Degeneration of the intervertebral disc：pathogenesis and repair / 中国组织工程研究

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND:So far, the pathogenesis of discogenic low back pain is poorly understood. A great diversity of therapeutic means is developed for discogenic low back pain, but the therapeutic outcomes are mixed. OBJECTIVE:To review the research progress in mechanisms and repair of intervertebral disc degeneration in recent years. METHODS: The first author retrieved the PubMed and CNKI databases for relevant articles published before November 2014 using the keywords of “disc degeneration factor, discogenic low back pain, disc degeneration therapy” in English and Chinese, respectively. Initialy, 78 relevant articles were retrieved, but only 30 articles were included in result analysis folowing elimination of duplicate studies. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:The relatively respected factors for intervertebral disc degeneration include changes in morphology, inflammatory neurotransmitters and the extracelular matrix as wel as role of growth factors. The treatment for intervertebral disc degeneration stil focuses on the morphological restoration. Some surgical therapies, including percutaneous disc decompression, interbody fusion, artificial disc replacement, dynamic stabilization system, have the exact effects on the symptoms due to intervertebral disc degeneration.