VIA Disc® NP for Treating Low Back Pain

Low back pain (LBP) is one of the most common ailments, with over 600 million people globally dealing with some level of back pain.[1] Degenerative disc disease (DDD) is a leading cause of LBP, impacting about 40% of people in their 40s and up to 80% of those aged 80 or older. [2] Discogenic pain can limit your ability to move, work or enjoy your favorite hobbies.

If you’re struggling with LBP due to degenerating discs, VIA Disc® NP may be an option. This innovative orthobiological procedure reverses damage and naturally repairs intervertebral discs from the inside without surgery.

What is the VIA Disc NP?

VIA Disc® NP (nucleus pulposus) is a revolutionary, nonsurgical treatment that uses natural materials to repair and regenerate damaged spinal discs. As an allograft transplant, tissue or cells are transferred from a donor to a recipient to restore function and reduce pain.[3]

Age-related disc wear causes dehydration and degeneration, leading to pain, restricted movement, and reduced quality of life. VIA Disc delivers allogeneic tissue directly into damaged discs, promoting healing and repair.[4] Growth factors and cells are introduced to help rehydrate and regenerate the disc, supporting its cushioning and structural functions.[5]

Unlike traditional treatments focusing on pain relief, VIA Disc NP addresses degenerative tissue loss.[5] This cutting-edge alternative stimulates the body’s natural healing, helping to avoid invasive surgeries and reduce the use of pain medications.

VIA Disc NP Key Features

The benefits of an allograft transplant make it a stand-out procedure to treat discogenic pain. According to Vivex Biologics, the developer of VIA Disc NP, these are the key features:

• Minimally Invasive: A simple injection delivers healing biologic material rather than open surgery repairs, reducing risks and downtime.
• Ease of Use: “Off the shelf” allogenic material is already sourced from donors and ready to inject.
• Supplements the Disc: The allograft mimics the natural healing properties of healthy tissue by absorbing water, restoring the nucleus pulposus’s cushioning ability, supporting its biomechanical function, relieving pain and improving mobility.
• Proprietary Container for Allograft Preparation: The allograft is mixed in a sealed container to ensure consistency and reduce contamination risk.

What Should I Expect During My VIA Disc Procedure?

Using guided imagery (fluoroscopy), a needle is inserted into the disc’s center to deliver the allograft.[6] You may experience some brief soreness at the injection site but can return to regular daily activity with no strenuous activity for 3 days.

When Will I Notice the Results?

Results after your NP allograft may take time as the disc repairs itself. Many patients notice pain reduction and improved mobility within a few weeks, with continued improvement over the following months. A patient experiencing discogenic pain after lumbar fusion surgery reported an 80% reduction in her lower back pain only 4 weeks after her injection.[7]

Clinical trials show that most patients treated with VIA Disc NP experienced lasting back pain relief for up to three years, with about 60% reporting their pain reduced by half or more and over 70% improving significantly in movement and function.[8]

Your results will depend on the severity of your condition and your body’s healing process.

Am I a Candidate for Nucleus Pulposus Allograft?

You may be a good candidate for allogeneic tissue injections if:

• You suffer from chronic lower back pain caused by DDD or discogenic pain.
• Your pain hasn’t responded to conservative treatments like medication or physical therapy.
• Surgeries like lumbar fusion haven’t provided pain relief or improved mobility.
• Interventional pain management options like steroid injections or nerve blocks have failed.
• You want to avoid or delay riskier, invasive surgical solutions.

Your doctor will thoroughly evaluate your condition, health and medical history to determine your eligibility for VIA Disc® NP injections.

Managing Your DDD with VIA Disc Treatment

If lower back pain prevents you from living your life, VIA Disc NP may be a promising biological therapeutic solution for relief and improved function. By targeting the root cause of your pain and stimulating disc regrowth, this innovative option can help you regain mobility and improve the quality of your life.

Consult a reputable pain management clinic to learn if VIA Disc® NP is a treatment option for your back pain. Your pain specialist will work with you and your healthcare team to find the best solution so you can get back to enjoying your life pain-free.

Resources:

1. Low back pain. World Health Organization [Internet]. Published June 19, 2023. Accessed December 09, 2024. Available from: https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/low-back-pain
2. Medical Advisory Secretariat. Artificial discs for lumbar and cervical degenerative disc disease -update: an evidence-based analysis. Ont Health Technol Assess Ser [Internet]. 2006;6(10):1-98. Accessed December 09, 2024. Available from: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23074480/
3. Ryding S. What are Allograft Transplants? News-Medical Life Sciences [Internet]. Published August 19, 2020. Accessed December 09, 2024. Available from: https://www.news-medical.net/health/What-are-Allograft-Transplants.aspx
4. Allograft Injection for Degenerative Disc Disease. South Carolina Blues [Internet]. Published 2024. Accessed December 09, 2024. Available from: https://www.southcarolinablues.com/web/public/brands/medicalpolicy/external-policies/allograft-injection-for-degenerative-disc-disease/
5. VIA Disc – Allograft Supplementation for Degenerated Lumbar Intervertebral Discs. Vivex Biologics [Internet]. Accessed December 09, 2024. Available from: https://www.ijssurgery.com/sites/default/files/additional-assets/AllograftSuppl.pdf
6. Beall DP, Wilson GL, Bishop R, Tally W. VAST Clinical Trial: Safely Supplementing Tissue Lost to Degenerative Disc Disease. Int J Spine Surg [Internet]. 2020 Apr 30;14(2):239-253. doi: 10.14444/7033. PMID: 32355632; PMCID: PMC7188098. Accessed December 09, 2024. Available from: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7188098/
7. Myers TJ. Successful Intradiscal Treatment of Adjacent Segment with VIA Disc® NP allograft In a 65-year-old woman with L4-Sacrum Laminectomy and Posterior Fusion. American Society of Interventional Pain Physicians© [Internet]. Volume 6, Number 6, pp. 229-233. Accessed December 09, 2024. Available from: https://www.painmedicine-casereports.com/current/pdf?article=NjAw&journal=39
8. Thompson D. Cell Injections Show Promise Against Chronic Back Pain. Health Day [Internet]. Published March 06, 2023. Accessed December 09, 2024. Available from: https://www.healthday.com/health-news/health-technology/chronic-back-pain-2659447209.html