Patients battling chronic low back pain now have the option of a VIA Disc NP procedure at Franciscan Health Pain Management Center Dyer.
Dr. Prasanth Nuthakki, a physical medicine and rehabilitation physician at Franciscan Health, offers the procedure. The procedure is for patients whose spinal disc degeneration causes them to struggle with activities like sitting, bending or standing for extended periods of time.
“Low back pain is one of the most common reasons people seek medical care,” Nuthakki said in a press release. “Until now, our options were limited to steroid injections or major surgery. VIA Disc NP changes the game.”
The VIA Disc NP procedure uses regenerative medicine to restore the spine’s natural cushioning. Through tissue donation, healthy spinal disc material is processed into a purified allograft gel, which is then injected into the damaged disc. The procedure is performed under local anesthesia in the Franciscan Health Pain Management Center Dyer clinic.
“It’s like giving your spine a second chance,” Nuthakki said. “We’re not masking the pain. We’re helping the disc recover its function. It’s similar to gel injections for knees, offering a real alternative before considering surgery.”
Recovery is similar to that of a steroid injection, with rest the day of the procedure. Within six weeks, most patients report improvement in their function and pain, Nuthakki said.
“This is a forward-looking treatment that opens the door to healing without burning bridges for the future use of steroids or surgery, if necessary,” Nuthakki said.
