OBJECTIVE To evaluate the efficacy of intradiscal methylene blue (MB) injection in patients with chronic discogenic low back pain. METHOD Twenty patients with discogenic low back pain (4 males, 16 females; mean age 45.6 years) refractory to conservative management were recruited. All subjects underwent MB injection in target lumbar intervertebral discs confirmed by provocative discography. Th...

Introduction: The aim of this study was to study if lidocaine exhibits a toxic effect on bovine-derived nucleus pulposus (NP) cells in an in vitro study. Provocative discography is utilized by some physicians in the evaluation of back pain that may be discogenic in origin, and some variations of the technique suggest infiltration of lidocaine into the outer anulus fibrosus prior to intradiscal ...

A major gap exists between fusion oriented surgeons and Pain Management leaders, bridged by transforaminal endoscopic surgeons represented by the International Intradiscal and Transforaminal Therapy Society (formerly IITS). Current surgical philosophy by key opinion leaders (KOL’s) focus on attaining fusion of the painful spinal segment by emphasizing femoral-pelvic and overall spine sagittal a...

INTRODUCTION Chronic low back pain due to intervertebral disc (IVD) degeneration is associated with increased levels of inflammatory mediators. Current medical treatment consists of oral anti-inflammatory drugs to alleviate pain. In this study, the efficacy and safety of a novel thermoreversible poly-N-isopropylacrylamide MgFe-layered double hydroxide (pNIPAAM MgFe-LDH) hydrogel was evaluated f...

Annular Reinforcement Device represents a modification of operative treatment of intervertebral disk herniation. It is a prosthesis that is anchored into the body of the vertebra. The intradiscal part of the implant is placed in the inner part of the annulus fibrosus defect. The aim of this technique is to reduce the incidence of reherniation and the degree of intervertebral space collapse, whi...

STUDY DESIGN Magnetic resonance discography using gadolinium as an intradiscal contrast agent was investigated in a prospective study. OBJECTIVE To evaluate the utility of magnetic resonance discography using gadolinium as an intradiscal contrast agent, as compared with the current standard of computed tomographic discography using intradiscal iodinated contrast agent. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND...

This paper reports the development of a miniature fiber optic pressure sensor system for in vitro intradiscal pressure measurements for rodents. The primary focus of this work is the design and fabrication of a sensor element with a multi-layer polymer-metal diaphragm. This diaphragm consists of a base polyimide layer (150 nm thick), a metal reflective layer (1 μm thick), and another polyimide ...

Title of Document: MINIATURE FIBER OPTIC PRESSURE SENSORS FOR INTERVERTEBRAL DISC PRESSURE MEASUREMENTS IN RODENTS Silas Nesson, M.S., 2007 Directed By: Assistant Professor Miao Yu, Department of Mechanical Engineering Mechanical stress due to interstitial fluid pressures can play a major role in the development of disc degeneration, a common cause of lower back pain. Pressures generated in the...

LBP is one of the most common reasons for visiting a doctor and is the most common cause of disability under age 45.Amongst a variety of etiologies, internal disc disruption (IDD) has been postulated as an important cause of low back pain. Treating discogenic low back pain continues to be a challenge to physicians. Inflammation, either from direct chemical irritation or secondary to an autoimmu...