A recent series of clinical trials showed that injections of a hydrogel were effective in treating chronic lower back pain caused by degenerative disc disease.
Restore the function of the intervertebral discs
Similar to pads filled with water, intervertebral discs contribute to the flexibility of the spine and absorb shocks. Unfortunately, with age or in the event of excessive stress, these wear out and dry out, causing significant pain and affecting our mobility. Currently, treatment is largely limited to physical therapy, painkillers, or, in more severe cases, surgery to remove the discs or replace them with prostheses.
Originally unveiled in 2020, thehydrogel Hydrafil has been specially formulated so that it can be injected into the spine and fill cracks and tears in affected discs, thus restoring their function and relieving pain. On the occasion of the annual meeting of the Society of Interventional Radiologythe society ReGelTec revealed the results of its first clinical trials.
These involved 20 patients between the ages of 22 and 69, all of whom suffered from chronic pain in the From due to degenerative disc disease. All had rated their pain level as four or more on a scale of ten, and had reported only mild relief with existing therapies.
Promising results
The gel was first heated to form a thick liquid, injected with a needle into the affected discs. When it cooled and reached body temperature, it exhibited the same biomechanical properties as the natural disc. During the six months following the procedure, subjects reported a significant reduction in paindown from 7.1 out of 10 on average to 2.0.
Asked to complete a questionnaire assessing the extent to which their lower back pain affected their daily tasks, the average score fell from 48 to 6.
According ReGelTec, this procedure shows particular promise for treating chronic low back pain in people for whom traditional methods offer little results. ” The gel is easy to administer, does not require open surgery, and patients can get up and walk just one to two hours following the procedure “, highlighted Douglas Bealllead author of the study.