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The Discseel® Procedure
/ Treatment Overview

What the Discseel® Procedure Is

The Discseel® Procedure

Developed by a team centered on United States (Texas) spine specialist Dr. Kevin Pauza, the Discseel® Procedure has been used clinically to treat spinal conditions since 2010. As of 2021, the treatment has been conducted in around 5000 cases, and has shown 3 distinguished features that are not associated with surgical treatments like discectomy, disc decompression, and fusion.

  • Unlike surgery or stem cell transplantation, it can repair and regenerate intervertebral discs.
  • Because treatment is completed with just an inserted needle and local anesthesia, it can be done as an outpatient.
  • It can be used to treat patients who are not seen to improve after spinal surgery or whose symptoms have recurred.
Dr. Kevin Pauza / Dr. Yasuyuki Nonaka / Discseel licensed

Since June 2018 Dr. Yasuyuki Nonaka has been licensed by Dr. Kevin Pauza to perform the Discseel® Procedure. At present, NLC Nonaka Lumbago Clinic is the only medical institution in Japan that can provide this non surgical regenerative spine procedure.

Treatable Conditions

Treatable Conditions

  • Disc Herniation
  • Spinal Stenosis
  • Intervertebral Disc Degeneration
  • Spondylolisthesis
  • Spondylolytic Spondylolisthesis
  • Spondylolysis
  • Lumbar Vertebrae Instability Symptom
  • Lumbar Scoliosis

Who can be a candidate for the treatment?

  • Those suffering from herniated discs, spinal stenosis, sciatica, spondylolisthesis, or other low back pain.
  • Those whose intervertebral discs have lost water content and collapsed.
  • Those troubled by low back pain caused by intervertebral disc deformity.
  • Those who do not want to have a surgery like MED (endoscopic intervertebral disc ablation), spinal fusion, or artificial disc replacement.
  • Those who have undergone MED (endoscopic intervertebral disc ablation), spinal fusion, or another surgery but have not improved or whose symptoms have recurred.
  • Those who do not want to be hospitalized for back pain surgery.
  • Those who are hoping for treatment that doesn’t take such a toll on the body.
  • Those who would like to play more golf or other sports in their everyday lives but can’t because of back or leg pain.

We can also treat elderly patients ( 80 years or above ).

The Benefits of Undergoing the Discseel® Procedure

Improvement of intervertebral discs’ Buffer (Cushion) Function

Improvement of intervertebral discs’ Buffer (Cushion) Function

The Discseel® Procedure can be used to relieve a variety of lower back symptoms by improving the function of intervertebral discs that have been worn out due to aging, overuse or dehydration.

Outpatient Treatment That Takes Less of a Toll

Outpatient Treatment That Takes Less of a Toll

Treatment takes about 25 minutes. You will be able to walk 30 minutes after treatment, and you can go home in 60 minutes.

New, Non-Surgical Treatment

New, Non-Surgical Treatment

The Discseel® Procedure is an alternative treatment for people who are considering spinal fusion or who have undergone spinal fusion without improving.

Treatment of Damage to Intervertebral Discs by the Discseel® Procedure

After numbing the area with a local anesthetic, we place a 0.8 mm (paracentesis) needle into the intervertebral disc. Because we use an X-ray fluoroscope at this time, the possibility of nerve damage is extremely small.

The presence or absence of intervertebral disc damage is made evident through contrast radiography.
The presence or absence of intervertebral disc damage is made evident through contrast radiography.
Medicine is injected into the damaged part of the intervertebral disc.
Medicine is injected into the damaged part of the intervertebral disc.
Allergic reaction to or side effects of the medicine are extremely rare.
Allergic reaction to or side effects of the medicine are extremely rare.
A cracked intervertebral disc
A cracked intervertebral disc
A needle is inserted into the cracked intervertebral disc, and medicine is injected.
A needle is inserted into the cracked intervertebral disc, and medicine is injected.
Allergic reaction to or side effects of the medicine are extremely rare.
Allergic reaction to or side effects of the medicine are extremely rare.
The intervertebral disc is repaired and regenerated.
The intervertebral disc is repaired and regenerated.

Treatment Time

Treatment
Time
approx. 25 minutes

You will be able to walk 30 minutes after treatment (*there are some individual differences), and you can go home in 60 minutes. Deskwork or light activity can be done the following day, but you will need to refrain from intense sports or heavy labor for approximately 2 weeks. It is also possible that your symptoms will temporarily worsen for the 2 weeks or so after treatment.

Post-Treatment Issues

About Post-Treatment Issues

Significant results can be expected 3-6 months after treatment. The reason it takes time is thought to be that, because no blood vessels exist inside intervertebral discs, the growth factor necessary for repair and regeneration is supplemented by slow permeation from the bones. Additionally, when done in the United States for sports players, The Discseel® Procedure's Flow is recommended once a year. The reason is that, even if intervertebral discs are repaired, new damage will be caused if they endure hard usage. However, there’s no problem if your athletic activity is of the degree done by ordinary people.

About Side Effects

It is said that increased height is one side effect of treatment, but that is really a return to one’s original height due to the repair and regeneration of the collapsed intervertebral discs. The side effect of increased height is also connected with the result of increased volume of the collapsed discs; therefore, it is not as though this side effect were altogether bad.

Physical Activity Guidelines After the Treatment

Since treatment is performed on an outpatient basis, patients can return to their daily life from the very next day after undergoing the procedure and are encouraged to walk and exercise as possible. However, it is advisable to temporarily refrain from the following exercises and daily activities.

Exercises and daily life activities
that can be done after the treatment
Period of restriction
Disposable body warmer Same day
Cycling 1 day
Sauna 3 days
Bathing 3 days
Pool Walking 3 days
Going to the gym 7 days
Massage 7 days
Nerve block procedure 7 days
Rehabilitation 7 days
Yoga 14 days
Chiropractic adjustment 14 days
Sportbike riding 14 days
Acupuncture 14 days
Golf 30 days

* We recommend that you wait for at least 30 days before taking a golf round.

Treatment Cost for the Discseel® Procedure

Disc 1 disc 2 discs 3 discs 4 discs
Cost of Treatment 1,320,000(JPY) 1,430,000(JPY) 1,540,000(JPY) 1,650,000(JPY)

Notes

*Consultation, diagnosis, MRI and other tests are all included in the treatment costs listed above.
*If the same treatment is performed again within 3 years after the first treatment, fees will be reduced by half.
*Since the treatment is not covered by the Japanese health insurance, the patient must bear the entire cost of the treatment.
*We accept payments by credit card (VISA, MasterCard, China UnionPay) and cash in Japanese Yen (JPY).
*All taxes included.

The Discseel® Procedure: FAQ

  • Q

    Why is Discseel® Procedure indicated for cases of herniated discs that do not improve after surgery?

  • Q

    Wouldn't it be a problem if the injected medication comes in contact with the nerve?

  • Q

    Can Discseel® Procedure be used to treat scoliosis, too?

  • Q

    How do you determine the locations to be treated with the Discseel® Procedure?

  • Q

    About Differences in Recurrence Rates for Our Outpatient Treatment vs. Surgery

  • Q

    Is it possible to receive treatment as a preventive measure?

  • Q

    About how much exercise is possible after being treated with Discseel® Procedure?

  • Q

    How long does the temporary worsening of symptoms last if it occurs after the Discseel® Procedure?

  • Q

    Is it recommendable to go to the gym or undergo rehabilitation, massage and manipulative treatment possible after the Discseel® Procedure?

Treatment Overview

The Discseel

Discseel® Procedure

Discseel® Procedure was developed by an American surgeon by the name of Dr. Kevin Pauza, after caring for hundreds of patients who were made worse following their spine surgery. The treatment aims to seal tears in herniated vertebral discs and help them regenerate and recover their, allowing permanent relief of back pain. Dr. Pauza holds a series of 16 patents for a device and Discseel® biologic that support the treatment. Dr.Nonaka has been licensed to perform the Discseel® Procedure in 2018, and more than 2,880 patient have undergone the treatment in our clinic since then. At present, approximately 20 doctors, including physicians from Harvard and Boston Universities are using the Discseel® Procedure to treat their patients in the USA. Dr. Nonaka is the first physician trained to perform the Discseel® Procedure in Japan.

The Discseel® Procedure
  • The PIDT Method
    (Implant)

    Percutaneous Implant Disc
    Treatment
    The PIDT Method (Implant) - Percutaneous Implant Disc Treatment
  • The PLOT Method
    (Laser And Ozone)

    Percutaneous Laser and Ozone Treatment
    The PLOT Method (Laser And Ozone) - Percutaneous Laser and Ozone Treatment
  • The PODT Method
    (Ozone)

    Percutaneous Ozone Disc
    Treatment
    The PODT Method (Ozone) - Percutaneous Ozone Disc Treatment
  • The PLDD Method
    (Laser)

    Percutaneous Laser Disc
    Decompression
    The PLDD Method (Laser) - Percutaneous Laser Disc Decompression

Targeted Conditions

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