Question 1

What is the Discseel® Procedure?

Accepted Answer

Discseel® is a minimally invasive, biologic procedure that uses fibrin to seal annular tears and support disc healing. It aims to preserve motion in both cervical and lumbar discs and does not require hardware or fusion.

Question 2

What conditions does Discseel® treat?

Accepted Answer

Discseel® treats lumbar and cervical disc tears, internal disc disruption, annular fissures, and discogenic neck or low back pain confirmed through imaging and clinical evaluation.

Question 3

Is Discseel® FDA approved?

Accepted Answer

Fibrin sealant is FDA approved for surgical use, but the Discseel® Procedure is an off-label application of fibrin within the disc, which is common in spine and interventional pain medicine.

Question 4

How long does the Discseel® Procedure last?

Accepted Answer

Many patients experience long-term symptom improvement as fibrin seals tears, reduces leakage, and supports disc healing. Outcomes vary based on disc degeneration, spine health, and adherence to post-procedure guidance.

Question 5

Can Discseel® be used for cervical discs?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Discseel® can be used in both the cervical and lumbar spine, allowing biologic repair across multiple levels when medically appropriate.

Question 6

Is Discseel® an alternative to fusion surgery?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Discseel® was developed as a motion-preserving biologic alternative to fusion, which permanently eliminates motion at the treated level. Discseel® aims to repair the disc and maintain mobility when safe to do so.

Question 7

Can Discseel® help if I have already had spine surgery?

Accepted Answer

Discseel® may be considered for patients with persistent discogenic pain after prior procedures such as microdiscectomy or fusion, depending on imaging and clinical findings.

Question 8

What is recovery like after Discseel®?

Accepted Answer

Most patients return to light activity within days. Disc healing and biologic stabilization continue over several weeks, with progressive improvement guided by the treating physician.

Question 9

What are the risks of the Discseel® Procedure?

Accepted Answer

Potential risks may include infection, bleeding, allergic reaction, temporary pain increase, or lack of improvement. Discseel® avoids hardware and fusion-related complications because no implants or plates are used.

Question 10

Does insurance cover the Discseel® Procedure?

Accepted Answer

Coverage varies by insurer. Some plans consider the procedure investigational, while others may cover components of evaluation or treatment. Benefit verification is recommended.

Question 11

How is Discseel® different from Intradiscal Fibrin Therapy (IFT)?

Accepted Answer

Discseel® uses fibrin to seal disc tears. Intradiscal Fibrin Therapy (IFT) uses similar biologic principles within a standardized, payer-approved protocol. IFT is approved by Optum and TRICARE and represents a modern evolution of fibrin-based disc repair.

Question 12

How do I know if I am a candidate for Discseel®?

Accepted Answer

Ideal candidates typically have MRI-confirmed annular tears or disc leakage, discogenic pain, and no severe instability or high-grade compression requiring open decompression. A consultation and imaging review are required to confirm candidacy.

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