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Leaky Disc Syndrome

Common Cause of Pain and Symptoms in Your Back

The majority of back pain is a biological problem associated with annular tears and fissures in your discs. This is called Leaky Disc Syndrome.

Have you Heard These Terms? 

Slipped Discs, Bulging Discs, Herniated Discs, Pinched Nerves

Many patients are told that a compressed nerve caused by a slipped, bulging, or herniated disc is the source of their symptoms. While this is true in some cases, Dr. Pauza’s research and experience have shown him that most pain and numbness experienced in the extremities is caused by annular tears that have progressed into herniated, slipped, or bulging discs.

What is Leaky Disc Syndrome?

Leaky Disc Syndrome is the Result of Annular Tears

Leaky Disc Syndrome is a term coined by Dr. Kevin Pauza, inventor of the DISCSEEL® Procedure, to help patients understand that leaking caused by annular tears is the most common cause of pain and symptoms in the lower back, leg, neck, and arm.

In this video, you will see a leaky disc and how this causes pain.

WATCH VIDEO (27 seconds)

Understanding Leaky Disc Syndrome

Leaky discs cause pain. Understanding the anatomy of the spinal disc helps explain why.

The spinal disc is made up of two parts:

The outer annulus fibrosus and the inner nucleus pulposus. The annulus fibrosus is a series of overlapping fibrous collagen rings that surround the gel-like structure of the nucleus pulposus. Spinal discs provide flexibility to the vertebral column and absorb shock from movement that places stress on the spine.

How does a spinal disc become leaky?  

Over time, as a result of normal wear and tear, the annulus fibrosus develops tears, which we know as annular tears. If they are large enough, these annular tears allow the nucleus pulposus to leak out of the disc. Our bodies then perceive the leaking nucleus pulposus as a foreign substance and react with inflammation and irritation of surrounding nerves. This causes the nerves to send out pain signals, and depending on the areas of the body the nerves reach, painful symptoms are felt in the arms, hands, legs, or even feet.

Unfortunately, many cases remain improperly diagnosed because the connection between back pain and annular tears has only recently begun to be fully recognized within the medical community.

LEAKY DISC: This happens when the gel-like substance from the inner nucleus pulposus (grey area) leaks through an annular tear onto a spinal nerve, causing pain.

Essential Insights on Leaky Disc Syndrome

A major cause of back pain:

Studies suggest that annular tears and subsequent leakage of the nucleus pulposus may be responsible for a significant number of back  and leg pain-related conditions.

Neurological symptoms:

The leaking disc material can irritate or compress nearby nerves, causing symptoms such as numbness, tingling, muscle weakness, sciatica.

Diagnosis can be challenging:

Leaky Disc Syndrome is often misdiagnosed or overlooked, as traditional imaging techniques like MRI are not designed to identify annular tears. Specialized imaging like the Annulargram™ may be necessary for accurate diagnosis.

Lasting Relief Starts with an Accurate Diagnosis

ANNULAR TEARS: Not Visible In an MRI
ANNULAR TEARS: Visible In an Annulargram™

The only way to treat Leaky Disc Syndrome is to treat the annular tears that cause it. The Annulargram is the most precise way to identify annular tears in spinal discs.

MRI is a medical imaging technique designed to generate images of organs. Because of this, it is not precise enough to identify Leaky Disc Syndrome in spinal discs.

The Annulargram is a pain-free test performed during the DISCSEEL Procedure that identifies even the most subtle tears in spinal discs that MRI or discography can’t. We test every disc in the region, allowing our team to be proactive in addressing small tears before they lead to large herniations, degeneration, and other painful conditions.

Getting the diagnosis right with an Annulargram™ 

 

The DISCSEEL® Procedure

Proven Treatment for Leaky Disc Syndrome

Research has proven that the Fibrin used in the DISCSEEL Procedure seals annular tears while encouraging new tissue to grow, providing lasting healing and relief from neck and back pain.

The DISCSEEL Procedure is a minimally invasive and non-surgical outpatient procedure that has changed the lives of thousands of patients and allowed them to get back to doing what they love. Because this procedure facilitates the healing of damaged spinal discs, it does not affect patient mobility once the healing process is complete.

The DISCSEEL Procedure delivers effective treatment to solve neck and back pain.

The DISCSEEL Procedure is evidence based and backed by scientific studies.

Why it’s Better: Fibrin

What This Means for You

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