Total disc replacement using a tissue-engineered intervertebral disc in vivo: new animal model and initial results

Abstract

Introduction: Chronic back pain due to degenerative disc disease (DDD) is among the most important medical conditions causing morbidity and significant health care costs. Surgical treatment options include disc replacement or fusion surgery, but are associated with significant short- and long-term risks [1]. Biological tissue-engineering of human intervertebral discs (IVD) could offer an important alternative [2]. Recent in vitro data from our group have shown successful engineering and growth of ovine intervertebral disc composites with circumferentially aligned collagen fibrils in the annulus fibrosus (AF) (Figure [1]) [3].