DISCSEEL® Has limited availability in the USA

DISCSEEL® is a new non-surgical procedure for low back (lumbar) disc abnormalities such as disc bulges, protrusions, herniations, extrusions, and degenerative disc disease. DISCSEEL® has limited availability in the United States because it requires a specific license to perform. Boris Terebuh, MD is Ohio’s first, and most experienced DISCSEEL® provider, and was selected to be member of the first training class of licensed providers in July 2018. Dr. Terebuh’s practice is located in Dublin, a central Ohio suburb of Columbus, which is easily accessible by car, but also by plane from further locations via John Glenn International Airport (CMH). This is great news for citizens of the Midwest because Dr. Terebuh’s availability to provide experienced and high quality licensed DISCSEEL® always saves them time, travel, and money. 

In addition to treating many people in Ohio and the Midwest, patients from twenty-four states have traveled to Ohio to receive the DISCSEEL® procedure from Dr. Terebuh from as far away as Hawaii, California, Utah, Wyoming, and Colorado. Patients from Europe and Canada have also made the journey for DISCSEEL® treatment by Dr. Terebuh.

Reasons Why People Come to Ohio for DISCSEEL®

There are four major reasons why patients choose Ohio for their DISCSEEL® procedure.

1. Experience: Patients are comforted to hear the number of DISCSEEL® cases performed by Dr. Terebuh compared to other licensed providers trained since that first licensing class in July 2018. Dr. Terebuh is the only physician in this office who performs DISCSEEL®, so your care is never transferred to a less experienced provider.
2. Best Value: The total cost of DISCSEEL® is always lower at our office because we never charge any additional fees. 
3. Word of Mouth Credibility: Some of the patients who traveled the farthest did so because a family member or friend was previously treated successfully with DISCSEEL® by Dr. Terebuh.
4. MOST IMPORTANTLY – Easy Communication: DISCSEEL® is our expertise, so we prioritize answering your questions swiftly and comprehensively whether in person or on the phone. Every staff member is knowledgeable on every aspect of DISCSEEL®. You will also have direct conversations with Dr. Terebuh before, during, and after your DISCSEEL® procedure. We receive compliments frequently regarding how accessible and responsive we are to questions.

Why Lumbar Discs Benefit from DISCSEEL®

Spinal discs have two layers. The center of the disc is called the nucleus pulposus and it has a gel-like texture. The outer ring is called the annulus fibrosus. It is stronger but still flexible. Because of injury or aging, small cracks called fissures can form in the disc from the inside outward. As degenerative disc disease develops, the disc may begin to dry out. When this happens, the spine becomes less able to absorb force, and the discs may lose height. Since discs do not have a good blood supply, these cracks in the annulus usually cannot heal on their own, and they cannot be stitched with surgery.

Over time, these fissures often grow longer and more numerous. The discs themselves may become painful because of this process. In simple terms, once degenerative disc disease starts, it tends to move forward in a predictable way, even in healthy people. If a crack in the annulus becomes large enough, some of the nucleus pulposus material can push out of the center of the disc and press on a spinal nerve. This is called a herniated nucleus pulposus (HNP), and it can cause nerve pain that travels down the legs.

How The DISCSEEL® Procedure Works

DISCSEEL® is designed to help reduce low back and leg pain caused by problems in the lumbar discs without traditional surgery. Common disc abnormalities treated include disc bulges, protrusions, herniations, extrusions, and degenerative disc disease. By helping restore the discs, the chance of reinjury may decrease and non-surgical care may work better. The DISCSEEL® procedure uses a protein called fibrin, which comes from human blood. Fibrin is approved by the FDA and is sometimes used by doctors in ways that are different from its original approval (off label), like how corticosteroids are used off label for epidural injections. DISCSEEL® uses fibrin in a comparable way.

During the procedure, fibrin is injected into damaged discs in the lower back using image guidance to make sure the placement is accurate. The goal is to seal tears in the annulus fibrosus. In the disc, fibrin acts like a type of glue that helps close cracks or fissures in the outer layer. This may help damaged disc tissue grow again and allows the disc to be preserved instead of removed with surgery. Fibrin helps repair damage by encouraging growth from the inside outward and focuses the healing process because the disc is sealed. Healing occurs over time because the biologic material placed in the disc signals the body to repair itself. As healing continues, collagen, which is an important part of disc structure, is drawn into the disc. Tears that were present before the DISCSEEL® procedure are sealed with fibrin after treatment. Even more important, the disc continues to heal during the following year.

Alternatives To DISCSEEL®

Before DISCSEEL® became available, the main treatments for bulging or degenerative discs were physical therapy, several types of medications, spine injections, surgery, or simply living with the pain. For people suffering from lumbar disc problems, the good news is that DISCSEEL® is now an available option if you do not like the other alternatives listed above. The great news is the DISCSEEL® is also available in Ohio for people in Midwest who are not interested in traveling across the country. Call Boris Terebuh, MD’s office today at (614) 999-9899 to find out if DISCSEEL® may be right for you. You can also learn more on the website RegenerativeSpineAndJoint.com.