VIA Disc

If you have degenerative disc disease (DDD) or discogenic pain, then you know just how challenging the daily lower back pain that comes with it can be. With no way to prevent disc degeneration, many sufferers fear they must live with the inevitable chronic pain forever.

Fortunately, VIA Disc offers renewed hope, not just for easing the discomfort, but also for reversing the damage and repairing the discs from within. This advanced biologic treatment is a non-surgical alternative for patients struggling with persistent pain in the lower back arising from DDD.

What is a VIA Disc?

VIA Disc is a non-surgical, biologic therapy designed to treat DDD by replenishing key proteins and nutrients within damaged spinal discs. The treatment involves injecting a specialized allogeneic (donor) cell-based formulation made of nucleus pulposus (NP) cells and disc matrix into the affected disc to promote hydration, improve structural integrity and disc height, and reduce pain and inflammation.

The Benefits of VIA Disc for Degenerative Disc Disease (DDD)

Unlike surgery or long-term medication use, VIA Disc is a minimally invasive, biologic therapy that helps restore disc function and slow disease progression without significant downtime.

Some other benefits of VIA disc include:

Non-surgical alternative: Reduces the need for spinal fusion or disc replacement
Targets the source of pain: Helps restore disc integrity rather than just relieving symptoms
Long-lasting relief: Supports disc hydration and function for sustained improvement
Outpatient procedure: Quick treatment with minimal disruption to daily life
Reduces dependency on pain medications: Lowers the need for opioids or other drugs
Improves mobility and function: Helps patients return to daily activities with less pain

Conditions Commonly Treated by VIA Disc

Degenerative disc diseases and discogenic pain are two of the most commonly treated conditions with VIA disc. These disc-related conditions and situations may be treated with the VIA disc, including:

Chronic Low Back Pain: Persistent back pain is often linked to DDD. VIA Disc targets the underlying disc degeneration rather than just masking symptoms with pain medications.
Mild to Moderate Disc Degeneration: Early-stage to mid-stage disc wear where the disc is still structurally intact but showing signs of deterioration.
Loss of Disc Hydration: Dehydrated discs lose their ability to cushion the spine properly. VIA Disc replenishes key proteins and nutrients to restore hydration and improve function.
Limited Mobility Due to Disc Degeneration: Patients experiencing stiffness and restricted movement due to disc wear may benefit from VIA Disc’s ability to restore disc flexibility and cushioning.

What to Expect During a VIA Disc NP Treatment

The VIA Disc NP treatment is performed as an outpatient procedure, typically taking less than an hour. The patient is first positioned comfortably, and a local anesthetic is applied to the targeted area to minimize discomfort. Moderate IV sedation can also be used.

Using fluoroscopic (X-ray) guidance, the physician carefully inserts a fine needle into the center of the affected disc and injects the VIA Disc NP formulation to restore disc hydration and integrity, increase disc height, and reduce pain and inflammation. Since the procedure is minimally invasive, no incisions or sutures are needed.

After the procedure, patients are monitored briefly before being discharged the same day. Mild soreness or stiffness at the injection site is common but typically resolves within a few days, and most patients can resume light activities within 24 to 72 hours.

VIA Disc Recovery Timeline

After receiving a VIA disc, patients may experience some discomfort and pain, which is typical. This discomfort might be caused by increased pressure within the intervertebral disc. Pain relief typically occurs over a few weeks and may continue over several months.

It’s essential to follow the doctor’s directions during this time. Some patients might be advised to limit activity to the typical activities of everyday life and to limit more strenuous physical activity for 72 hours post-procedure.

The doctor might also recommend certain medications to manage any discomfort. Additionally, the doctor might recommend a back brace or suggest physical therapy treatment to make you feel more comfortable following your treatment.

Who is a Candidate for VIA Disc?

Not everyone with lower back pain is a good candidate for VIA Disc treatment. This therapy is specifically designed for patients with degenerative disc disease and disc-related pain, rather than those with advanced disc collapse, nerve-related pain, facet arthritis, severe spinal instability, or other structural spinal issues like scoliosis.

You may be a candidate for the VIA disc if you have:

Been diagnosed with degenerative disc disease: VIA Disc for patients with mild to moderate DDD.
Persistent lower back pain: Ideal for individuals with chronic disc-related pain that hasn’t responded to conservative treatments like physical therapy, medications, and other injections.
Discogenic pain confirmed by imaging: MRI or other diagnostic imaging should confirm disc degeneration as the source of pain.
Seeking a non-surgical treatment option: VIA Disc is ideal for those looking to avoid invasive spinal procedures like fusion or disc replacement.
Overall good health: Candidates should not have significant underlying conditions that could interfere with the body’s ability to heal.

A spine specialist at Desert Spine and Sports Physicians can determine if VIA Disc is the right solution based on medical history, imaging, and symptom severity.

Combat Disc-Related Lower-Back Pain Today—Contact Desert Spine and Sports Physicians

Don’t let disc degeneration define your life. If you’ve been struggling with chronic lower back pain due to age-related wear and tear on your lumbar discs, we invite you to request an appointment at one of our six convenient locations today.

The board-certified physicians at Desert Spine and Sports Physicians are experts in non-surgical spine medicine to reduce pain and improve function effectively. They will work with you to find the non-surgical treatment method, whether VIA disc or another treatment, that’s right for you.

Phoenix Office

3700 N 24th Street, Ste 210.

Phoenix, AZ 85016

Mesa Office

6634 E. Baseline Rd., Suite 101

Mesa, AZ 85206

Scottsdale Office

8670 E Shea Blvd Suite 102

Scottsdale, AZ 85260

Gilbert Office

3615 S Rome St.

Gilbert, AZ 85297