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If you've been living with chronic back or neck pain that hasn't responded to physical therapy, injections, or other conservative measures, you're not alone and you may not need to resign yourself to major spine surgery. At Dynasty Health, we offer a non-surgical, disc-preserving approach designed for patients with damaged spinal discs, including those with annular tears and what many refer to as leaky disc syndrome.
The Discseel® Procedure is a less-invasive path to consider before committing to spinal fusion or other traditional surgeries. Rather than removing disc material or placing hardware, Discseel is designed to identify and seal tears in the outer wall of spinal discs using a natural biologic sealant, potentially allowing the disc to heal and regain function over time.
Dynasty Health's regenerative spine care team is led by Dr. Mostafa Maita double board certified in Interventional Pain Medicine and Anesthesiology, Mayo Clinic–trained, and a Discseel Procedure Master Instructor.
The Discseel® Procedure is a minimally invasive, outpatient treatment designed to address chronic back and neck pain by repairing damaged spinal discs. Unlike surgery, which often removes tissue or fuses bones, Discseel aims to preserve the natural structure and mobility of your spine.
To understand how it works, it helps to know a little about spinal anatomy. Each disc in your spine has a tough outer ring called the annulus fibrosus and a soft, gel-like center called the nucleus pulposus. When the annulus develops a tear an annular tear the inner material can leak out and irritate nearby nerves. This leakage is the basis of what patients often call leaky disc syndrome. The leaking fluid contains inflammatory proteins that can cause discogenic pain, radiating pain, numbness, and stiffness symptoms that can dramatically affect your quality of life.
The Discseel Procedure is performed in two key steps, both guided by fluoroscopy (real-time X-ray imaging) to ensure precision.
First, your physician performs an Annulogram™, a diagnostic test that identifies even subtle tears in the outer disc wall. Unlike an MRI, which may not clearly show small annular tears, the Annulogram involves injecting a small amount of X-ray contrast mixed with antibiotic into the outer annulus to pinpoint exactly where leaks are occurring. This allows your physician to identify all damaged discs in the region, including tears that might otherwise go undetected.
Second, once the tears are identified, fibrin sealant is injected into each tear. Fibrin is a natural biologic substance that forms a mechanical seal and promotes tissue healing. Over the following months, the fibrin supports the body's natural repair process, helping the disc tissue regenerate and regain strength.
Compliance note: Fibrin is an FDA-approved biologic used in many surgical applications. Its use in spinal disc repair is an accepted off-label application. This means that while the substance itself is FDA-approved, the specific use in discs is considered investigational by some payers, and clinical evidence continues to evolve. You can review the procedure details on the official Discseel® website.
The Discseel Procedure does not remove disc material, place screws or rods, or fuse bones together. Instead, it is designed to seal and heal the existing disc, preserving your spine's natural biomechanics. According to Discseel's public materials, patients are typically walking the same day and gradually increase activity over 3–12 months as the disc heals.
Annular tears are small rips or fissures in the tough outer layer of a spinal disc (the annulus fibrosus). These tears are surprisingly common and are considered by many experts to be a primary underlying cause of chronic back and neck pain.
When an annular tear occurs, the soft inner material of the disc can seep out through the opening, a condition often called leaky disc syndrome. This leaking material contains inflammatory proteins that can irritate nearby spinal nerves, leading to pain, tingling, numbness, and muscle weakness.
Annular tears can develop from a variety of factors:
The symptoms of a leaking disc can vary depending on the location and severity of the tear, but commonly include:
Safety flag: If you experience progressive weakness in your legs or arms, loss of bowel or bladder control, or worsening neurological symptoms, seek prompt medical evaluation these may indicate a more serious condition requiring urgent attention.
At Dynasty Health, we take a thorough, patient-first approach to determine whether a torn or leaking disc is the source of your pain. This includes a detailed clinical exam, review of your imaging and prior treatments, and discussion of your functional goals all before recommending any procedure. Learn more about our approach to spinal health and restoring the back and neck.
Your spinal discs act as shock absorbers between the vertebrae, providing cushioning and flexibility to your spine. As we age, discs naturally lose hydration and height, becoming less resilient. This progressive wear-and-tear is known as degenerative disc disease (DDD) and it's one of the most common causes of chronic back pain.
Common symptoms of degenerative disc disease include:
For patients in Tempe and surrounding communities, Dynasty Health offers a patient-first evaluation that goes beyond simply looking at an MRI. We take the time to understand:
Based on this comprehensive evaluation, your care plan may include the Discseel® Procedure, regenerative orthobiologics, interventional pain management, and rehabilitative care. Every plan is individualized; there is no one-size-fits-all approach to degenerative disc disease.
At Dynasty Health, we treat a wide range of spine conditions using non-surgical, regenerative, and interventional approaches. Your treatment plan depends on your specific diagnosis, imaging findings, medical history, and personal goals.
A herniated disc sometimes called a slipped or ruptured disc occurs when the soft inner material pushes through a tear in the outer annulus and compresses nearby nerves. This can cause radiating pain, numbness, and weakness. Discseel may be considered for certain herniated disc cases when the primary issue is an annular tear with leakage.
A bulging disc occurs when the disc protrudes outward without rupturing. While less severe than a herniation, a bulging disc can still irritate nerves and cause pain. Treatment may include Discseel, physical therapy, or other regenerative approaches depending on the individual presentation.
Sciatica refers to pain that radiates along the sciatic nerve, which runs from the lower back down through the buttocks and legs. It is often caused by a herniated or leaking disc pressing on the nerve root. Discseel may be considered when annular tears are identified as the source of nerve irritation.
Spinal stenosis is a narrowing of the spinal canal that can compress the spinal cord or nerve roots. While Discseel does not treat the bony narrowing itself, it may be part of a comprehensive care plan when disc pathology contributes to symptoms.
Spondylosis is the age-related wear-and-tear of the spine, including disc degeneration and bone spurs. A combination of regenerative care, pain management, and rehabilitative therapy may help manage symptoms and improve function.
The cervical spine (neck) is susceptible to the same disc problems as the lumbar spine, annular tears, herniations, and degenerative changes. Discseel may be considered for cervical disc pathology when conservative measures have been insufficient.
Neck pain is one of the most common complaints we see at Dynasty Health, and it can stem from a variety of causes: cervical herniations, whiplash injuries, degenerative cervical disc disease, annular tears, and nerve irritation.
For patients seeking Tempe neck pain treatment, our approach begins with a careful, thorough evaluation not an assumption that surgery is needed. Many neck pain patients are surprised to learn that their symptoms may be related to annular tears or disc degeneration that can potentially be addressed without invasive surgery.
Safety flag: If you experience arm pain, weakness, balance changes, or worsening neurological signs, prompt medical evaluation is essential.
We proudly serve patients from Tempe and nearby Arizona communities, bringing advanced, non-surgical spine care closer to home.
For patients seeking pain management in Tempe, Dynasty Health offers a comprehensive, interventional approach that goes beyond simply masking symptoms with medication. Our philosophy is to identify the source of your pain whether it's an annular tear, degenerative disc, nerve compression, or a combination of factors and address it at its root.
Our pain management services include:
We believe in treating the whole patient, not just the MRI findings. Our goal is to help you return to the activities you enjoy with less pain and better function.
Choosing the right path for your spine care can feel overwhelming. Here's a comparison to help you understand the differences:
Important: Clinical evidence is still developing, and outcomes vary by individual. These statistics are reported by Discseel's public materials and published studies; they are not guarantees of individual results.
You may be a candidate for the Discseel Procedure if you experience:
Candidacy is not a guarantee. The Discseel Procedure is not right for everyone. Your physician will weigh your diagnosis, imaging findings, symptoms, prior treatments, risk factors, and personal goals before recommending any course of action.
At Dynasty Health, our consultations are designed for informed decision-making, not pressure. We want you to have all the information you need to make a confident choice about your care.
Dynasty Health combines regenerative medicine expertise, interventional pain management, and a patient-first philosophy to deliver comprehensive spine care.
Dr. Mostafa Maita, DO, leads our spine care team. He is:
Our mission is to provide effective, non-surgical regenerative treatments that support long-term health and function. We use fluoroscopic guidance, the Annulogram diagnostic test, and FDA-approved fibrin sealant (used off-label in the disc) to deliver precise, targeted care.
Coverage for the Discseel Procedure varies significantly by insurance plan. While some patients may have partial coverage for the evaluation, diagnostics (such as the Annulogram), and imaging, the procedure itself is often out-of-pocket.
Important: Coverage and payouts are not guaranteed. Because the use of fibrin sealant in spinal discs is an off-label application and is considered investigational by some payers, many insurance plans do not cover the procedure.
During your consultation, we will help you understand:
We believe in transparency so you can make an informed financial decision alongside your medical decision.
Dynasty Health is proud to serve patients from Tempe and surrounding communities, including Chandler, Mesa, Scottsdale, Gilbert, and Ahwatukee. Whether you're dealing with chronic back pain, neck pain, or a complex spine condition, we bring advanced, non-surgical care closer to home.
We welcome patients from across the Phoenix metropolitan area who are seeking a less-invasive path to spine health without the need for major surgery.
Beyond the Discseel Procedure, Dynasty Health offers comprehensive interventional pain management to target nerve pain, PRP therapy to accelerate tissue repair, medical weight loss to reduce inflammatory burden, and regenerative therapy for joint and spine conditions. These services integrate with Discseel to support faster recovery and lasting function.
If you're ready to explore whether the Discseel Procedure or another non-surgical approach is right for you, we invite you to schedule a consultation with Dynasty Health. Our team will take the time to understand your unique situation, answer your questions, and help you make an informed decision about your care.
Medically reviewed by Dr. Mostafa Maita, D.O. (interventional pain & anesthesiology), with Dr. Yousef Maita, D.O. (internal medicine) and Dr. Hamza Shqeirat, PT (licensed physical therapist, Arizona).
Medical disclaimer: This page is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for diagnosis, treatment, or personalized medical advice. Weight-loss medications and injections require individual medical evaluation. Results vary by patient, and Dynasty Health does not guarantee a specific amount of weight loss.
Small tears may scar over naturally, but larger or repeatedly stressed tears often remain open and continue leaking inflammatory proteins. Without intervention, these chronic leaks can perpetuate pain cycles and accelerate disc degeneration.
A herniated disc involves a large, often acute rupture where disc material bulges or extrudes into the spinal canal. Leaky disc syndrome describes smaller, chronic micro-tears that slowly seep inflammatory fluid less dramatic but equally painful over time.
Pain depends on nerve involvement, tear location, and the inflammatory response. Tears near nerve roots or with high inflammatory output produce significant symptoms, while tears in less sensitized areas may remain asymptomatic.
Yes MRIs often miss small annular tears. This is why physicians use the Annulogram to directly visualize leaks when MRI findings don't match symptom severity.
Fibrin sealant provides a biological scaffold that supports the body's natural healing response. Over time, the disc tissue may remodel and strengthen but the goal is sealing and stabilization, not full regeneration of lost disc height.
Some patients require a second procedure to address additional tears or incomplete sealing. Your physician will monitor your progress and determine if repeat treatment is appropriate based on clinical response and repeat imaging.
Yes but candidacy depends on the level and reason for fusion. Discseel can treat symptomatic discs adjacent to a fusion that are now under increased stress. Your physician will evaluate your specific anatomy and pain sources.
Fibrin is gradually resorbed and replaced by the body's own collagen over several months. The seal remains as the tissue heals it doesn't stay as a permanent foreign material.
The Annulogram is the most definitive way to confirm an annular tear as your pain source. Combined with clinical exam, symptom mapping, and diagnostic injections, it helps isolate whether the disc itself is generating your pain.
Yes but only after a structured, gradual return-to-activity protocol. High-impact activities are typically restricted for several months. Most patients return to full activity between 6–12 months post-procedure with physician clearance.