FAQ's
CONSULTATION
Patients will be taller because the disc is going to grow. They will have less pain, so they may have to stop taking their pain medicine because they won't need it. Lastly, patients will become more active because they don't have the pain that prevented them in the past. After thousands of surgeries, we have had no long-term or serious negative side effects from the DISCSEEL® Procedure.
How do I know if I'm a candidate for the DISCSEEL® Procedure?
Any person with long-lasting low back pain is a potential candidate. A person with low back pain who's had surgery or a person with low back pain who prefers to avoid surgery is a potential candidate, because the cushion in the back, known as the disc, is the most common cause of low back pain.
What is the average cost of the DISCSEEL® Procedure?
While a specific amount can't be given until the doctor evaluates your case, DISCSEEL® Procedure generally costs less than 25% of what a spinal fusion would cost.
Is the DISCSEEL® Procedure covered by Insurance?
The DISCSEEL® Procedure is not currently covered by insurance.
What if I've had failed procedures in the past?
That's okay, and it's a situation that many of our patients are in. They've had prior surgery, they've had fusions, and they've had metal inserted into their backs. That's what we work with, and our goal is to help you have a pain-free life.
What are the most common causes of lower back pain?
The cushions in the lower back are called discs, and the disc is the most common cause of lower back pain. We know the discs can be injured, degenerated, bulged, and herniated. These conditions need to be corrected, and the best way to correct them is to correct them naturally – not to add hardware, plates, rods, or screws. In the long term, these do not help the patient.
What is the success rate?
Based on preliminary data we have collected thus far, we know roughly 70% of patients treated with the Fibrin DISCSEEL® Procedure who previously had a failed spinal procedure reported a better outcome in their condition and a positive reduction in pain and function. Recall that these patients have failed all or most other treatment options. "Better" is defined as getting better in both function and in pain/symptoms.
How many times do I have to come back for repeat procedures?
The goal is that you only have the procedure once. About 10% of patients return because they either tear the disc again, or they saw some improvement and feel trying it again may give them even better outcomes improvement. On occasion, a patient who does not get better, we offer to help them by considering other options such as diagnostic tests, and if related to disc pain, perhaps trying another biologic such as lumbar PRP or stem cells (harvested from the patient's Bone Marrow)
Why is the DISCSEEL® Procedure not FDA-approved?
It takes millions of dollars to approach the FDA to seek approval. To date, we have not made any attempts to approach the FDA because of the costs. We are considering seeking FDA approval once we have trained other physicians to do the procedure, and once the DISCSEEL®procedure is offered in many locations. This would allow us to collect very useful data from multiple sites while sourcing the funds needed to apply for FDA approval. Feel good knowing this is an FDA-approved biologic that we use off-label, analogous to spine epidural corticosteroid injections. Those spine epidural injections are not FDA-approved. However, they are always done, and insurance even covers them. Interesting!
Are there any risks or negative side effects associated with the DISCSEEL® Procedure?
AFTER THE DISCSEEL® PROCEDURE
We prefer patients to begin walking within a few days after the procedure and continue a daily walking regimen as a lifestyle. We would like patients to avoid bed rest except for the first night. We want them to rest in a local hotel unless they live nearby and can rest at home. We would like all patients to avoid flexion (bending over) and rotation (twisting) of the lumbar spine when possible. We remind them that something got them into this position, which was likely a continuous motion of compressive (flexion) and shear (rotation) forces on the discs over time, so we encourage them to avoid activities involving flexion and rotation.
When can I return to exercising?
You may begin walking a couple of days after the procedure. We do not want you on bed rest. Discs get their nutrients through osmosis, so we encourage all patients to begin walking in small spurts, usually on days 2-3 after the procedure. For the first 4-6 weeks, we encourage walking daily. After the first 4-6 weeks, depending on the patient's symptoms, they may add other activities into their exercise regimen, but only at a 10% level, and see how they feel afterward. Based on how they feel at a 10% level, hold there for a few weeks, and slowly add to it as they feel better. Use a common-sense approach.
Can I still see my chiropractor?
While we do not tell a patient "no", we ask that patients only use decompression. Do not receive side posture adjustments
Can I have a massage right after the procedure?
Yes, you may have a massage one week post-procedure. You may want to avoid a deep tissue massage for the first couple of weeks, but a normal massage is okay. Make sure your massage therapist does not stretch you.
When may I return to seeing my chiropractor?
You may go back to your chiropractor for follow-up care shortly after the procedure, so long as they do not manipulate your spine in any way. Please avoid all "popping" and manipulation of your spine. Manipulating the spine may tear a disc if the chiropractor places shear forces on the discs. We like chiropractors and think they are great for offering post-operative care (same with a physical therapist). If you consider returning to their care, do so at your discretion, but please ask them to avoid ALL shear and compressive forces on the lumbar and cervical spine.
Have there been any adverse reactions in patients after using Fibrin?
In more than 10 years of using the specific brand of FDA-approved Fibrin we are currently using, we have never had any adverse reactions or serious events in any patient.
How long will I be off work?
Most patients return to work after about 3-5 days. However, if you need more time off, speak to your physician to see if they can write a letter on your behalf to allow you additional time off from work. We strongly advise patients to avoid heavy lifting for 4-6 weeks.
How long after the procedure can I go home?
Patients are free to leave if accompanied by someone after they leave the post-op area. We strongly advise that the patient does NOT drive himself or herself home. Most patients are in post-op for about 30 to 60 min.
Will my discs plump back up to their original youthful size?
While some patients' discs immediately plump back up, our goal is not to plump up the discs; rather, our goal is to promote regeneration of spine tissue where tears reside, thus stopping the disc that has inflamed the spinal nerves and nociceptors (nerves that live within the outer portion of the disc) from leaking.
How long does it take for the patient to begin feeling relief?
Based on our research, most of our patients "turn the corner" in 3-6 months. However, many patients feel better several weeks following the procedure, and a minority of patients feel better as late as 8-12 months. So it's important to recognize, based on past research, that we won't know the full outcome of the patient's procedure until one year out, so set the expectations that we do not expect them to "turn the corner for many months."
What type of exercise can I do after the procedure?
GENERAL QUESTIONS
The average patient is in their mid-50s. However, we have treated patients as young as 15 and patients in their early 90s. Our primary demographic is mid-50-year-old males; however, we also treat many female patients.
What's the average age of your patients?
ADDRESS
801 SE 6th Ave.
Suite #101
Delray Beach, FL 33483
Suite #101
Delray Beach, FL 33483
PHONE
(561) 599-1883
OFFICE HOURS
Monday - Friday : 9:00 am - 6:00 pm
Saturday - Sunday : Closed
Saturday - Sunday : Closed