Dr. Paul Pannozzo of Summa Pain Care wrote in a July post via LinkedIn, “For years pain physicians offered treatments that would try to reduce symptoms but never really restored the function of the lumbar disc. Today we have ViaDisc that has proven to reduce back pain by adding back what the disc loses over time. Progress!”
ViaDisc is a treatment offering that Summa Pain Care provides to alleviate the pain and loss of function that arises from Lumbar Disc Degeneration or Degenerative Disc Disease. As Dr. Pannozzo alluded too, in earlier treatments no option existed to actually regenerate intradiscal tissue or reverse degeneration, until ViaDisc NP or nucleus pulposus was developed by VIVEX.
Degenerated discs are indicated by decreased disc height, dehydration and loss of nutrient content. These alterations over time create cracks and fissures in the disc(s), placing additional strain on nerves in the surrounding spinal column and placing focused pressure on the spine, causing significant pain.
According to Vivex Biologics, “VIA Disc NP® is an off-the-shelf processed human nucleus pulposus tissue allograft intended to supplement degenerated intervertebral discs.” The most amazing thing is that ViaDisk nucleus pulposus is derived from actual human donor tissue.
They explain, “In-vitro testing of nucleus pulposus tissue demonstrates ability of disc to absorb water similar to original nucleus pulposus tissue. Transplanted nucleus pulposus tissue may support biomechanical function of the supplemented disc.”
A few highlights from the VAST Clinical Trial: Safely Supplementing Tissue Lost to Degenerative Disc Disease available via PubMed and the National Center for Biotechnology Information’s National Library of Medicine truly demonstrate why Dr. Pannozzo finds the results so exciting.
He explained, “The VAST study was well designed with solid outcomes.”
According to the study, “Reduction in pain was evident in both of the active treatment groups in the study. Subjects who had been randomized to continue nonsurgical management (NSM) demonstrated no relief. “
“Functional improvement was evident in both of the active treatment groups in the study. Subjects who had been randomized to continue nonsurgical (NSM) demonstrated no improvement. “
Finally, in discussion, the study concluded “Meaningful clinical improvement was achieved in the cohort randomized to receive VIA Disc Matrix by 6 months and was maintained over the course of the study, attaining a 71% reduction at 6 months that reached 78% by 12 months.”
Dr. Douglas P. Beall wrote, “I am highly encouraged by the initial results and safety data from the VAST study. Implantation of disc tissue allograft can be done safely, and early evidence suggests greater than 70% improvements in VAS and ODI sustained at 12 months in the allograft groups,”
“Interventions like VIA Disc have the potential for treating mild-to-moderate degenerative discs that greatly advance an alternative to surgical intervention.”
Expectations for The Procedure
The VIA Disc NP treatment is performed under strictlysterile conditions.
The VIA Disc NP treatment can be performed under local anesthesia or moderate sedation might be recommended by a Summa Pain Care professional. A treatment including your pain-generating intervertebral disc can create initial discomfort though.
Throughout the treatment, your medical professional will use fluoroscopy (a computer system tomography scan that continues to take images throughout the treatment so that the medical professional can see where the needle is going).
Your doctor will position a needle through the skin and muscle into the center of the intervertebral disc. Via Disc NP will slowly be supplied into the center of the intervertebral disc.
Post-Treatment Care
You may experience pain and discomfort after the treatment, which is normal. This pain may be due to increased pressure within your intervertebral disc,
It is really crucial to follow your doctor’s instructions after the treatment. You might be ordered to keep your activity to the common activities of every day life and limit physical or challenging activity for 72 hours post-procedure.
Your physician may also suggest specific pain medications (e.g. analgesics, steroid dose pack, muscle relaxants). You may experience moderate to severe pain after injection into an intervertebral disc, and oral medications might be needed quickly to treat this post-injection pain and discomfort. An ice bag might be offered to put over the injection site in case of post-injection site discomfort. Your physician may even suggest a back brace or recommend physical therapy to make you feel more comfortable following your treatment.
Find your nearest Summa Pain Care location in Peoria, Phoenix or North Scottsdale today and don’t put this off any longer. Unaddressed pain generally doesn’t improve. Call our Phoenix location at 623.580.4357 , you can reach Peoria at 623.776.8686 or contact us in North Scottsdale at 480.786.1771.
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