Disc Tear Management Without Surgery In Phoenix, AZ – Active Life
Spinal discs act as natural cushions between the vertebrae in your spine, helping to absorb impact and allow for mobility. Each disc has a durable outer ring, called the annulus fibrosus, and a softer inner core called the nucleus pulposus. The annulus can tear over time due to repetitive strain, injury, or general wear, sometimes leading to significant pain, and although many are asymptomatic, they are more likely to be painful if you’re under age 50.
At Active Life Physical Medicine & Pain Center in Phoenix, annular disc tears are carefully evaluated, as they can sometimes be misclassified under degenerative disc disease (DDD). To confirm a disc tear as the source of pain, a specialized test known as a discogram is used. During this procedure, controlled pressure is applied to the disc to assess pain reproduction.
How Are Disc Tears Commonly Treated?
While some disc tears may improve with time, rest, and conservative care, the affected area can remain vulnerable to reinjury or ongoing degeneration.
Traditional medical approaches often include:
- High-dose epidural steroid injections: These may offer short-term pain relief but carry the risk of side effects and may suppress your body’s natural healing processes.
- Spinal fusion surgery: Fuses two or more vertebrae to stabilize the spine, but studies have shown limited long-term effectiveness. Approximately 25% of spinal fusion patients report complications, and many develop adjacent segment disease (ASD), which increases stress on nearby spinal levels.
That’s why we offer a different approach at Active Life Physical Medicine & Pain Center.
16620 North 40th Street
Phoenix, AZ 85032
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Call to Schedule Schedule OnlineClinic Hours
| Sunday | Closed |
| Monday | 7:30AM–5PM |
| Tuesday | 7:30AM–5PM |
| Wednesday | 7:30AM–5PM |
| Thursday | 7:30AM–5PM |
| Friday | 7:30AM–3PM |
| Saturday | Closed |
Non-Surgical Treatment For Disc Tears
At our Phoenix clinic, Regenexx procedures provide a non-surgical, image-guided option to treat disc tears using your body’s natural healing agents.
Our outpatient procedures use Regenexx injectates, which may include:
- Super-concentrated Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP): Created from your blood
- Bone Marrow Concentrate (BMC): Containing stem cells, harvested from your marrow
These injectates are carefully delivered to the area of injury to support healing, reduce pain, and preserve spinal integrity.
Benefits include:
- Minimally invasive, outpatient procedure
- Little to no need for opioid pain medications
- Shorter recovery time compared to surgery
- Personalized treatment based on your specific condition
Is the Regenexx Approach Right for Your Disc Tear?
Physicians in the licensed Regenexx network are dedicated to giving you the information you need to make an informed decision about your best treatment option.
During your initial appointment, a physician will perform an exhaustive evaluation to identify the root cause of your pain by utilizing a full range of motion test, SANS evaluation, and advanced ultrasound imaging when needed. Once the evaluation is completed, your doctor will determine if the Regenexx approach is right for you and will discuss your customized treatment plan based on your specific needs.
Am I a candidate?Webinar: Exploring Non-Surgical Options For Back Pain
Join Dr. Chris Centeno, founder of Regenexx, for a free webinar exploring how Regenexx procedures may help relieve back pain from disc tears, without surgery.
During this free webinar, you’ll learn:
- How do procedures using bone marrow concentrate (BMC) and platelet-rich plasma (PRP) compare to surgery and other spine pain treatment options
- Procedure expectations
- Answers to the most common questions about regenerative medicine treatments
