The Intervertebral Disc

The intervertebral disc is a complex structure that separates opposing vertebrae, permits a wide range of motion, and accommodates high biomechanical forces. Disc degeneration leads to a loss of function and is often associated with excruciating pain. Written by leading scientists and clinicians, the first part of the book provides a review of the basic biology of the disc in health and disease. The second part considers strategies to mitigate the effects of disc degeneration and discusses the possibility of engineering replacement tissues. The final section is devoted to approaches to model normal development and elucidate the pathogenesis of degenerative disc disease using animal, organ and cell culture techniques. The book bridges the gap between the basic and clinical sciences; the target audience includes basic scientists, orthopaedists and neurologists, while at the same time appealing to the needs of graduate students, medical students, interns and fellows.

Bogduk aims to provide a foundation of knowledge upon which an understanding of the various treatment and therapy techniques of the different specialities involved can be built. This edition includes discussion of the sacrum and sacro-iliac joint.

Advances in Intervertebral Disc Disease in Dogs and Cats defines our present knowledge of this common clinical problem, compiling information related to the canine and feline intervertebral disc into a single resource. As a comprehensive, focused work, the book is an authoritative reference for understanding and treating disc disease, providing a sound scientific and clinical basis for decision making. Offering an objective synthesis of the current literature, the book supplies guidance on the approach to a potential disc rupture, surgical and medical strategies, and management of the patient. Offering a complete understanding of intervertebral disc disease, the book describes and discusses the controversies and issues surrounding this topic, acknowledging the gaps in our knowledge. Advances in Intervertebral Disc Disease in Dogs and Cats presents up-to-date, reliable information on this common condition for veterinary surgeons, neurologists, and general practitioners.

Written by leading authorities in the field of spine care, this book is a comprehensive reference for the latest techniques for managing intervertebral disc disorders affecting the lumbar spine. Divided into four main sections, the book opens with a review of fundamental basic science concepts, including epidemiology, anatomy, pathophysiology, biology, biomechanics, and mechanisms of pain. The second section focuses on the management of disc herniation, with chapters guiding clinicians from the pathophysiology of the herniated disc to clinical presentation to various treatment strategies. The final sections of the book present in-depth coverage of degenerative disc disease and provide essential information for imaging and testing, diagnosis, patient screening, treatment, and rehabilitation. Highlights: Detailed coverage of the latest innovations in the field, including nonsurgical treatments, minimally invasive procedures, biologic techniques, and motion-preserving procedures, enables clinicians to select the appropriate treatment for each clinical situation More than 200 high-quality illustrations and images demonstrate key concepts Valuable discussion of safety considerations and how to avoid and manage potential complications Ideal for practitioners and trainees with a focus on spinal disorders, this book will be an invaluable resource for orthopaedists, neurosurgeons, pain specialists, physiatrists, neuroradiologists, and researchers in these specialties.

Discover how the detailed structures of musculoskeletal tissue junctions relate to their mechanical function. This pioneering book, richly illustrated with tissue images, offers a rigorous, biomechanical approach to understanding the soft-hard tissue interface across multiple scales of resolution.

Mesenchymal Stem Cells: Isolation, Characterization, and Applications thoroughly presents the isolation, characterization, and some applications of mesenchymal stem cells in the clinic. The book has two parts: "Isolation and Characterization" and "Clinical Perspectives and Applications." In Part I, the subsequent chapters introduce some techniques in isolation, characterization, and purification of mesenchymal stem cells in different tissues. In Part II, some applications of mesenchymal stem cells in the popular diseases, which include cartilage regeneration, spinal cord injury, and osteoarthritis, are discussed. This book provides a succinct yet comprehensive overview of mesenchymal stem cells for advanced students, graduate students, and researchers.

This book provides a brief snapshot of recent research on the subject of intervertebral disc degeneration and how this specific organ could be regenerated. It provides stimuli to the reader in representing research from different angles in this cross-disciplinary field of spine surgeons, mechanical engineers and biologists. In particular, it is instructive as to how disc herniations could be successfully induced in vitro and, also, to how novel cell-based therapies using rare autochthonous stem cells could potentially be used in the future.