Degenerative disc disease (DDD), also referred to as spine arthritis, is a common condition that affects an estimated 80% of people at some point in their lives. It is caused by the natural deterioration of the discs between the spinal vertebrae, leading to pain and discomfort in the back or neck.
While traditional treatments for this condition involve medication, physical therapy, and surgery, many patients are now turning to regenerative medicine as a safer, more effective alternative.
That’s because surgical treatments for DDD, such as spinal fusion and disc replacement, do not reverse the condition, but rather can lead to more pain and dysfunction in the long run. Also, surgery permanently alters the anatomy of the spine and is associated with numerous risks and side effects.
Instead, regenerative medicine treatments harness the body’s natural healing processes to repair damaged or diseased tissues. They are particularly effective for sufferers of degenerative disc disease because they target the root cause of the condition, rather than just treating the symptoms.
Regenerative Treatment Options for DDD
One of the most popular options for patients who suffer from degenerative disc disease is Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) therapy, which involves taking a sample of the patient’s blood, isolating the platelets, and injecting them back into the affected disc. Platelets contain growth factors that stimulate tissue repair and the regeneration of damaged tissue.
Another popular treatment option is Stem Cell Therapy. This involves extracting stem cells from the patient’s own bone marrow and injecting them back into the affected area. The stem cells then work to regenerate damaged tissue and promote healing. This therapy, which has the potential to revolutionize the treatment of a wide range of conditions, aims to alleviate pain, restore disc function, and improve overall quality of life.
In addition, there is ozone disc therapy, a minimally invasive treatment for disc herniations in which medical-grade ozone gas is injected into the affected disc. As a super-charged form of oxygen, ozone is known to shrink the herniated portion of the affected disc, thus reducing inflammation and improving circulation while helping to accelerate the healing process and relieving painful symptoms. Besides treating lumbar and cervical disc herniations, ozone disc injection therapy has been found to be effective in other spinal conditions, including sciatica and spinal stenosis.
Considered a safe and effective alternative to surgery, ozone disc injection therapy is performed under local anesthesia with mild sedation with minimal downtime and recovery. Patients can resume their normal activities within the same day and experience significant pain relief in a relatively short time. Moreover, clinical research has proven that the effectiveness of ozone disc injection therapy is sustainable and long-lasting.
Yet another minimally invasive solution to irritated intervertebral discs is Methylene Blue disc injections. Methylene Blue is a low-molecular-weight chemical dye with anti-inflammatory properties shown to be effective in minimizing low back pain.
Degenerative Disc Disease Treatment in Caldwell, New Jersey
At Alternative Disc Therapy, Dr. Warren J. Bleiweiss offers a variety of regenerative treatments for degenerative disc disease, including:
- Ozone disc injection therapy for disc herniations
- Stem cell disc injections using the patient’s own bone marrow, which is harvested at the time of the procedure
- Methylene Blue disc injections, in which the solution is injected directly into a degenerative spinal disc
- PRP disc injections, in which your own platelet-rich growth factors are injected into the bones of the spine and discs affected by degeneration
- PRP injections for facet joint arthritis, which involves injecting your own PRP or bone marrow into a painful degenerative facet joint
While the effectiveness of these regenerative treatments may vary depending on the individual case, many patients have reported significant pain relief, improved disc function, and an enhanced quality of life after undergoing these procedures.
Not only is Dr. Bleiweiss triple-board certified, but he is recognized as a leading expert on the treatment of disc herniations, having pioneered the outpatient oxygen-ozone disc injection procedure in the United States. With more than 35 years of experience in treating painful spine conditions, Dr. Bleiweiss is eminently qualified to provide you with an effective, tailored treatment plan aimed at relieving your back and/or neck pain. Which is why patients come from all over North America to seek his care.
To find out if our regenerative treatments for degenerative disc disease can address your issues, call us today at (973) 403-3334. To schedule an in-office or online consultation with Dr. Bleiweiss, fill out our interactive request an appointment form.
