Low Back Pain Patient Sees Major Improvement After Combined Treatment

Disc Problems Affect Most Adults at Some Point

Low back pain is one of the most common health issues in Western countries. Studies show that 60 to 80 percent of adults will experience it during their lives. It is also the leading cause of work disability for people under 45 years old. This creates a significant burden on both individuals and the healthcare system.

The root cause often involves degeneration of the intervertebral disc. This is the cushion-like structure between your spine bones. When the disc loses healthy cells, it can shrink, dry out, and cause pain. Traditional treatments like physical therapy or surgery may relieve symptoms. However, they cannot repair the damage or stop the degeneration from continuing.

New Approach Combines Disc Decompression with Fat-Derived Cells

Researchers in Italy tested a new treatment approach on a 43-year-old man. He had severe chronic low back pain from a degenerating disc at the L3-L4 level of his spine. His MRI showed a dried-out disc that was reduced in size and height. Daily pain medication provided little relief. Simple activities like tying his shoes had become difficult.

The treatment combined two procedures done under local anesthesia. First, doctors performed nucleoplasty. This removes a small amount of disc material to reduce pressure inside the disc. They also used radiofrequency heat to treat pain-sensing nerve fibers. Second, they injected Lipogems® into the treated area. This is micro-fragmented fat tissue taken from the patient's own body.

Procedure Takes Under an Hour with Minimal Invasion

The entire treatment took about 45 minutes. Doctors collected 40 cc of fat tissue through small incisions using a blunt cannula. They processed the fat using the Lipogems® system. This closed device gently breaks down the fat into smaller clusters without chemicals or enzymes. The process takes only 15 to 20 minutes.

The prepared tissue was then injected into the space created by the nucleoplasty procedure. Because the treatment uses your own tissue, there is no risk of rejection. The patient remained awake with light sedation throughout the procedure.

Pain Dropped Significantly Right After Treatment

The patient noticed immediate benefits following the injection:

• Pain decreased significantly in the hours after treatment

• Tingling sensations in his left leg disappeared

• These improvements appeared before leaving the medical facility

This rapid response suggests the procedure successfully reduced pressure on the nerves. The combination of removing disc material and treating pain fibers likely contributed to the immediate relief.

Six-Month Results Show Disability Cut Nearly in Half

Doctors measured the patient's disability using a standard questionnaire called the ODI (Oswestry Disability Index). This widely used tool rates how much back pain affects daily activities:

• Before treatment: 46 percent disability, rated as "severe"

• Six months later: 24 percent disability, rated as "minimal"

This represents a meaningful improvement in the patient's quality of life. Activities that were once difficult became manageable again.

MRI Reveals Physical Changes in the Treated Disc

Perhaps most encouraging, the six-month MRI scan showed actual physical improvements in the disc. The images revealed:

• Successful decompression of the treated disc

• Increased signal intensity in the disc center on T2 sequences

The increased signal suggests improved hydration in the disc. A healthier disc contains more water and appears brighter on certain MRI sequences. This finding indicates the treatment may have supported actual tissue healing, not just symptom relief.

What This Means for Your Treatment Decision

This case report represents just one patient. The authors note it is part of a larger ongoing study. While the results are encouraging, more research with more patients is needed to confirm these findings.

However, the combination approach shows promise. Traditional treatments focus only on relieving symptoms. This method aims to both decompress the disc and potentially support tissue healing. The use of your own fat tissue means no risk of rejection or complex regulatory concerns.

If you have chronic low back pain from disc degeneration that has not responded well to other treatments, this approach may be worth discussing with your doctor. Ask about your specific condition and whether you might be a candidate for this type of regenerative treatment.

Source: Grossi et al., None, 2016.