Disk Degeneration Higher than Reported in the Youth at this Hospital
Goal of the Study? The goal of this study1 was to have a closer look at the younger population’s lower back MRI findings. Most epidemiological investigations on youth and back pain MRIs have looked at developed countries. In this study, the researchers looked at an underdeveloped country, Uganda, along with the youth’s clinical features of […]
Tensile forces create spinal spurs | Biomechanical Evaluation of Spondylophyte Development
Goal of the Study? Bone spurs that project off vertebral bodies (spondylophytes) are common. However, the causes of their development are somewhat curious. Are these vertebral spurs due to tensile (stretching/lengthening) forces, or are they due to compressive forces? In this study1 these researchers sought to find some answers. Why are they doing this study? […]
Low Rate Loading Regenerated Degenerated Discs
Goal of the Study? The regenerative potential of a degenerated disc has been questioned over the years. In this ISSLS prize-winning study1, these researchers looked at a particular low load rate, a special rate they have been investigating for years. Discs have a propensity to degenerate, likely due to their avascularity and nutrient supply routes, but […]
Mechanical Strain Accelerates Intervertebral Disc Degeneration Through Circadian Rhythm Disruption
Goal of the Study? The intervertebral disc often plays a role in back pain. In this study1 researchers were curious about how disrupting the natural circadian clock could influence the intervertebral disc and its degeneration. It is known that the intervertebral disc experiences night/day variations of load. During the night, the disc experiences significantly reduced […]
Fundamentals of Intervertebral Disc Degeneration
Goal of the Study? In this review article from the Annals of Weill Cornell Neurological Surgery1 the authors’ goals were twofold: a) Cover the underlying pathophysiology and risk factors of Degenerative Disc Disease and b) Provide a comprehensive summary of the development, structural, radiological and biomechanical properties of human Intervertebral discs. Why are they […]
Vacuum Phenomenon – What is it and can it tell us anything about the dynamics of the spine?
Goal of the Study? Intradiscal vacuum phenomenon is a commonly observed radiological finding in the spine but not much is known about its pathophysiology. A recent paper was published in The European Spine Journal1 and sought to explore more about this curious phenomenon by looking at patients with it and to see if the anatomical […]
Clinical anatomy of the lumbar sinuvertebral nerve with regard to discogenic low back pain and review of literature
Goal of the Study? In this clinical anatomical study and literature review article from the European Spine Journal 1 the authors’ goals were twofold: (a) identify the anatomical mechanism of the Sinuvertebral Nerve in its relationship to lumbar discogenic pain and (b) clarify the different morphological aspects of the Sinuvertebral Nerve they found to those […]
Increased Expression in Nucleus Pulposus Cells in Response to High Oxygen
Goal of the Study? In this qualitative primary research study from the Oxidative Medicine and Cellular Longevity Journal 1 the authors’ goal was to determine the potential role of the Integrin Alpha 6 receptor in the inner nucleus pulposus in response to high oxygen tension in intervertebral disc degeneration. Why are they doing this […]
Clinical and MRI findings in degenerative lumbar spinal stenosis
Goal of the Study? In this cross-sectional study from the European Spine Journal 1 the authors’ primary goal was to describe the relationship between MRI findings in patients planned for degenerative Lumbar Spinal Stenosis (LSS) surgery and examine if any association exists between MRI findings and patient’s disability and pain attributes. Why are they […]