In-Vivo Kinematics of the Intervertebral Disc Allograft Transplantation: A Goat Model

INTRODUCTION: Disc Degenerative Disease (DDD) is one of the most common causes of low back pain (LBP), to date; there is no one effective treatment of DDD. Artifical disc implantation have been proposed as a motion preservation solution to DDD. However, studies of artificial disc implants have suggested that the artificial discs causes permanent changes in the kinematics of the spine and cannot fully restore normal mobility [1]. Intervertebral disc (IVD) allograft transplantation in the treatment of DDD have been investigated by various researchers[2]. In a recent clinical trial of the IVD allograft transplantation, Ruan et al. (2007) observed remodelling of the allograft and concluded that the transplanted allograft disc can preserve motion and stability of the spinal segment [3]. It is hypothesized that remodelling of the allograft implant can restore the kinematics of the functional spinal unit. Therefore, the kinematics of an allograft implant should be throughly investigated. This study aims at studying the biomechanics of the IVD allograft implant in a goat model.