The collagen of the intervertebral disc in adolescent idiopathic scoliosis

Abstract

The collagen content ofthe scoliotic nucleus pulposus was found to be higher than normal, particularly at the apex of the curve, but no consistent correlation was found with the spinal mobility or degree of curvature. The collagen content of the annulus fibrosus from scoliotic discs was shown to be abnormally distributed, again only in those discs encompassed by the curve. Since these abnormalities in absolute collagen distribution are dependent on location within the spine it is considered that they represent a consequence ofthe curvature rather than the cause. These results contrast with the pepsin extractability of collagen in the annulus fibrosus, which was abnormal in all the scoliotic discs examined, and found to be independent oflocation. While the precise interpretation ofthese latter findings is complex, it would seem that a subtle defect in collagen does exist within the scoliotic disc which, coupled with extraspinal influences, may play an important role in progression of the scoliotic curve.