By Dr. Vladimir Fiks, MD | Interventional Pain Management, Advanced Pain Management Center
Spine pain is one of the most common causes of chronic pain and disability in the United States. At Advanced Pain Management Center, patients have access to a range of non-surgical spine treatments, including spinal injections, decompression therapy, and spinal cord stimulation when appropriate. Regenexx adds another treatment option by focusing on the underlying tissue rather than symptom relief alone. For some Portland patients who have not found lasting improvement with anti-inflammatory medications and are not ready for surgery, regenerative treatment may be an appropriate next step.
Cervical Spine Conditions: Neck
The cervical spine is a common source of neck pain, radiating arm symptoms, and headaches, often driven by one of several structural conditions that respond well to regenerative therapy:
Cervical disc degeneration and herniation occur when disc material breaks down or protrudes, compressing nearby nerve roots and causing neck pain, arm numbness, or upper extremity weakness. Regenexx BMC can be applied to support disc repair in contained herniations and early-to-moderate degeneration.
Cervical facet arthritis is a leading driver of axial neck pain and is already treated at APMC through cervical medial branch blocks and radiofrequency ablation. Regenexx offers a regenerative complement to these procedures, targeting the joint degeneration itself rather than interrupting the pain signal.
Cervical instability, caused by weakened ligaments supporting the upper cervical spine, contributes to chronic neck pain and dysfunction in ways that injections alone cannot fully address. Regenerative prolotherapy-style treatment supports ligament integrity and functional stability.
Lumbar Spine Conditions: Lower Back
The lower back accounts for the majority of chronic spine pain cases, and each of the main structural sources can be evaluated for regenerative treatment:
Lumbar disc degeneration is the most common source of chronic low back pain. As the disc loses hydration and structural integrity, it narrows the space between vertebrae and can generate both local and referred pain. Regenexx BMC may support disc repair in early-to-moderate degeneration, offering a biological intervention where steroids would only reduce inflammation temporarily.
Lumbar facet arthritis is a common contributor to persistent low back pain. Regenexx PRP may be used as an alternative or complement to steroid facet injections for patients seeking a treatment option beyond short-term inflammation relief.
Sacroiliac joint dysfunction, in cases of degenerative SI joint disease that does not require fusion, can also respond to regenerative injection. Dr. Fiks also performs SI joint fusion and spinal cord stimulation for more advanced cases where conservative and regenerative options have been exhausted.
How Regenexx Fits into APMC's Spine Treatment Continuum
APMC’s spine care already spans a wide spectrum, from diagnostic imaging and physical therapy guidance through epidural steroid injections, facet procedures, and radiofrequency ablation, up to spinal cord stimulation and surgical coordination. Regenexx fits between conservative injection care and surgical intervention.
Patients who have tried epidural steroid injections and experienced meaningful but temporary relief are often the most compelling candidates for regenerative therapy. The question they are asking is whether anything can address the underlying tissue damage rather than reduce inflammation around it. For appropriately selected patients, Regenexx offers that possibility.
For a complete overview of how Regenexx works and what the procedure involves, visit our full Regenexx Portland overview page.
The Regenexx Spine Procedure
Regenexx spine injections are performed on an outpatient basis using image-guided BMC or PRP delivery into the target structure, whether that is a degenerative disc, a facet joint, or the sacroiliac joint. Dr. Fiks’s expertise in fluoroscopic guidance, described extensively in APMC’s injection therapies documentation, is directly applicable here. Patients are typically able to return to light activity within one to three days, with the full regenerative benefit developing over several months.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can Regenexx help with a herniated disc?
Regenexx may be appropriate for contained disc herniations and early-to-moderate degeneration. It is not used for large disc extrusions that compress the spinal cord or nerve roots to a degree that requires surgical decompression. Dr. Fiks reviews imaging carefully before recommending treatment.
Is regenerative spine treatment safe?
Regenexx uses the patient’s own cells, which significantly reduces the risk of rejection or adverse reaction. As with any interventional procedure, risks exist and are discussed thoroughly during the consultation. Dr. Fiks evaluates all candidates carefully before recommending treatment.
How does Regenexx for the spine differ from an epidural steroid injection?
Epidural steroids reduce the inflammation around a compressed or irritated nerve, which can provide meaningful short-term relief. Regenexx targets the damaged tissue itself, aiming to restore structural integrity at the biological source of the problem rather than reducing the inflammatory response around it.
Can I get Regenexx spine treatment if I have already had back surgery?
Prior surgery does not automatically disqualify a patient from regenerative therapy. Scar tissue, adjacent-level degeneration, and residual structural issues can sometimes be addressed with Regenexx. Dr. Fiks reviews each case individually to assess candidacy.
How long does recovery take after a Regenexx spine injection?
Most patients safely resume light activity within 1 to 3 days after the procedure. Full benefit may continue to develop over several months as the body’s regenerative response progresses. Activity restrictions and physical therapy recommendations are tailored to each patient’s diagnosis and procedure.
Portland’s spine pain specialists are ready to discuss whether Regenexx is right for you. Call (503) 295-0730 or book online at apmconline.org.
