What Is It?
A solution consisting in part of glucosamine and chondroitin is injected directly into the painful disc to improve the structural integrity of the disc and decrease pain. It can be done in conjunction with a discogram and/or an IDET or Nucleoplasty since the needle is already in place, or it can be done while no other treatment is performed. Sometimes the zygapophyseal joints are injured as well and a solution minus the chondroitin is injected into the adjoining joints. The glucosamine and chondroitin are taken orally, however due to the limited blood supply to the disc, it is not absorbed when taken orally.


How Is It Done?
A local skin anesthetic is given and the procedure is performed under fluoroscopy. A spinal needle is inserted into the nucleus or the annulus of the disc and the mixture is released. If relief of symptoms is achieved, the injections can be repeated two months apart, with a maximum of three treatments.


Expected Results?
Relief of symptoms after each injection. The injections can cause a moderate to severe flare-up which lasts on the average of 3-5 days and sometimes longer.


How Long Does It Take?
Thirty minutes plus approximately thirty minutes recovery time.


Glossary:
NUCLEUS - The center of the intravertebral disc.
ANNULUS - The outer portion of the intravertebral disc.
ZYGAPOPHYSEAL JOINTS - The joints connecting each vertebrae.

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