Overview & Procedure
VIA Disc NP is an allograft meant to supplement degenerated intervertebral discs. Allograft is tissue recovered from a human cadaveric donor that is transferred to a human recipient. VIA Disc NP consists of dehydrated nucleus pulposus particulate derived from the intervertebral disc region of the donor. The nucleus pulposus particulate is mixed with saline and delivered into your intervertebral disc during a non-surgical spinal procedure.
VIA Disc NP procedure is performed in an outpatient surgery center, hospital, or clinical procedure suite. During the procedure, patients are placed on an operating table with fluoroscopic (x-ray imaging) guidance attached. Before the procedure, an intravenous line is started for the patient to reduce pain and discomfort throughout the procedure. After the anesthetic has taken effect, the physician will mark areas of the patient’s back to ensure accurate needle placement throughout the procedure. Once the area has been sterilized, the physician will administer local anesthesia into surrounding tissues. The physician will insert a needle through the skin and muscle into the center of the intervertebral disc. VIA Disc NP will slowly be delivered into the center of the intervertebral disc. During this time, pictures will also be taken of the spinal discs with the fluoroscopic unit. The needles are then removed, and the patient is sent to a separate room to recover.
After Care
Immediately after the procedure, patients are sent to a separate room to recover. During this time, the patient’s vitals are monitored for any signs of an adverse reaction. Later that day, the patient will go home after they are given self-care instructions. An adult family member or friend will need to drive the patient home. It is recommended the patient be monitored 24 hours after receiving IV sedation. It may be common for the patients to experience some pain and soreness after the procedure. A Southwest Spine and Pain Center physician may recommend over-the-counter painkillers such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen to reduce pain and soreness from the procedure. Applying an ice pack will also ease pain around the injection site(s). As with any other minimally invasive procedure, there is a risk of complication. Patients should report increased pain, fever, and any sign of an infection to their Southwest Spine and Pain Center physicians immediately. After the procedure, a physician may recommend follow-up treatments.