Does discography damage the discs?

[annapurna]

I know that chondrocyte transplatation for disc nucleus restoration is not FDA-approved per se. On the other hand, chondrocyte transplantation for repair of chondral defects in the knee and other joints has been FDA approved since the early 1990's, so, it's possible that use of the same technique for spinal disc could be considered "off-label".

As far as great expense goes, I was whining. Codon, the German cell culturing company that ProSpine uses, charges about 7000 euros to do the culturing. That's actually a good price for cell culturing compared to the going rate for bone marrow or adipose mesenchymal cell expansion and similar. It's a FABULOUS price compared to the $70,000 that Carticel charges to do the same thing here in the states for autologous chondrocyte transplantation. Of course, Carticel has the US monopoly, so...

Like most folks, I'm trying to balance investing in my body vs. my bank account in the face of potential job losses in my family, etc. We're all there, I guess.

Best to all,
Laura