The Via Disc NP procedure is gaining traction as a minimally invasive alternative to steroid injections and spinal fusion for patients with chronic low back pain caused by degenerative discs.
The procedure involves injecting a purified gel derived from donated disc tissue into the affected disc. The proteins help rehydrate the disc, restoring its ability to absorb shock and reduce pressure on surrounding tissues.
“We’re not necessarily regenerating anything,” Prasanth Nuthakki, MD, a physical medicine and rehabilitation physician at Franciscan Health Pain Management Center in Dyer, Ind., told Becker’s. “We’re replacing diseased and dehydrated discs with healthy proteins to help them suck back up water and absorb shock better.”
Traditionally, patients with discogenic pain had limited treatment options. After confirming a disc was the pain source, physicians often turned to removing it or performing a spinal fusion. Dr. Nuthakki explained that Via Disc NP fills the gap between injections and surgery.
“This gives us a way to prevent or at least delay surgery while restoring function,” Dr. Nuthakki said.
So far, outcomes have been encouraging. While not every patient experiences dramatic pain relief, Dr. Nuthakki said nearly all have noticed improvements in their ability to function.
“They may not always see a big change in pain scores,” he said, “but they can tolerate more activity, sit longer or bend and garden before the pain starts interfering again.”
The outpatient procedure is performed under local anesthesia with minimal downtime.
“There’s no surgery and literally no downtime,” Dr. Nuthakki said. “Most patients are back to normal activity the next day.”
The main barrier is payer coverage. Commercial insurers still consider Via Disc NP investigational, though Medicare covers the procedure, according to Dr. Nuthakki.
Looking ahead, he expects Via Disc NP to be part of a larger trend in spine care toward regenerative and less invasive approaches.
“There’s a big push into regenerative medicine, especially with more studies coming out regarding [platelet-rich plasma], bone marrow aspirate and adipose tissue,” he said. “The holy grail is to get things back to original functionality, rather than fuse something or Band-Aid it.”
