We Don’t Just Treat the Disc. We Treat the Whole Spine.
Most back pain is not a single-structure problem, and treating it like one is why so many patients cycle through injections, therapy, and even surgery without lasting relief. At Palm Beach Regenerative, every back pain patient is evaluated through the lens of the Functional Spinal Unit (FSU), the complete biomechanical system responsible for your spine’s stability, movement, and pain signals. We identify every contributing structure, then treat precisely what needs treating, guided in real time by imaging.
Results vary. Not all patients are candidates. Dr. Ghattas will discuss realistic expectations for your specific condition.
What is the Functional Spinal Unit (FSU)?
The Functional Spinal Unit is the smallest segment of the spine that replicates the mechanical behavior of the entire spinal column. Each FSU consists of two adjacent vertebrae and all the structures that connect them: the intervertebral disc, paired facet joints, anterior and posterior ligaments, nerve roots, and the deep stabilizing muscles, particularly the multifidus. These structures do not work in isolation. When one fails, the others compensate and often become painful themselves.
This is why treating “the disc” alone, or blocking “the nerve” alone, rarely resolves chronic back pain. The disc may be the visible finding on MRI, but the facet joints, ligaments, and destabilized multifidus are equally involved in generating and perpetuating the pain. The FSU approach means we look at all of them.
What we evaluate and treat in every back pain patient
- Intervertebral Discs
The disc is the most recognized source of back pain, but disc pathology (herniation, degeneration, annular tears) is rarely the whole story. We assess disc health as part of the FSU and treat the disc-adjacent environment in most cases. Direct disc injection is reserved for carefully selected cases only. - Lumbar Facet Joints
The most common source of axial low back pain, often responsible even when the MRI highlights a disc. Ten facet joints in the lumbar spine guide every movement. Image-guided PRP or prolotherapy to the facet joint capsules is typically the primary treatment target in our lumbar FSU approach. - Spinal Ligaments
The interspinous, supraspinous, and iliolumbar ligaments stabilize each lumbar segment. Ligament laxity allows excessive motion, a key driver of chronic instability pain that is almost never addressed by conventional treatments. - Nerve Roots and Epidural Space
When a disc herniation, bone spur, or stenosis compresses a nerve root, the result is sciatica, radiating leg pain, numbness, or weakness. Image-guided epidural PRP and perineural hydrodissection address the inflammatory environment around the affected root. - Multifidus Muscle
The deepest spinal stabilizer, and the one most consistently atrophied in chronic back pain patients. Multifidus atrophy is visible on MRI and represents both a cause and a consequence of spinal instability. No injection-based treatment is complete without addressing this structure through targeted rehabilitation. - Sacroiliac Joints
Frequently overlooked, the SI joints are a significant source of low back, buttock, and posterior thigh pain. They are co-treated with the lumbar FSU when dysfunction is identified, because untreated SI joint instability undermines any lumbar treatment.
The problem with single-structure thinking
Standard pain management targets the most visible finding on MRI, usually the disc. Epidural steroid injections dampen inflammation around the nerve, and discectomy removes the offending disc fragment. These approaches can help, and Dr. Ghattas will tell you honestly when they are the right choice. But for patients with chronic, recurrent, or multi-level back pain, single-structure treatment often provides temporary relief because it leaves the rest of the FSU, the facets, ligaments, and multifidus, untreated and unstable.
| Approach | What it targets | What it misses |
|---|---|---|
| Epidural steroid injection | Nerve root inflammation | Disc, facets, ligaments, multifidus |
| Discectomy / microdiscectomy | Herniated disc fragment | Facets, ligaments, multifidus, adjacent segments |
| Spinal fusion | Instability at one segment | Adjacent segment overload, multifidus, SI joints |
| FSU approach (PBRSS) | All contributing structures — disc, facets, ligaments, nerves, multifidus, SI joints | Nothing |
Back conditions addressed through the FSU approach
Each condition below has its own dedicated page. All are evaluated and treated within the FSU framework — meaning no condition is viewed in isolation. Click any condition to learn more.
| Condition | Overview |
|---|---|
| Degenerative Disc Disease (Herniated / Bulging Discs) | Disc height loss, annular tears, herniation causing back pain and/or nerve symptoms |
| Sciatica (Lumbar Radiculopathy) | Nerve root compression causing radiating leg pain, numbness, or weakness |
| Spondylolisthesis (Grade I–II) | Vertebral slippage causing instability, back pain, and often radiculopathy |
| Multifidus Atrophy | Deep stabilizer muscle loss — a root cause of chronic low back pain and instability |
| Lumbar Facet Syndrome | Facet joint arthritis — the most common cause of axial low back pain |
| Sacroiliac Joint Dysfunction | SI joint instability or arthritis causing buttock and posterior thigh pain |
| Lumbar Spinal Stenosis | Canal narrowing causing neurogenic claudication or multilevel radiculopathy |
| Chronic Low Back Pain | Multi-factorial persistent pain involving multiple FSU structures |
What sets our back pain approach apart
| Outcome tracking via Regenexx registry | Structured follow-up at 6 weeks, 3 months, 6 months, and 12 months. We measure what we do and adjust based on your individual response — not protocol alone. |
| Double board-certified neurologist | Dr. Ghattas’s neurology training adds clinical depth for the nerve root, spinal cord, and radiculopathy components that a standard pain management approach may underweight. |
| Honest about surgery | When surgery is the right answer, Dr. Ghattas will tell you — and refer you to an excellent surgical specialist. The goal is your outcome, not the procedure count. |
| Every injection image-guided | Real-time ultrasound and fluoroscopy guidance ensures accurate delivery to the exact target. Not approximate — confirmed before every injection. |
FDA/FTC Compliance Note: Per Regenexx guidelines, never claim to regenerate or rebuild discs. The majority of spine procedures use PRP, not BMC. Direct disc injection is performed only in carefully selected cases. Always qualify outcomes (many patients experience improvement) and acknowledge when surgery is more appropriate.
Like all medical procedures, orthobiologic treatments have potential risks and benefits and results vary by individual. Not all patients are candidates. The majority of spine procedures use platelet-rich plasma (PRP) rather than bone marrow concentrate. These treatments do not regenerate or rebuild damaged discs or spinal structures. Dr. Ghattas will discuss your specific situation, realistic expectations, and all options, including when surgical referral is more appropriate. This content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.
NEXT STEP
Ready to understand the real source of your back pain?
Dr. Ghattas will review your imaging and assess your lumbar spine as a complete system, then discuss which structures are contributing and whether orthobiologic treatment is appropriate for your specific case.
●PATIENT OUTCOMES
Patient Experiences
"Over a year ago, both my daughter and I underwent PRP treatment with Dr. Ghattas—PRP for my left knee and PRP for my daughter’s L4-L5 and sacral region. We wanted to wait long enough to truly evaluate the results before sharing our experience. I am pleased to say that the outcomes have been outstanding. My daughter’s improvement has been remarkable, and the treatment has made a significant difference in her quality of life. I have also experienced excellent results with my knee. Dr. Ghattas is an exceptional physician who combines expertise, professionalism, and genuine care for his patients. We are incredibly grateful for the treatment we received and the positive impact it has had on our lives. Thank you, Dr. Ghattas. We are truly grateful for everything you have done. You are simply the best."
Dr Jorge A
"Dr. Ghattas offered me PRP treatments for my lower spine and Si joints. He was very measured in his approach and thorough in delivery. I can honestly say, it was the best decision I could have ever made. I’m now able to work out again and more importantly- live - without pain! Thank you, Dr. Ghattas!"
Jim C
"I had PRP in my neck and lower back, both spots had herniated disc’s, I’ve had really good results with both procedures. Palm Beach Regenerative sport and Spine gave me top quality care and were very informative, I’m glad I went this route instead of surgery. Paul Jones"
Paul J
"This is a genuine, heartfelt account of my experience—a rarity for me, but one I feel compelled to share when something truly stands out. I’ve dealt with chronic back issues for years. Three damaged discs, episodes of flare-ups every few months, followed by days of stiffness and discomfort before life resumes its usual rhythm...."
Seth R
These testimonials reflect the real-life experiences of patients with the Regenexx protocol but are not necessarily typical of what you or any other patient might experience. Individual results of the procedures using Regenexx lab processes will vary depending on a number of factors, including your diagnosis, the severity of your condition, your overall health, and others. To better understand what large numbers of patients experience on average, please visit the Patient Results page, and inquire with a physician within the licensed Regenexx network near you.
