The standard approach to fixing this is to do laminectomies to provide more clearance for the nerves or worse, do fusions on the spine area.

However, there is a much simpler and cheaper way to help and that is to restore the height of the spinal disc by shooting some type of fluid into it. Researchers have been working on various formulations for years and years but as with all things medical, it takes decades to get new technologies out of the lab.

As a person with long term spine problems (4 surgeries over the past 35 years!), I have a lot of experience in this area.

Over the last six years or so, I was suffering increasing sciatica pains in my left buttocks and down my left leg. A couple of epidural shots yearly would help, sometimes more, sometimes less. A number of spine surgeons tried to push me into getting a fusion, which I refused over and over again.

Last September, I was able to get a newly available allograft shot in the L5 disc from a company called Vivex. It took about 6 months but since the spring, the constant left side sciatica pain I have lived with for years has almost completely resolved! Also my foot numbness has improved.

We had L4 scheduled for a similar shot a couple of months after the L5 shot in the hopes it would help resolve other problems.

But unfortunately, Medicare took issue with the shot and even though it has been FDA approved, apparently is calling it still “experimental” and has refused to pay for the shot or any future ones. This is currently under appeal but that can take years with CMS/Medicare.

If people have spinal disc compression or desiccation problems, they should investigate the availability from their insurance company of this technology for nerve improvement.