Discseel® vs. Spinal Fusion vs. Surgery
When chronic back pain reaches the point where you're considering a procedure, you'll usually encounter several very different options. They're not interchangeable — they rest on different philosophies about how to address a damaged disc. Understanding the differences helps you ask better questions when you talk to a provider.
The two philosophies: repair vs. restructure
Most surgical approaches to disc pain work by changing the structure of the spine. The Discseel® Procedure works by trying to repair the disc you already have. That single distinction drives most of the differences below.
Spinal fusion
Spinal fusion joins two or more vertebrae together so they heal into a single, solid bone, eliminating motion at that segment. It's a well-established surgery often used for instability or severe degeneration.
- Approach: Surgical; hardware such as screws and rods is often used.
- Invasiveness: Major surgery with incisions and a structured recovery period.
- Trade-off: Eliminating motion at one segment can place additional stress on adjacent segments over time — something surgeons weigh carefully.
Discectomy / traditional disc surgery
Other surgeries remove part or all of a damaged disc or the material pressing on a nerve.
- Approach: Surgical removal of disc material.
- Invasiveness: Ranges from minimally invasive to open surgery depending on the case.
- Trade-off: Removing disc material addresses the immediate problem but does not restore the disc itself.
The Discseel® Procedure
The Discseel® Procedure takes the repair-focused path. Rather than fusing or removing, it uses a biologic fibrin sealant to close tears in the disc wall, with the goal of supporting the disc's natural healing.
- Approach: Non-surgical; performed through a needle, no incision.
- Invasiveness: Minimally invasive.
- Trade-off: It isn't appropriate for every condition — for example, certain structural problems or advanced cases may still require surgical options. Candidacy is determined through diagnostic imaging.
How to think about the choice
There's no single "best" option — the right choice depends on what's actually causing your pain, how advanced it is, and your overall health. A torn, leaking disc might be a strong Discseel® candidate; a severe structural instability might genuinely need fusion. The value of an evaluation is matching the treatment to the real problem rather than starting with the most or least invasive option.
At Emerald Coast Integrated Care, Dr. Gerald Mastaw — a retired Navy Lt. Commander and military physician, and a lead trainer for the Discseel® Procedure — can help you understand where it fits among your options, including being honest when it isn't the right fit.
Call (800) 931-6086 or learn more about the Discseel® Procedure.
Where to Find the Discseel® Procedure
The Discseel® Procedure is available at both of our Florida locations, performed by Dr. Gerald Mastaw:
The Coast — Destin (Emerald Coast Integrated Care) 3999 Commons Dr W, Ste B, Destin, FL 32541 Serving Destin, Shalimar, Fort Walton Beach, Niceville, Crestview, Pensacola, and the greater Emerald Coast — including the Eglin AFB and Hurlburt Field military communities.
The Heartland — Land O' Lakes (Veterans Spine and Discseel® Center of America) 16703 Early Riser Ave, Land O' Lakes, FL 34638 Serving Land O' Lakes, Pasco County, and the greater Tampa Bay area. View location details
Both locations: (800) 931-6086 · Mon – Fri, 9:30 am – 4:30 pm · Request an Appointment
About the Provider
Dr. Gerald Mastaw is a retired Navy Lt. Commander and military physician who serves as a lead trainer for the Discseel® Procedure, training other physicians across the country in the technique. As a veteran himself, he brings a particular focus to caring for the veteran and military community across the Emerald Coast and Tampa Bay. He performs the Discseel® Procedure at Emerald Coast Integrated Care.
This article is educational and is not medical advice. It is not a substitute for evaluation by a qualified provider, and it does not claim that any one treatment is superior for a given patient.