Patients evaluating non-surgical disc treatment commonly ask about candidacy criteria, the evaluation process, and expected outcomes. Candidates have annular tears in viable discs and documented failure of conservative care. The evaluation includes imaging review, focused exam, and a candidacy answer. Outcomes show 83% long-term success in published cohorts.
Key Takeaways
- Candidacy depends on imaging-confirmed annular tears in viable discs.
- Failure of conservative care strengthens the case.
- The evaluation is structured around imaging plus focused exam.
- Outcomes show 83% long-term success in tracked cohorts.
- Individual outcomes vary; honest exclusion is part of evaluation.
What This Guide Covers
What are the candidacy criteria?
Candidates have imaging showing discrete annular tears, reasonably preserved disc height, documented failure of conservative care, and pain pattern that correlates with imaging. Severe instability, end-stage degeneration, fracture, infection, and pure facet or sacroiliac pain are exclusions.
What does the evaluation flow look like?
The evaluation includes pre-visit records review, in-person focused history and exam, imaging walk-through with the patient, and a candidacy answer at the end. Most evaluations run 45 to 60 minutes. Patients receive a yes, a no, or a “needs more imaging” answer.
What are expected outcomes?
Published cohorts show an 83% long-term success rate at 2-year follow-up among the 7,000+ tracked patients. VAS pain scores moved from 72.4mm baseline to 33.0mm at 104 weeks. Patient satisfaction at 2+ years has been reported at 70%. Individual outcomes vary.
What do non-candidates receive?
Non-candidates receive an explanation of why the procedure does not fit and a referral toward the intervention that does. The Valor team’s posture is honest exclusion when honest exclusion is the right answer.
Clinical Note
Patients sometimes arrive expecting the evaluation to be a sales pitch. Our clinical staff is direct that it is not. The deliverable of the evaluation is clarity — a working diagnosis, a candidacy answer, and a recommended next step. When that next step is the procedure, we explain why. When it is not, we explain why and what fits better. Patients who walk in expecting a pitch and receive an honest evaluation tend to come back, regardless of whether their case fit the procedure.
Frequently Asked Questions
What if my imaging is unclear?
Additional imaging or provocation testing is the next step in some cases.
Can I be a candidate at any age?
Age is one factor among several. Older patients can be excellent candidates if imaging shows the right pattern.
What if conservative care has not been fully tried?
Optimization of conservative care is sometimes the recommended next step before evaluating the procedure.
This content is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. It is not a substitute for evaluation by a qualified physician. Treatment decisions depend on your individual medical history and clinical findings. Schedule a consultation to discuss whether the procedure is right for you.
