OHIO — A new type of non-surgical relief from chronic neck and back pain could be right around the corner for our country’s veterans. 

Spinal surgery can cause complications and many times opioids have been heavily relied on for pain management.

Recently, the Department of Defense and the Department of Veterans Affairs awarded a new contract approval to Discseel Technologies.

What You Need To Know

  • Department of Defense and Department of Veterans Affairs approve physician training for Discseel Procedure

  • Discseel is a minimally invasive way to seal cracks in spinal discs without traditional surgery

  • Procedure is quick and completed at a physician's office

Physicians can receive the training for the medical technology and leaders hope to break the connection between veteran suicide and chronic pain.

“Hats off to the VA and the Department of Defense because they recognized the need and they reached out to us long ago before the private industry reached out to us,” said Dr. Kevin Pauza,  the Chief Medical Adviser and Director of Discseel Technologies.

The Discseel Procedure is a minimally invasive way to seal and heal cracks in spinal discs without a patient undergoing traditional spinal surgery.

Pauza is now responsible for training hundreds of physicians, both in the DOD and civilian sector, like Dr. Boris Terebuh. 

Terebuh spent his career working in spine care but became a Discseel Provider in 2018.

He’s the only licensed physician in Ohio to do the procedure and has helped more than 70 people with the technology.

“Our disc doesn’t have an adequate blood supply, so unfortunately these discs just continue to develop further cracks that get larger and have a bigger branching pattern,” said Terebuh as he explained what happens from an injured spinal disc. 

Cracks in discs are very common and many people might not know until the problem gets worse.

“Also, as the disc fissures get large enough, material from the inside can actually herniate out, and that’s where the term disc herniation comes from,” Terebuh said.

The procedure is done in-house and recovery time takes about an hour.

By using an imaging test called an annulogram, doctors can see exactly where the cracks form and where to inject a combination of two components.

Thrombin and fibrinogen are combined to make FDA-approved Fibrin.

“It immediately seals the cracks in the discs and no other technology has the capability to do that,” said Terebuh.

“It’s available to those who I think are most deserving of it and that’s the veterans and the military people,” said Pauza.

In the civilian marketplace, this type of treatment can be expensive.

With the new DOD approval to train physicians, Pauza says it’s a win-win.

“The cost for this is 80% less than the cost of a fusion. It’s a great savings, not just in the pain we’re saving people from, but the cost the taxpayers are being burdened with,” said Pauza.

As more doctors await the training, Terebuh is excited to give back to those who serve.

“The ability to help veterans specifically, given all the sacrifices they’ve made, is a very exciting role that Discseel can play,” he said.

If a veteran thinks they could benefit and qualify for the procedure, they’re encouraged to talk to their doctor and ask for a referral to see a specialist.