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Lumbar disc herniation (ICD-10 M51.2) occurs when the nucleus pulposus of an intervertebral disc displaces through the annulus fibrosus and compresses neighboring nerve structures. At Regeneris Therapy we combine an honest evaluation, recent imaging and mesenchymal stem cell therapy as a middle path between failed conservative care and surgery — for patients who meet clear clinical criteria.
Lumbar disc herniation is one of the most common causes of chronic low back pain and sciatica in adults between 30 and 60 years of age. The intervertebral disc is made of a gelatinous nucleus pulposus, rich in proteoglycans, surrounded by a collagen-rich annulus fibrosus. When that annulus cracks — due to aging, repetitive loading, microtrauma or a sudden effort — nucleus material can protrude, extrude or sequester into the spinal canal or lateral recesses. There it compresses the corresponding nerve root and releases inflammatory mediators that sustain the pain.
The most frequently affected levels are L5-S1, followed by L4-L5. These locations explain the classic radiation pattern: pain that travels down the buttock, the posterior thigh and the leg (sciatica), often with tingling, focal foot weakness or a diminished Achilles reflex. Not every herniation looks the same on MRI nor hurts the same in clinic. In fact, up to 30 % of asymptomatic adults show some degree of disc protrusion on imaging, which is why clinical correlation with imaging is mandatory before any therapeutic decision.
Regeneris Therapy operates under a COFEPRIS aviso de funcionamiento and our medical team evaluates each case with a recent MRI, neurological examination, functional scales such as Oswestry and, when appropriate, electromyography. We only propose regenerative therapy when the clinical picture, the imaging and the patient meet the criteria supported by the literature. When the case calls for surgery, we say so honestly and refer.
This page is informational and does not replace a medical consultation. If you have a confirmed herniation and are weighing options, an individual evaluation is warranted: spine decisions are not made on the basis of an isolated MRI, but by integrating symptoms, examination, imaging and your functional goals.
Lumbar disc herniation is the end result of a degenerative process that usually develops over years, even though the clinical presentation can be sudden after a single effort. With age and mechanical load, the disc loses water, proteoglycans and height, and the annulus fibrosus develops radial fissures. Against that fragile background, a combined flexion-rotation movement, lifting a heavy object with poor technique, or repeated microtrauma can trigger nucleus pulposus migration.
The best-documented risk factors are: age 30 to 50, male sex, occupations requiring heavy lifting or whole-body vibration (drivers, construction workers), a sedentary lifestyle with weak core musculature, smoking (which impairs disc nutrition), overweight and obesity, genetic predisposition, and a history of pregnancy or previous lumbar surgery. Diabetes and metabolic syndrome also accelerate disc degeneration.
It is important to understand that herniation pain is not purely mechanical. When the nucleus pulposus is exposed to the epidural space it releases inflammatory mediators — TNF-α, interleukins — that chemically sensitize the nerve root. This explains why some small herniations hurt enormously and why some bulky herniations are silent: the biochemical component is as important as the compressive one. It also explains why therapies that modulate inflammation, including regenerative medicine, can have a real clinical role.
The therapeutic spectrum for lumbar disc herniation is broad: active rest, physical therapy, anti-inflammatories, muscle relaxants, epidural corticosteroid injection and, at the far end, surgery (microdiscectomy or fusion). Regenerative medicine does not replace any of these steps; it occupies a specific niche in patients who have failed structured conservative care, are not urgent surgical candidates and have a contained herniation with preserved neurology.
Mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) therapy for the spine works through a paracrine mechanism: MSCs release growth factors, anti-inflammatory cytokines and extracellular vesicles that modulate the local environment of the disc and the nerve root. They do not 'dissolve' a herniated fragment nor 'rebuild' the disc as if it were an engineered part; what current evidence supports is their ability to reduce the inflammatory cascade, support the few resident nucleus pulposus cells in matrix synthesis, and decrease the activity of metalloproteinases that degrade proteoglycans.
Application is always performed under fluoroscopic guidance — never blindly — with two possible targets depending on the case: intradiscal injection (into the nucleus pulposus of the affected disc) and/or periradicular/transforaminal injection (in the vicinity of the irritated nerve root). The approach, dose and cell source are chosen after a medical evaluation considering the Pfirrmann grade of the disc, annular integrity, age, comorbidities and functional goals. We pair the procedure with rehabilitation focused on core stabilization, postural hygiene and progressive return to activity — without which the biological effect rarely translates into sustained clinical improvement.
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Our core service of traceable allogeneic MSC application, with differentiated protocols for spine, joints and systemic indications.
Dedicated protocol for disc herniation and chronic low back pain: evaluation, imaging, fluoroscopy-guided injection and targeted rehabilitation.
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See the full landscape of treatments we offer in Cancún and the science behind each one.
Lumbar disc herniation has a relatively favorable natural history: up to two thirds of patients with acute sciatica improve within 6 to 12 weeks with conservative treatment, and many small herniations partially resorb through spontaneous inflammatory mechanisms. The real clinical challenge are the patients who remain in pain beyond 3 months, who fail conservative care and who either do not want — or are not ideal candidates for — open or minimally invasive surgery.
In this subgroup, MSC therapy under fluoroscopic guidance can offer clinically meaningful improvement: published studies — including controlled trials and prospective series — report reductions in visual analog pain scales (VAS) and improvements in Oswestry disability index sustained at 12 and 24 months in selected patients. Some patients show subtle signs of better disc hydration or stabilization of the affected level on follow-up MRI; others show no measurable structural change despite symptomatic improvement. Both scenarios are consistent with the literature.
What the evidence does not support — and therefore what we do not promise — is the 'disappearance' of the herniation, a guarantee of avoiding future surgery, or immediate results. We also do not recommend the procedure in patients with large migrated sequestrations, severe stenosis, progressive neurological deficit or cauda equina syndrome: in those cases surgery is the indicated treatment and delaying it to try regenerative therapy is a clinical error. Our commitment is to tell you honestly which group you belong to before proposing any procedure.
Not mechanically. Mesenchymal stem cell therapy does not dissolve a herniated fragment nor 'resorb' the herniation the way a surgical intervention would. What the evidence supports is its anti-inflammatory and paracrine effect: it can modulate the chemical environment of the disc and nerve root, reduce pain and, in some patients, improve disc hydration markers on MRI. The realistic goal is to reduce pain and improve function, not to eliminate the herniation.
Revisado por Dra. Claudia Labastida · 2026-05-27
Most likely not. The best candidates are patients with a contained herniation or disc protrusion, without large migrated sequestration, without severe stenosis and without progressive neurological deficit. Patients with large migrated sequestrations, significant motor compromise, saddle anesthesia or cauda equina syndrome require surgical evaluation, not regenerative therapy. We will tell you honestly which group you belong to after reviewing your MRI and examination.
Revisado por Dra. Claudia Labastida · 2026-05-27
It depends on your clinical profile and imaging. Intradiscal injection — into the nucleus of the affected disc — is used when the discogenic component is dominant and the degeneration grade (Pfirrmann II-IV) allows it. Periradicular or transforaminal injection targets the irritated nerve root when sciatica and neural inflammation predominate. In some cases both are combined in the same session. The decision is made in consultation after reviewing your MRI and symptoms.
Revisado por Dra. Claudia Labastida · 2026-05-27
Fluoroscopy-guided application takes between 30 and 60 minutes, under local anesthesia with conscious sedation if needed. The patient is then observed for 1-2 hours and in most cases walks back to their accommodation the same day. The first 3 to 7 days require relative rest — no heavy lifting, no forced bending and no abrupt rotation. Targeted physical therapy starts in weeks 2-4 and progresses steadily.
Revisado por Dra. Claudia Labastida · 2026-05-27
Most patients describe a gradual improvement, not an instantaneous one. Some perceive a reduction in inflammatory pain within the first 2-4 weeks; functional gains (better sitting tolerance, reduced radiating pain) tend to consolidate between months 1 and 3; peak biological effects are observed between months 3 and 6. Follow-up MRI, when indicated, is performed at 6-12 months. A proportion of patients does not achieve the expected benefit; we will tell you so honestly before the procedure.
Revisado por Dra. Claudia Labastida · 2026-05-27
Not immediately. Analgesics, anti-inflammatories and muscle relaxants can still be used while the regenerative effect consolidates. If you have had prior epidural injections, we will discuss how much time to leave between those and the MSC procedure in order to optimize results. Any adjustment to background medication is coordinated with you and, where relevant, with your treating physician.
Revisado por Dra. Claudia Labastida · 2026-05-27
Fluoroscopy-guided procedures on the lumbar spine have a favorable safety profile when performed by a trained team. Reported adverse effects are generally mild: pain or discomfort at the puncture site for 24-72 hours, localized bruising, transient low-grade fever or brief headache. Serious risks (disc infection, nerve injury) are very rare with sterile technique and image guidance. We will review risks, benefits and alternatives in detail before you sign any informed consent.
Revisado por Dra. Claudia Labastida · 2026-05-27
We work exclusively with cellular products processed in Mexican laboratories licensed by COFEPRIS, with full chain-of-custody documentation. The allogeneic MSCs we use are typically derived from umbilical cord tissue (Wharton's jelly), an internationally recognized source for its immunomodulatory and safety profile. Origin documentation and quality controls are available for your review.
Revisado por Dra. Claudia Labastida · 2026-05-27
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Every disc herniation is different. Book an evaluation with our medical team in Cancún: we will review your MRI, your neurological examination and your history, and tell you honestly whether stem cell therapy is a reasonable option for your case — or whether another path, including surgery when clinically indicated, would serve you better.