Don't wait any longer to find relief for your Bulging Discs.
Discs are specialized structures located between the vertebrae in your spine. They act as cushions for the vertebrae, absorbing shock and pressure from daily movements like bending and twisting. As people age, their discs become more dehydrated, losing their elasticity and causing the cartilage to harden and bulge outward. As a result, the disc can press on nearby nerve roots, causing pain and other symptoms.
Although similar to a herniated disc, a bulging discp differs in that it does not cause the inner part of the disc to leak. Also, bulging discs are considered degenerative, meaning they are caused by age-related wear and tear to the spine. In contrast, herniated discs usually occur due to a single moment of trauma.
The pain that is caused by a bulging disc can vary from mild and localized to severe and radiating. Because bulging discs tend to be degenerative, symptoms can progress over time if not treated. Additionally, a bulging disc can lead to other problems, such as lumbar spinal stenosis, which is a narrowing of the spinal canal.
Depending on the location of the disc, you may experience one or more of the following symptoms:
Doctors typically diagnose a bulging disc by requesting an MRI or CT scan and performing a physical exam. Once the diagnosis is made, the doctor may recommend conservative treatments based on the severity of the condition, such as:
Corticosteroid injections are a standard treatment for bulging discs. These injections are aimed at reducing inflammation and pain around the affected area. However, multiple injections may be necessary for there to be a noticeable effect, and the pain relief provided is typically only temporary.
Additionally, there is some risk regarding corticosteroid injections, such as nerve damage or infection. Other potential side effects include high blood sugar and hormone changes.
Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are another possible treatment option for bulging discs. NSAIDs can help reduce inflammation and pain, but as with corticosteroid injections, their effects are temporary and require regular doses to provide relief. Additionally, there is a risk of side effects such as stomach upset or liver damage when taking NSAIDs for an extended time.
Sometimes, a doctor may recommend surgery as the best course of treatment. This type of surgery called a discectomy, involves the removal or repair of the affected disc. Although this can help relieve pain and other symptoms associated with a bulging disc, it also comes with certain risks, such as infection, nerve damage, and other complications. Surgeries, in general, can also be expensive and require lengthy recovery times.
A midline microdiscectomy is less invasive than a traditional discectomy. It involves the use of specialized tools to remove only the affected portion of the disc. This is done by making a one to two-inch incision in the back. The surgeon will then lift the surrounding muscles from the vertebrae to access the affected area. The bulging portion of the disc is then removed, along with any fragments that may be pressing on nearby nerve roots.
Tubular microdiscectomy is similar to midline microdiscectomy in that it entails making a small incision. However, instead of lifting the surrounding muscles away from the vertebrae, the surgeon inserts a series of small tubes or dilators through the incision. This creates a corridor for them to operate through, thus causing less disruption to the tissue surrounding the disc. Despite being less invasive, the risks associated with this procedure are similar to those of a traditional discectomy.
Endoscopic microdiscectomy is an even less invasive surgical procedure, involving a miniature camera and surgical instruments to access the disc. This is done by making a small incision in the lower back, through which the doctor inserts an endoscope (a thin tube with a tiny camera attached). The images from the endoscope are then projected onto a monitor.
PRP is a concentrated form of the body’s natural healing cells, derived from the patient’s own blood. During a typical PRP session, a small amount of the patient’s blood is drawn from a vein in the arm. The sample is usually placed into a centrifuge (spinning) machine, which separates out the platelets and other healing elements. These concentrated platelets are then injected into the affected area to help reduce inflammation and pain, as well as promote healing and regeneration of the affected area.
Unlike other types of treatment, there are fewer risks of complications, such as infections or allergic reactions. This is because PRP injections use the patient’s own blood, which means there is no risk of rejection. Additionally, there is less downtime associated with this treatment option.
PRP treatments have been shown to be an effective method for treating a wide variety of musculoskeletal conditions, due to their ability to promote healing and reduce inflammation. It can also be an effective treatment option for bulging discs, providing pain relief and promoting disc regeneration.
Unlike discectomies or other surgical procedures, PRP treatments require no downtime and are relatively simple to administer. Additionally, any surgical procedure near the spine carries risks, such as infection or nerve damage. PRP treatments eliminate these kinds of risks and can be done in a much shorter period of time.
Overall, PRP has been shown to be an effective and safe treatment option for pain associated with bulging discs and can provide pain relief without the need for surgery or other invasive procedures.
PRP injections aren’t considered a conventional treatment option; however, they have been around for decades and continue to grow in popularity as a safer alternative to more conventional treatment solutions. However, not all PRP injections are created equally. At Orthagenex, we can provide safer and more effective PRP treatments than other medical providers for the following reasons:
Most PRP treatment providers deliver their PRP solutions using blind injections. This means the person administering the injection has no visual feedback on where they are placing the PRP and if it is going to the right area. However, at Orthagenex, we utilize musculoskeletal ultrasound and fluoroscopy, two advanced imaging technologies, to ensure that our PRP solutions are placed exactly where they need to be. This ensures not only that the solution is going directly to the area in need of treatment but also reduces the risk of any undesired side effects.
The way we process our PRP solutions differs from traditional methods. Whereas most providers process their PRP solutions in bedside centrifuges, our solutions are processed in a lab. This allows us to customize and tailor each PRP to the patient’s specific needs, resulting in concentrations of platelets that are much higher than those found in traditional PRP solutions – up to 10 to 30 times higher. Additionally, it allows us to create amber PRP and next-generation platelet lysate (PL) solutions that can be used as additional treatment options.
PRP solutions processed in a bedside centrifuge are known as “red PRP” solutions. This is because they are rich in red and white blood cells. The problem is that this type of PRP isn’t nearly as effective. This is because red and white blood cells have been shown to hinder the healing process because they can trigger an inflammatory response.
At Orthagenex, we process our PRP solutions using a lab-based technique that significantly reduces the red and white blood cells present in traditional centrifuge-processed solutions. This results in an amber-colored solution that is much less likely to trigger an inflammatory response, thereby allowing for faster healing and better results.
In addition to our amber PRP solutions, we also offer next-generation PL injections. PL treatment is even less likely to cause an inflammatory response upon injection, so we often recommend it for treating musculoskeletal issues near the spine. In addition, the healing process from PL treatments tends to be faster than traditional PRP solutions because the growth factors in the solution are released immediately, whereas those contained in PRP are released over time.
Most providers process their PRP solutions using bedside centrifuges. As a result, they cannot customize their PRP treatment to each individual patient’s needs. This can lead to treatments that are less than ideal, as the solution may not be tailored to the patient’s specific condition or needs.
At Orthagenex, we customize each PRP solution to every patient’s specific needs and conditions. We do this in the following ways:
By processing our PRP solutions in a lab, we can increase the concentration of platelets in each solution by removing components that are not needed or that may hinder the healing process. It’s how we can process our amber PRP treatments. By using lab-processed PRP solutions, we can tailor each PRP solution to the patient’s individual needs, allowing us to provide safer and more effective treatments.
Bone marrow contains stem cells, cytokines, and other growth factors that can aid in healing. By adding bone marrow concentrate to the PRP solution, we can increase the concentration of these components, thereby enhancing the body’s natural healing response. We often use bone marrow concentrate as part of our PRP therapy when it comes to treating more serious conditions.
At Orthagenex, we provide a higher level of care than most PRP providers. This is because we have doctors who are board-certified and fellowship-trained in interventional orthopedics. This specialized field focuses on diagnosing, treating, and rehabilitating musculoskeletal disorders using minimally invasive procedures such as PRP injections.
Only 1% of US physicians are board-certified and fellowship-trained in interventional orthopedics, so the level of care we can provide is significantly higher than other PRP providers. This means that when you come to us for a PRP treatment for a bulging disc, you can be sure you are getting the best possible care.
Our orthopedic doctors have the knowledge, skill, and experience to provide the best possible care for any musculoskeletal condition. We use our core competencies of image guidance and SANS (stability, articulation, neuromuscular, and symmetry) evaluations, which are the leading orthopedic protocols for diagnosing and treating musculoskeletal conditions, to ensure our patients get the best possible results.
At Orthagenex, we specialize in providing PRP treatments for bulging discs. Our lab-processed solutions are tailored to the patient’s individual needs and conditions, and our orthopedic doctors have the experience and skill to ensure that every treatment is as safe and effective as possible.
So if you’re looking for an alternative to surgery for your bulging disc, look no further than Orthagenex. Contact us today to learn more about our PRP treatments and how we can help you get back to feeling your best.
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