® Procedure is a revolutionary solution for people suffering from chronic back pain due to damaged spinal discs. By using fibrin, a natural and FDA-approved substance, this procedure seals disc tears, regenerates healthy tissue, and eliminates the need for invasive surgeries. If you’re struggling with back pain caused by disc problems, the Discseel® Procedure offers hope for a pain-free future.
