Stem cell therapy and the Discseel® Procedure are both non-surgical treatments aimed at relieving chronic back pain caused by damaged spinal discs. While stem cell injections promote tissue repair, they sometimes lead to unintended side effects like bone spur growth due to stem cells escaping the disc area. The Discseel® Procedure uses an FDA-approved biologic called fibrin to seal tears in the disc, encouraging healing and new tissue growth.

The Discseel® Procedure offers a safer and more targeted approach by directly sealing disc tears, which can lead to better outcomes compared to stem cell injections. This precision reduces the risks associated with stem cell treatments and has led many physicians to favor Discseel over other regenerative methods.

Both treatments focus on regeneration, but Discseel addresses the root cause of disc tears more effectively without the surgical risks or the complications sometimes seen in stem cell therapies. Understanding these differences helps patients and doctors make informed decisions on which treatment may be best suited for chronic disc-related back pain.

Understanding Stem Cell Therapy

Stem cell therapy uses the body’s own regenerative cells to treat tissue damage. It aims to reduce pain and promote healing by introducing cells that can develop into different tissue types. This approach is considered for various conditions, especially those involving degeneration.

What Are Stem Cells?

Stem cells are undifferentiated cells capable of developing into specialized cell types. They exist naturally in the body and play a role in growth and healing.

There are two main types relevant to therapy:

Embryonic stem cells: Can become any cell type but are rarely used due to ethical concerns.
Adult stem cells: Found in bone marrow, fat, and other tissues; commonly used because they are easier to obtain and less controversial.

These cells are valued for their ability to self-renew and potentially replace damaged tissue.

How Stem Cell Therapy Works

Stem cell therapy typically involves extracting adult stem cells from the patient’s body, often from bone marrow or fat tissue. These cells are then concentrated and injected into the damaged area, such as a spinal disc.

The intent is for the stem cells to multiply and differentiate into the needed tissue, promoting repair. Growth factors within the injection help stimulate this process. However, stem cells cannot directly seal or stabilize damaged spinal discs, which can limit their effectiveness in certain spinal conditions.

Types of Conditions Treated

Stem cell therapy targets degenerative conditions where tissue damage impairs function or causes pain. The most common uses include:

Degenerative disc disease
Osteoarthritis
Tendon and ligament injuries

It is often considered an option for patients seeking minimally invasive alternatives to surgery. Although promising in cases of tissue degeneration, it may not fully restore complex structures like spinal discs.

What Is Discseel?

Discseel is a regenerative procedure designed to treat damaged spinal discs without surgery. It uses specific biological substances to repair tears and promote the growth of healthy new tissue in the discs. The treatment targets chronic back pain linked to disc injury.

Overview of the Discseel Procedure

The Discseel Procedure is a minimally invasive treatment performed under imaging guidance. It involves injecting a purified blood-derived biologic, primarily fibrin, directly into damaged spinal discs. This helps to seal tears and stimulate natural tissue repair.

It is FDA-approved and intended for patients with chronic disc-related pain who want to avoid surgery. Unlike stem cell injections, Discseel does not use live cells but uses components that encourage the body’s own healing mechanisms. Physicians increasingly choose it over stem cell or PRP therapies for its targeted and controlled approach.

Mechanism of Action

Discseel works by delivering fibrin, a natural protein critical in blood clotting, into the torn disc tissue. This fibrin acts as a sealant, physically closing fissures in the disc wall. Simultaneously, it creates a scaffold that signals the body to regenerate healthy disc cells.

This dual action aims to restore disc structure and function. Unlike stem cells, which may lead to unintended bone growth or unknown long-term effects, Discseel relies on a predictable biological process. The injected fibrin promotes repair while reducing chronic inflammation linked to disc degeneration.

Conditions Addressed by Discseel

Discseel is primarily used for chronic back pain caused by disc damage such as annular tears and early degenerative disc disease. It targets discs with fissures that cause persistent pain by allowing inflammatory substances to irritate nerves.

Candidates typically include patients with MRI-confirmed disc tears who have not responded well to conservative treatments like physical therapy or injections. It is suitable for those seeking a non-surgical option to improve disc health and reduce pain without the risks of open surgery or uncertain outcomes from stem cell treatments.

Stem Cell vs Discseel: Key Differences

Stem cell treatments and the Discseel Procedure differ primarily in their approach, how they work, and the patient experience regarding treatment time and recovery. Each targets spinal disc issues but uses distinct methods and materials, impacting outcomes and healing processes.

Differences in Procedure

Stem cell treatment involves injecting stem cells, usually harvested from the patient’s bone marrow or fat, into damaged spinal discs. The goal is to stimulate tissue regeneration directly through these cells’ repair capabilities.

The Discseel Procedure, on the other hand, uses an FDA-approved biologic called Fibrin to seal disc fissures. It often includes Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) and stem cells but focuses on sealing damaged areas rather than just stimulating cell growth.

Discseel is minimally invasive and designed specifically to close disc tears, which helps stop painful fluid leaks. Stem cell injections do not address structural disc sealing directly.

Comparing Mechanisms

Stem cell therapy promotes regeneration by introducing undifferentiated cells that can turn into various tissue types. This approach relies on the body’s natural healing response, but the results vary widely.

Discseel uses Fibrin as a biological glue to physically seal disc fissures, stabilizing the disc. PRP and stem cells may support healing, but the primary action is mechanical sealing, which reduces inflammation and prevents further tissue damage.

This dual action of Discseel—sealing plus biological stimulation—differs from stem cells alone, which aim mostly for regeneration without structural repair.

Treatment Duration and Recovery

Stem cell treatments typically require multiple sessions and several months to observe significant improvement. Recovery varies and may include ongoing inflammation due to the injection body’s response.

The Discseel Procedure often shows improvement faster because it addresses disc integrity with Fibrin sealing, reducing pain caused by disc leakage. Most patients experience shorter recovery times, with less post-procedure discomfort than stem cell therapy.

Physicians increasingly favor Discseel for its more predictable recovery and effectiveness, especially in patients who did not respond well to stem cell or PRP treatments.

Effectiveness for Spinal Disc Issues

Stem cell therapy and the Discseel procedure target spinal disc problems differently, influencing their outcomes and ideal applications. Both aim to reduce pain and improve disc function but vary in approach and effectiveness based on patient condition and goals.

Clinical Outcomes

Stem cell therapy focuses on regenerating damaged disc tissue by introducing cells that may reduce inflammation and promote matrix repair. Some studies report modest improvements in pain and function, though long-term data remain limited.

The Discseel procedure uses a biologic sealant injected into the disc to repair tears and restore disc integrity. Clinical results show it can significantly reduce chronic back pain, with three-year data indicating effectiveness comparable to or potentially replacing certain surgical options.

Treatment	Pain Reduction	Functional Improvement	Long-term Data
Stem Cell	Moderate	Variable	Limited
Discseel	Significant	Consistent	Supported (3 yrs)

Suitability for Specific Conditions

Stem cell therapy is generally considered for degenerative disc disease and herniated discs where inflammation and tissue loss are primary concerns. It is less effective for severe structural damage.

Discseel works best in patients with annular tears or damaged disc fibers that cause chronic pain but have preserved disc height. It is often chosen by those seeking a minimally invasive alternative to traditional surgery or stem cell treatments.

Key suitability factors:

Stem Cell Therapy: Early to moderate degeneration, pain driven by inflammation
Discseel Procedure: Tears or fissures in the disc, non-collapsed discs, chronic pain not responding to conservative care

Cost and Accessibility

Both stem cell therapy and the Discseel procedure involve significant expenses, with costs influenced by multiple factors. Accessibility varies depending on insurance coverage and regional availability, shaping patient options and decisions.

Typical Costs

Stem cell treatments for disc degeneration generally range from $10,000 to over $20,000 per session. Multiple treatments may be necessary, adding to total expenses. Costs depend on factors like the clinic, cell source, and treatment complexity.

Discseel typically costs between $15,000 and $20,000 for a single procedure. This is often less expensive than traditional spine surgery, which can exceed $100,000 in some cases. Unlike stem cell therapy, Discseel is often a one-time treatment, potentially reducing cumulative costs.

Insurance Coverage

Most insurance plans do not cover stem cell therapies or Discseel procedures as they are still considered experimental or investigational. Patients usually pay out-of-pocket.

Some exceptions exist if the treatment is part of a clinical trial or covered by special policies. Coverage for traditional spinal surgeries is more common, affecting patient choices between these options.

Availability by Region

Stem cell therapy is broadly available in many clinics worldwide but varies in quality and regulation. Some countries have strict guidelines, while others offer more experimental access.

Discseel is less widely available and limited to select providers trained in the procedure. Availability is mainly in North America, with growing interest but slower global adoption. Patients may need to travel to access Discseel treatment centers.

Making an Informed Choice

Choosing between stem cell therapy and the Discseel procedure requires understanding their differences in approach and outcomes. Stem cell therapy uses the body’s own cells to promote healing but does not create a structural matrix necessary for disc repair. Discseel, on the other hand, involves a patented process that helps form a 3-D fibrin matrix around the damaged disc, encouraging tissue growth.

Candidates for either treatment should consider their specific condition, severity of disc damage, and willingness to undergo surgery. Discseel is minimally invasive and focuses on disc repair, potentially preventing further degeneration. Stem cell therapy is less invasive but may be less effective for extensive tissue repair and long-term disc stability.

Key factors to evaluate:

Factor	Stem Cell Therapy	Discseel Procedure
Invasiveness	Low	Minimally invasive
Healing mechanism	Cellular regeneration	Fibrin matrix formation
Long-term repair	Uncertain	Designed to repair and strengthen disc
FDA/regulatory status	Limited approval, no patents	Patented procedure
Suitability	Mild to moderate damage	Moderate to severe disc damage

Timing and patient health also affect outcomes. Both options may require follow-up care but differ in recovery timelines.

Patients should consult specialists to review medical history and diagnostic imaging to select the most appropriate treatment. Understanding the mechanisms and clinical evidence behind each can guide a more confident decision.

Choose the Discseel® Experts at Morrison Clinic for Lasting Relief

When it comes to choosing between stem cell therapy and the Discseel® Procedure, the evidence points toward a safer, more targeted solution with Discseel. While stem cell injections may provide temporary relief, they often lack the precision needed to repair spinal discs at their source. Discseel, on the other hand, seals tears, restores disc function, and delivers consistent long-term results.

At Morrison Clinic, our team specializes in the Discseel® Procedure, offering patients a minimally invasive alternative to surgery with proven outcomes. If you’ve been struggling with chronic disc-related back pain and want a treatment designed to repair—not just mask—the problem, Morrison Clinic is the provider you can trust.

Take the first step toward real healing. Contact Morrison Clinic today to discover if Discseel is right for you.