Degenerative Disc Disease

Have you been told your only option for your back pain is steroid injections or invasive surgery? Minimally invasive regenerative alternatives offer pain relief and can help you get your life back on track

Your spine is made up of 33 bones, your vertebrae, stacked together. In between them are flexible discs that act like shock absorbers when you walk, run or jump and they help protect the spinal column. In fact, it’s not actually a ‘disease’. That’s just the name given to a condition that causes you pain from a disc losing its normal strength and health. As you get older, your discs naturally begin to shrink and wear down – approximately 20% of 20 year olds and 80% of 80 year olds have some degeneration of their discs.

What treatments does Living Room Health Regenerative Treatments offer?

Our renowned medical team provides a range of non-invasive treatments, from the traditional to the innovative. Many of our treatments can be carried out on an outpatient basis, without the need for a hospital stay. In fact, many patients can resume their normal activities within several hours of their visit!

   

Micro-Fragmented Adipose Tissue (MFAT)

Over a one-day period, this treatment is exclusively offered to our patients. MFAT Injections use a pioneering technology whereby your body’s own adipose (fat) cells are used to treat pain and inflammation. MFAT Injections are minimally invasive due to the guidance of ultrasound. Altogether the procedure takes about an hour to perform with a minimal recovery time. As well as being a potential alternative to surgery, MFAT Injections can also aid post-surgery recovery.

Read Angela’s story who had this treatment in her knees. She is now pain free and her life has changed completely.

   

Bone Marrow Aspirate Concentrate (BMAC)

BMAC Injections harness the natural healing abilities of your own mesenchymal stem cells, found in the bone marrow, to regenerate and reconstruct the musculoskeletal system by replacing cells and tissues damaged by degenerative diseases or trauma. BMAC Injections treat pain and inflammation by accelerating healing through the assistance of biological growth factors. This minimally invasive, day-case procedure is done under x-ray guidance and has a minimal recovery time. Our innovative BMAC Injections offer an alternative treatment plan to traditional invasive surgery.

Read more here.

   

Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP)

This is an effective and well-researched procedure that’s a potential alternative to surgery. It takes advantage of the blood’s natural healing properties to reduce pain and improve joint function. It uses a specially concentrated dosage of platelets prepared from your own blood to repair damaged cartilage, tendons, ligaments, muscle and bone. Treatment is administered via an injection and depending on the injury two to six injections may be required, performed at weekly intervals. Patients usually see their symptoms improve within four to six weeks of having the injections. PRP is a safe treatment option which, because your own blood is used, carries no risk of allergic reaction. Read more clinical evidence supporting PRP here

Read Eddie’s Story. The British former professional strongman and World’s Strongest Man 2017 winner Eddie Hall recently received PRP Therapy.

What is an intradiscal injection?

The Micro-Fragmented Adipose Tissue (MFAT), Bone Marrow Aspirate Concentrate (BMAC) or Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP) are administered using an intradiscal injection.

You’ll be given a mild sedative and be asked to lie face down. Using fluoroscopic (X-ray) for guidance, the doctor will find the best path for the thin needle. They will then insert the needle into the centre of each disc that needs treating.

It’s a quick procedure and you’ll up and moving around 30 – 40 minutes after the procedure and back to full mobility after one week.

What causes degenerative disc disease?

The spinal discs have a softer inner centre and a harder outer wall. With age, the spinal discs can dry out or crack.

At birth, our spinal discs are mainly made of water. As we age the water dries out and the discs become thinner, making them less able to absorb shocks. It also means there’s less padding between the vertebrae (bones in the spine).

Over time, everyday movements can cause tiny cracks to appear in the outer wall of the spinal discs. The outside wall also contains nerves, so any cracks that appear near the nerves can cause pain. If the outer wall breaks down altogether, the softer centre can push through which can lead to a herniated disc.

What are the symptoms of degenerative disc disease?

Your neck and lower back are the two areas most commonly affected by degenerative disc disease, but as it can lead to more pressure being put on the nerves in your back, that pain may radiate down your arms, buttocks or the back of your legs. It can also cause numbness and tingling in your limbs.

The symptoms you’ll experience with degenerative disc disease depend on which disc(s) are affected and the severity of it. Common symptoms include pain that:

In some cases, degenerative disc disease can cause numbness and a tingling sensation in the arms and legs. Or, it may can cause your leg muscles to become weak. Both of these mean the discs may be affecting nearby nerves as they emerge from the spine.

How is degenerative disc disease diagnosed?

If you are experiencing low back pain or pain in your buttocks and thighs, a doctor will examine you applying pressure to different areas to see where it hurts. In some cases, the doctor may refer you to have an:

What are the non-surgical options for degenerative disc disease?

Treatment for degenerative disc disease aims to relieve symptoms and improve the function of the lower back.

Initial treatment may include medications such as analgesics which help reduce the pain, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs – NSAIDS – which reduce the pain and inflammation and steroid injections which reduce inflammation and provide short-term relief.

Your doctor may refer you to see a physiotherapist who can show you a range of exercises and stretches which can improve the flexibility and strength of your back muscles.

Our expert team specialises in treating degenerative disc disease using advanced non-surgical techniques including mesenchymal stem cell therapy Micro-Fragmented Adipose Tissue (MFAT), Bone Marrow Aspirate Concentrate (BMAC) and Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP).

Such treatments may be an alternative for patients suitable for surgery or a possible treatment option for those in whom surgery is not an option (see below).

What are the surgical options for degenerative disc disease?

If your symptoms don’t improve with non-surgical options, your doctor may recommend surgery.

The surgeon may offer to remove the disc and fuse the bones on either side. This can be done via several approaches to the spine, each of which has significant risks and benefits that the surgeon will discuss with you. It is only an option in certain patients depending largely on the extent of the degenerative disease. The more ‘widespread’ the degenerative change, the less likely surgery is to help and many patients are not suitable for fusion surgery.

Why have a consultation at Living Room Health Regenerative Treatments?

Our experienced consultants will undertake a thorough examination exploring non-surgical and surgical treatments. They’ll also discuss your suitability for our state-of-the-art biological therapies.

Who will my consultation be with?

Your consultation will be with one of our spine specialists and will last approximately 30 minutes. On the day, or the day before you will be asked to attend for an MRI scan.

As well as undertaking an examination, our specialists will take details of your medical history and discuss your symptoms. They will also detail all your treatment options and cover their potential benefits and risks.

Our expert team comprises of highly experienced surgeons, sports medicine doctors and physiotherapists who are committed to delivering a high level of care and the correct treatment option so you can quickly get back to moving around.

The first step is to book a consultation for a thorough assessment. Click here to make an appointment.

What is the autologous biological approach and when should it be considered?

Autologous translates as ‘from the same person.’ In brief, it involves using your own cells to encourage healing. The major benefits are that there is no chance of rejection, infection or contamination as you are using cells from your own body rather than a donor.

We offer a range of therapies based on this principle which can be considered if traditional treatments including surgery aren’t relieving your pain.

Clinical evidence

Biological treatments are pioneering procedures and we’re continuously monitoring and recording its effectiveness. Patients undertaking these treatments are asked to complete pre-operative and post-operative questionnaires.

The information obtained from these questionnaires allows us to monitor your progress and it also contributes to our evidence-based database and other global studies on biological treatments. All information gathered is anonymised.

Intradiscal and intra-articular facet infiltrations with ‘Endoret’ plasma rich in growth factors reduce pain in patients with chronic low back pain. Read full paper.

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