Understanding the source of pain
What is disc degeneration?
Intervertebral discs sit between the bones of the spine. Their gel-like center, called the nucleus pulposus, acts as a shock absorber and helps the body bend, twist, and rotate.
With normal aging, wear and tear, or injury, a disc can dehydrate, flatten, and lose some of its natural cushioning. This process can leave the disc vulnerable to motion stress and may result in low back pain.
The nucleus pulposus
The nucleus pulposus is the soft, gel-like tissue at the center of each spinal disc. It is generally where the drying and dehydration associated with disc degeneration begins.
Healthy and degenerated disc illustration supplied by VIVEX.
Recognizing the pattern
What are the symptoms?
Disc-related low back pain generally involves stiffness, reduced flexibility, and difficulty performing daily activities. Symptoms may worsen during:
Low back pain can have many causes. A specialist can review your symptoms and imaging to determine whether disc degeneration may be contributing to your pain and whether VIA Disc NP may be appropriate.
A minimally invasive approach
How VIA Disc NP works
VIA Disc NP is an allograft consisting of nucleus pulposus tissue collected from the intervertebral disc of a donor. It is intended to supplement tissue loss within the gel-like nucleus pulposus of a degenerated disc.
The approved illustration shows the progression from a degenerated disc through delivery of VIA Disc NP and its intended cushioning support.
Approved patient education illustration. Images are illustrative and do not represent clinical outcomes.
Procedure overview
What to expect during the procedure
The procedure is intended to supplement tissue loss within an intervertebral disc. Your physician will discuss preparation, anesthesia, recovery, potential benefits, and risks based on your individual condition.
Patient education
See how the VIA Disc NP procedure works
This approved animation explains disc degeneration and illustrates how VIA Disc NP is delivered into the center of the intervertebral disc.
The animation is educational and does not replace a conversation with a qualified healthcare provider.
Take the next step
Patient resources
Review the approved patient materials and bring your questions to an appointment with your physician.
Important safety information
Allograft information: An allograft is tissue recovered from a human donor and transferred to a human recipient. Donors are screened and tested, and the tissue is processed to minimize the risk of disease transmission. As with any processed human donor tissue, VIA Disc NP cannot be guaranteed to be free of all pathogens. Trace amounts of Gentamicin or Vancomycin may remain following processing.
Possible adverse events and reactions may include, but are not limited to, infection, inflammation, pain, neurological injury, allergic or immune response, and complications related to the procedure or anesthesia. Your physician will discuss potential risks and whether the procedure is appropriate for you.
References: Farley T, et al. Life (Basel). 2024;14(7):812. Langhorst ML, et al. International Journal of Spine Surgery. Published online October 28, 2025. doi:10.14444/8808.
This information is educational and is not clinical advice. Images are illustrative and do not represent actual clinical outcomes. VIA Disc NP is a trademark of VIVEX Biologics, Inc. Source materials revised December 2025.
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