Purpose To determine the repeatability of magnetic resonance (MR) elastography-derived shear stiffness measurements of the intervertebral disc (IVD) taken throughout the day and their relationship with IVD degeneration and subject age. Materials and Methods In a cross-sectional study, in vivo lumbar MR elastography was performed once in the morning and once in the afternoon in 47 subjects witho...

STUDY DESIGN In vitro experimental study. OBJECTIVE To investigate the effect of low-intensity pulsed ultrasound (LIPUS) on the extracellular matrix (ECM) synthesis of degenerative human nucleus pulposus cells and explore the molecular mechanism. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA LIPUS has been used successfully for bone fracture healing and been proved to be effective in stimulating ECM metabolis...

The nucleus pulposus is an aggrecan-rich, avascular tissue that permits the intervertebral disk to resist compressive loads. In the disk, nucleus pulposus cells express hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF)-1alpha, a transcription factor that responds to oxygen tension and regulates glycolysis. The goal of the present study was to examine the importance of HIF-1alpha in rat nucleus pulposus cells and ...

Back pain related to intervertebral disc degeneration is the most common musculoskeletal problem, with a lifetime prevalence of 82%. The lack of effective treatment for this widespread problem is directly related to our limited understanding of disc development, maintenance and degeneration. The aim of this study was to determine the developmental origins of nucleus pulposus cells within the in...

Objective(s): This research is to study the influences of different concentrations of simvastatin on the biological activities of nucleus pulposus-derived mesenchymal stem cells (NPMSC).Materials and Methods: NPMSC were cultured with different concentrations of simvastatin (0, 0.01, 0.1, and 1 μM) and assessed to determine the possible e...

Herniated nucleus pulposus (HNP) is a common disease that induces back pain and radicular pain. Some cases require surgical treatment due to persistent severe pain. However, in some cases, pain can be relieved with conservative treatment or at times relived spontaneously. Therefore, the most effective treatment method for HNP is undefinable. Spontaneous regression of HNP has been recognized wit...

BACKGROUND CONTEXT The intervertebral disc is a common source of low back pain (LBP). Prospective studies suggest that treatments that intermittently distract the disc might be beneficial for chronic LBP. Although the potential exists for distraction therapies to affect the disc biomechanically, their effect on intradiscal stress is debated. PURPOSE To determine if distraction alone, distract...