The Minimally Invasive Discseel® Procedure
Repairs Herniated Discs Without Surgery.

Herniated Discs Occur as a Result of Annular Tears

Herniated discs do not cause symptoms;
it is leaking liquid gel, known as the nucleus pulposus, that causes symptoms and weakness.
Because annular tears cause herniated discs, only sealing and healing those tears can heal herniations.

Only the Discseel® Procedure seals these tears, allowing herniated discs to heal.

What is a Herniated Disc?

annular tears

Herniated disc pain occurs when the gel-like inner portion of the spinal disc leaks out through tears in the annulus fibrosus alongside a herniated disc. This gel, which the body perceives as a foreign substance, caused inflammation and irritation of the disc as well as surrounding spinal roots. Pain related to a herniated disc is not caused by a nerve being physically pinched.

causes

A herniated disc occurs when the center of the disc, called the nucleus pulposus, pushes through tears in the exterior of the disc, called the annulus fibrosus.

Sometimes people herniate a disc gradually through wear and tear of the disc by compressive forces (bending forward) or shear forces (twisting), and some herniated discs occur abruptly.

The pain associated with herniated discs is most often caused by the nucleus pulposus leaking through disc tears in the annulus fibrosus onto the spinal nerves, inflaming those nerves. This inflammation of the spinal nerves is what causes most pain and symptoms that patients experience, and not the mechanical pressure of the herniated disc, as many surgeons historically thought.

diagnosis

Like most conditions related to annular tears, herniated discs can be diagnosed with a physical exam and imaging tests, such as MRI, CT scan, or X-ray. Nerve tests may also be conducted if your doctor feels that your nerves have been impacted by the herniated disc.

There are also many common symptoms associated with herniated discs, including arm and leg pain, tingling or numbness, and weakness and muscle fatigue. Though it is not often the case, an individual can suffer from a herniated disc without knowing it. This could be due to minor herniation or a lack of pressure being applied to the spinal nerves. This type of herniation may only be found with x-ray images of the cervical or lumbar spine regions.

more on herniated discs

Most herniated discs occur in the lower back (lumbar spine), but it is also possible to have a herniated disc in your neck (cervical spine). Regardless of where your herniated disc is located, the pain you feel is caused by the irritation and inflammation of surrounding nerves. This explains why epidural steroid injections provide temporary relief despite the fact that they do not address the herniated disc’s underlying cause. These injections temporarily stop inflammation, thus stopping the pain or numbness short-term.

Common treatments for herniated discs may include

Discectomy

Spinal Fusion

Chiropractic Manipulation

Cortisone or Steroid Injections

Medication

Unfortunately, these methods

Do not address the underlying cause of herniated disc pain

only the discseel® procedure is known to heal annular tears that cause herniated discs

THE DISCSEEL® PROCEDURE uses Fibrin, an FDA-approved substance that is used off-label in this procedure, to seal torn tissues in the disc.  Fibrin is injected into disc tears, typically taking less than an hour. You’ll be walking the same day. The disc continues healing over  3-12 months as you increase your activity.

find out if you are a discseel® candidate

patient success

 

After being told his only cure was spinal fusion surgery, Jim searched for an alternative and found the Discseel® Procedure. He is now back to his active lifestyle and has been pain free since his procedure. 

 

Sean wanted to find a solution to his back pain that didn’t involve putting hardware in his spine, so he chose the Discseel® Procedure. Now he’s living pain-free and has been able to return to the lifestyle he loves.

 

When Erica began developing spinal pain, she felt that the activities she loved were taken away from her.  Erica now says that the Discseel® Procedure has “100% turned her life around” and allowed her to get back to the things she loves, like running.

ARTICLES ON HERNIATED DISCS

News articles and blog posts by Dr. Pauza & Team

Herniated Discs - The Facts

By Dr. Kevin Pauza

The correct term for this condition is a herniated disc. Incorrect and misused terms include disc protrusion, prolapse, slipped disc, or pinched nerves. Further, disc herniation does not cause symptoms. It is the leaking nucleus pulposus that causes symptoms and weakness. The liquid gel leaking out of discs alongside the herniated disc inflames spinal nerves, causing sciatica and weakness. It’s not the nerve being physically pinched, but leaking gel that causes these symptoms. This is why the MRI appearance often does not correlate with symptoms.

For this reason, when the disc herniation level seen on the MRI matches up with the patient’s symptoms, it’s usually coincidental. The MRI appearance of the herniation is not necessarily reflective of that specific disc causing symptoms. READ MORE

Causes of Herniated Discs

By Dr. Kevin Pauza

A person can avoid developing herniated discs by avoiding flexing forward and rotating whenever possible. This is because forward flexion and rotation place compression and shear forces on the disc’s annulus fibrosus. This causes annular tears which lead to herniated discs. 

Herniations are also unrelated to how much weight one lifts. Rather, what’s important is how one lifts that weight. It’s safe to lift 300 lbs, provided one lifts the correct way without bending forward or twisting. Bending forward and twisting while lifting only 30 lbs is more damaging; causing annular tears and herniated discs. READ MORE

Symptoms and Treatment for Herniated Discs

By Dr. Kevin Pauza

There are many options for treating a herniated disc, but dealing with herniated discs is complex. Any comprehensive procedure needs to restore a significant portion of the original disc height while repairing the annular tear that is causing the nucleus pulposus gel to leak. This is what can make treating herniated discs difficult, and limits the amount of treatment options that will be effective. READ MORE

Pinched Nerve or Something Else?

There are many different terms used to refer to herniated discs, such as a disc protrusion, disc prolapse, ruptured disc, or slipped disc, but the only correct way to refer to this condition is as a herniated disc. Using these other terms to refer to herniated discs will not only confuse patients’ understanding of what herniated discs actually are, but it can also confuse patients’ understanding of what causes pain related to herniated discs, such as a so-called “pinched nerve”. This confusion can result in patients failing to get the proper treatment for their herniation, leading to unnecessary pain and discomfort. READ MORE

See if you are a candidate for the Discseel® Procedure 

photo collage 4

Request a Free Discseel® Evaluation

Schedule your consultation with Kevin Pauza, M.D.

Request a Free Discseel® Evaluation

Schedule your consultation with Travis Foxx, M.D.

Request a Free Discseel® Evaluation

Schedule your consultation with Brandon Tolman, D.O.

Request a Free Discseel® Evaluation

Schedule your consultation with Boris Terebuh, M.D.

Request a Free Discseel® Evaluation

Schedule your consultation with Thierry Bonnabesse, M.D.

Request a Free Discseel® Evaluation

Schedule your consultation with Gregory Lutz, M.D.

Request a Free Discseel® Evaluation

Schedule your consultation with Janet Pearl, M.D.

Request a Free Discseel® Evaluation

Schedule your consultation with Mark Reecer, M.D.

Request a Free Discseel® Evaluation

Schedule your consultation with Dmitry Buyanov, M.D.

Request a Free Discseel® Evaluation

Schedule your consultation with Desmond Hussey, M.D

Request a Free Discseel® Evaluation

Schedule your consultation with Haley Burke, M.D.

Request a Free Discseel® Evaluation

Schedule your consultation with Maxim Moradian, M.D.

Request a Free Discseel® Evaluation

Schedule your consultation with Wendi Lundquist, D.O.

Request a Free Discseel® Evaluation

Schedule your consultation with Yasuyuki Nonaka, M.D.

Request a Free Discseel® Evaluation

Schedule your consultation with Matthias H. Wiederholz, M.D.

Request a Free Discseel® Evaluation

Schedule your consultation with Michael Wolff, M.D.

Kevin Pauza, M.D.

SPECIALTY

  • Disc Biologics
  • Interventional Spine

EDUCATION & DEGREES

  • Fellowship: Interventional Spine, University of Pennsylvania
  • Residency: PM&R, University of Pennsylvania
  • Internship: Surgery & Medicine, Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons
  • Medical Doctorate: Pennsylvania State University College of Medicine
  • Bachelor of Arts: Biology, Lehigh University
  • Bachelor of Arts: Psychology, Lehigh University

CERTIFICATIONS & LICENSES

  • Texas State Medical and Surgical License
  • New York State Medical and Surgical License
  • Florida State Medical and Surgical License

HONORS

  • Lehigh University Four-year Academic Scholarship
  • Magna Cum Laude, Lehigh University
  • Lehigh University President’s Award
  • Lehigh University Tower Society
  • Distinguished Alumnus, Penn State University (selected from 500,000 Penn State alumni)
  • North American Spine Society, Outstanding Paper of the Year, 2003
  • President-Elect, International Spine Intervention Society
  • Founding Partner, Texas Spine and Joint Hospital
  • Commencement Speaker: Penn State University College of Medicine
  • Advisory Board, AMA
    Keynote Speaker, Harvard Pain Center Commencement
  • Founding Chairman, Standards Committee, International Spine Intervention Society
  • Chairman, Spine Committee, Amercian Academy of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation
  • Appointed Spine Advisor, Japanese Prime Minister
  • Appointed Spine Advisor, Allied Royal Families

EXPERIENCE

  • Founding Partner & Principal, Texas Spine & Joint Hospital

Travis Foxx, M.D. - Premier Anesthesiology & Pain

Kevin Pauza, M.D. - Turtle Creek Surgery Center

Prior to attending Penn State University, Dr. Pauza earned his undergraduate degree from Lehigh University, and furthered his training with a Surgical and Medical Internship at Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons. He continued his specialty training at the University of Pennsylvania, followed by an Interventional Spine Fellowship. In addition to his research, philanthropic, and clinical endeavors, Dr. Pauza remains a motivated educator. He established a Spine Fellowship program and continues training physicians from around the world. He heads international committees responsible for establishing standards and educating surgical and non-surgical physicians.

After helping hundreds of patients who failed to experience relief after spine surgery, it became evident to Dr. Pauza that current methods needed to change. This motivated him to seek better ways to help patients, by thinking outside the box.

Dr. Pauza is the first physician in history to pursue FDA approval for using biologics to treat the spine. Millions of patients will benefit from his development of minimally invasive treatments for degenerative disc disease and other more common and serious disorders of the spine.

SPECIALTY

  • Disc Biologics
  • Interventional Spine

EDUCATION & DEGREES

  • Fellowship: Interventional Spine, University of Pennsylvania
  • Residency: PM&R, University of Pennsylvania
  • Internship: Surgery & Medicine, Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons
  • Medical Doctorate: Pennsylvania State University College of Medicine
  • Bachelor of Arts: Biology, Lehigh University
  • Bachelor of Arts: Psychology, Lehigh University

CERTIFICATIONS & LICENSES

  • Texas State Medical and Surgical License
  • New York State Medical and Surgical License
  • Florida State Medical and Surgical License

HONORS

  • Lehigh University Four-year Academic Scholarship
  • Magna Cum Laude, Lehigh University
  • Lehigh University President’s Award
  • Lehigh University Tower Society
  • Distinguished Alumnus, Penn State University (selected from 500,000 Penn State alumni)
  • North American Spine Society, Outstanding Paper of the Year, 2003
  • President-Elect, International Spine Intervention Society
  • Founding Partner, Texas Spine and Joint Hospital
  • Commencement Speaker: Penn State University College of Medicine
  • Advisory Board, AMA
    Keynote Speaker, Harvard Pain Center Commencement
  • Founding Chairman, Standards Committee, International Spine Intervention Society
  • Chairman, Spine Committee, Amercian Academy of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation
  • Appointed Spine Advisor, Japanese Prime Minister
  • Appointed Spine Advisor, Allied Royal Families

EXPERIENCE

  • Founding Partner & Principal, Texas Spine & Joint Hospital

Brandon Tolman, D.O. - Nashville Spine Institute

Boris Terebuh, M.D. - Regenerative Spine & Joint Center

Boris Terebuh, MD specializes in providing personalized nonsurgical solutions for spine problems that interfere with the function patients desire and the independence they deserve. Dr. Terebuh completed his Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation residency training at The Ohio State University in 1997 and has been in solo practice in Ohio since 2001 because he is committed to providing accessible, individualized and attentive care to his patients. His regenerative approach to solving spine problems enhances the body’s natural ability to heal itself. His guiding principle is integrity – doing what is right for patients in a conscientious manner with the motivation of helping them become fully functional, independent and satisfied. Dr. Terebuh is a very unique Medical Doctor because he has earned seven Board Certifications in the field of musculoskeletal medicine and nonsurgical spine care. Boris Terebuh, MD is delighted to be a Discseel® provider because this revolutionary new technology aligns perfectly with his preferred regenerative treatment approach and patient care philosophy. Dr. Terebuh is also grateful to Discseel® developer, Kevin Pauza, MD, for all the years of diligent and meticulous research to create this innovative, paradigm-shifting intervention, which will certainly spare countless individuals the prospect of avoidable spine surgical procedures.

Thierry Bonnabesse, M.D. - Champlain Spine and Pain Management

Gregory Lutz, M.D. - Regenerative Sportscare Institute

Dr. Gregory Lutz is the Founder and Medical Director of the Regenerative SportsCare Institute (RSI). In addition, he currently serves as Physiatrist-In-Chief Emeritus at Hospital for Special Surgery (HSS) and a Professor of Clinical Rehabilitation Medicine at Weill Medical College of Cornell University. Dr. Lutz is one of the world’s leading experts in the field of regenerative interventional orthopedic medicine, appearing annually on Castle Connolly’s and New York Magazine’s “Top Doctors” lists.

Janet Pearl, M.D. - The Boston Stem Cell Center

Dr. Janet Pearl has been in practice since 1999 and is the Medical Director of The Boston Stem Cell Center. She is also the Medical Director of  Complete Spine and Pain Care  an interventional integrated Pain Management practice, both located in Framingham, Massachusetts. Dr. Pearl is Triple Board Certified in Regenerative Medicine, Pain Medicine and Anesthesiology and has over 20 years experience in doing these procedures.

Previously, Dr. Pearl was the Co-Director of the Pain Management Center at St. Elizabeth’s Medical Center, where she was also the Director of the Pain Management Fellowship program.

After graduating from Harvard College with an A.B. in Applied Mathematics with Economics, Dr. Pearl received a M.Sc. in Health Planning and Financing at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine. She then received her M.D. from the Columbia College of Physicians and Surgeons, where she represented the Medical School as a senator in the Columbia University Senate.

Watch Dr Pearl give an introduction to The Boston Stem Cell Center

Dr. Pearl completed her internship in Internal Medicine at New England Deaconess Hospital, her residency in Anesthesiology at the Massachusetts General Hospital, and her fellowship in Pain Management at the Brigham and Women’s Hospital. Dr. Pearl was the first resident ever to serve on the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME)’s Residency Review Committee for Anesthesiology. She is a Joseph Collins Scholar and a Rotary Scholar and was awarded the AMA/Glaxo Welcome and AMA/Burroughs Welcome Resident Leadership Awards.

From 2004 to 2010, Dr. Pearl served on the University of Massachusetts Board of Trustees. While there she chaired the Committee on Science, Technology and Research, was a member of the Committee on Academic and Student Affairs and the Governance Committee and also served as Vice Chair of the Advancement Committee, and as a member of the Committee on Athletics.

Dr. Pearl is Board Certified in Regenerative Medicine, Pain Medicine and Anesthesiology with the American Board of Regenerative Medicine and the American Board of Anesthesiologists.

Memberships:

  • The American Pain Society;
  • The Massachusetts Medical Society;
  • The Massachusetts Society of Anesthesiologists;
  • The Massachusetts Society of Interventional Pain Physicians;
  • The American Society of Anesthesiologists;
  • The American Society of International Pain Physicians;
  • The American Institute of Ultrasound in Medicine; and,
  • The American Board of Regenerative Medicine.

PUBLIC SERVICE:

  • Member, Massachusetts Department of Industrial Accidents, Health Care Services Board 
  • Member of the Association of Harvard College Class Secretaries and Treasurers
  • Past Member of the Board of Directors of the Harvard Alumni Association
  • Former Member of the Board of Trustees University of Massachusetts. (10/2010 – 10/2014) 

Mark Reecer, M.D. - Fort Wayne Physical Medicine

Dr. Mark Reecer is board certified in Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation and Pain Management. He has over 20 years of work comp experience, and he routinely provides Independent Medical Examinations (IMEs) for the Indiana Workers’ Compensation Board. Dr. Reecer has lectured extensively and has authored multiple publications that promote his specialty and the use of treatment modalities to eliminate pain, improve function and avoid surgery.

Dmitry Buyanov, M.D. - IV Infusion Treatment Center

Dr. Buyanov is originally from Kiev, Ukraine. He received his training in Anesthesiology and his Interventional Pain Management Post-Doctoral at Penn State Medical Center, PA. Dr. Buyanov moved to San Antonio in 2003 at which time he was part of a multi-specialty group before he founded Premier Pain Consultants in 2004. His practice has over 5000 active patients in his practice. Dr. Buyanov treats his patients in a cost-effective manner although giving them the best care with interventional pain treatments/procedure to help each patient improve their quality of life. Dr. Buyanov strongly believes in an individualized and multidisciplinary approach to pain management, he believes in the Buddhist saying: “pain is inevitable but suffering is optional”. He works closely with the area internists, physical therapists, chiropractors, psychiatrists, neurologists, and spine surgeons to insure that each patient has the most optimal individualized treatment plan. Dr. Buyanov enjoys spending his spare time with his children.

Desmond Hussey, M.D. - NASA Neuroscience and Spine Associates. P.L

Dr. Hussey earned his undergraduate degree from Dartmouth College, and proceeded to earn his Medical Degree from The University of Miami School of Medicine. He then attended Northwestern University Internal Medicine Program, followed by a Neurology Residency Program at Emory University. Dr. Hussey continued his specialty training at John Hopkins University pain clinic. A member of The Spinal Injection Society and The American Academy of Neurology and Psychiatry.

Haley Burke, M.D. - Colorado Rehabilitation and Occupational Medicine

Dr. Burke is board-certified in both Interventional Pain Management and Neurology and has completed an accredited Pain Fellowship with the Department of Anesthesiology at MD Anderson Cancer Center, one of the nation’s most prestigious hospitals. Dr. Burke completed her residency in Neurology at the University of Colorado, where she received the department’s ‘Excellence in Teaching’ award during her year as Chief Resident. Her Doctor of Medicine degree was completed at the University of Texas Health Science Center, where she was elected to the ‘Gold Humanism Honor Society.’

Maxim Moradian, M.D. - Interventional Spine Care & Orthopedic Regenerative Experts

Dr. Moradian is triple-board certified in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (PM&R), Sports Medicine and Pain Management. Dr. Moradian’s clinical practice is devoted to the comprehensive care of spine, joint, muscle, tendon, ligament, and peripheral nerve disorders. He is proficient in performing advanced, minimally-invasive procedures under fluoroscopic and/or ultrasound guidance in the entire spine. Dr. Moradian performs electrodiagnostic testing (EMG/NCS) for the accurate diagnosis of muscle and/or nerve disorders. He has a special interest in regenerative medicine, sports concussions, neuromuscular ultrasound, medical education, and clinical research. His true passion is to treat his patients like his family and friends.

Wendi Lundquist, D.O. - Active Life Physical Medicine & Pain Center

Dr. Lundquist is the Medical Director and founder of Active Life Physical Medicine & Pain Center, Innovative Surgery Center, and Regena Spa. She is dual board certified in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation along with Pain Management and a diplomat with the American Board of Pain Medicine. She completed her training at Loyola University in Chicago, Illinois in July of 2005. During her time there, she served as Chief Resident and was involved in several research projects. Prior to, she completed medical school at Midwestern University at the Arizona College of Osteopathic Medicine campus in Glendale, Arizona and internship at Doctors Hospital in Massillon, Ohio. She also has a Bachelor of Science in Biology and minor in Chemistry from the University of New Mexico in Albuquerque. She has a special interest in sports medicine, pain and spine. With 17 years experience, she has great enthusiasm towards regenerative medicine.

Yasuyuki Nonaka, M.D. - Nonaka Lumbago Clinic

Haley Burke, M.D. - Colorado Rehabilitation & Occupational Medicine

Dr. Burke is board-certified in both Interventional Pain Management and Neurology and has completed an accredited Pain Fellowship with the Department of Anesthesiology at MD Anderson Cancer Center, one of the nation’s most prestigious hospitals. Dr. Burke completed her residency in Neurology at the University of Colorado, where she received the department’s ‘Excellence in Teaching’ award during her year as Chief Resident. Her Doctor of Medicine degree was completed at the University of Texas Health Science Center, where she was elected to the ‘Gold Humanism Honor Society.’

Haley Burke, M.D. - Colorado Rehabilitation & Occupational Medicine

Dr. Burke is board-certified in both Interventional Pain Management and Neurology and has completed an accredited Pain Fellowship with the Department of Anesthesiology at MD Anderson Cancer Center, one of the nation’s most prestigious hospitals. Dr. Burke completed her residency in Neurology at the University of Colorado, where she received the department’s ‘Excellence in Teaching’ award during her year as Chief Resident. Her Doctor of Medicine degree was completed at the University of Texas Health Science Center, where she was elected to the ‘Gold Humanism Honor Society.’

Matthias H. Wiederholz, M.D. - Performance Pain and Sports Medicine

Founding Partner, Triple Board Certified – Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation; Sports Medicine; Anti-Aging, Regenerative & Functional Medicine

Dr. Matthias H. Wiederholz is cofounder of Performance Spine & Sports Medicine, LLC. He is a fellowship-trained interventional pain physician whose clinical interests include: Interventional Pain Management, Sports Medicine, Musculoskeletal Medicine, Minimally-Invasive Spine Surgery, Non-Surgical Orthopedics, and Anti-Aging / Functional Medicine.

He received his specialty training in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation at Baylor College of Medicine in Houston, Texas where he served as chief resident. He completed fellowship training in Interventional Pain Management in Marietta, Georgia. He is board-certified in Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation and Sports Medicine. He also received advanced fellowship training through the American Academy of Anti-Aging Medicine and is board-certified in Anti-Aging, Regenerative & Functional Medicine.

Dr. Wiederholz performs a myriad of interventional pain procedures including, but not limited to the following: epidural steroid injections, facet joint injections, radiofrequency ablation, sacroiliac joint injections, discography, percutaneous disc decompression, epidural lysis of adhesions spinal cord stimulator implants, and minimally-invasive discectomies. Endoscopic spine surgery is a very unique and valuable tool in his armamentarium and makes Dr. Wiederholz one of the most specialized physicians in the field of Pain Medicine.

Dr. Wiederholz uses musculoskeletal ultrasound in the diagnosis of musculoskeletal injuries. He incorporates ultrasound for precise injection therapy including cortisone injections, prolotherapy, and PRP (platelet rich plasma). This technology is also utilized to perform the Tenex procedure, a percutaneous procedure for treating chronic tendon pain (tennis elbow, rotator cuff, plantar fasciitis, etc).

Dr. Wiederholz is the fellowship director for the sports and spine fellowship at Performance Spine & Sports Medicine. Dr. Wiederholz holds an affiliation with Capital Health System and JFK Johnson Rehabilitation Institute.

Being advanced fellowship trained in Anti-Aging, Regenerative & Functional Medicine means that Dr. Wiederholz has the most advanced training in Anti-Aging Medicine available. He is a leading expert in Bio-Identical Hormone Restoration and helps patients achieve wellness through nutrition, lifestyle, and hormone therapies.

Request a Free Discseel® Evaluation

Schedule your consultation

Michael Wolff, M.D. - Southwest Spine & Sports