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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Top Experts Share Clinical Insights on Biological Interventions for Spine-Related Disease Although there have been significant advancements in minimally invasive spinal surgery techniques in the last few decades, optimal outcomes for chronic low back pain remain elusive. A number of promising clinical trials have been conducted using tissue engineering and biological interventions for disc degeneration. Written by renowned innovators, this is the first book that covers implementation of these groundbreaking approaches for disc disease. The text begins with key fundamentals including anatomy and physiology, pathophysiology, imaging and biomechanics to delineate healthy versus diseased spine. Subsequent sections discuss treatment strategies, research findings, and future developments. Throughout each chapter, renowned spine surgeons and scientists share clinical pearls gleaned from hands-on experience. Key Highlights The current state of the art in biological and tissue engineering procedures for spinal disorders Treatment methodologies including nucleus replacement and repair, annulus fibrosus repair, total disc transplantation, and mechanical total disc replacement Innovative treatment strategies for disc regeneration, such as genes and proteins Growth factors including platelet-rich plasma (PRP), which has shown promise for the stimulation and acceleration of bone and soft tissue healing Cell-based therapy for spinal disc regeneration and repair including the use of stem cells and chondrocytes In-depth discussion of research including animal versus human model, in-vitro, and a summary of biologic clinical trials This is a must-have resource for trainee and practicing orthopaedic surgeons and neurosurgeons who treat patients for spine-related conditions. It is essential reading for all clinicians who have an interest in cutting-edge tissue engineering and biological treatment interventions.

Richly illustrated throughout with actual tissue images, this innovative book shows that the soft-hard tissue junction is best understood in a biomechanical context. The authors describe their pioneering experimental methods, providing an essential structure-function framework for computational modelling, and thereby encouraging the development of more realistic, predictive models of this important tissue junction. Covering the three main musculoskeletal junctions of cartilage-bone, disc-vertebra, and ligament/tendon-bone, the relevant soft tissues are examined with respect to both their own inherent structure and their mode of integration with the hard tissue. The soft-hard tissue interface is explored with a focus on structural damage resulting from overloading, and its associated pathologies. Adopting a multiscale approach, ranging in structural resolution from the macro to fibril levels, this is a must-have guide to the field and an ideal resource for researchers seeking new and creative approaches for studying the joint and spine tissues.

Current Techniques in Canine and Feline Neurosurgery offers state-of-the-art, detailed guidance on performing neurosurgical techniques in dogs and cats, from indications and surgical anatomy to procedures and post-operative care. Presents an up-to-date, detailed reference on veterinary neurosurgery techniques, covering skills ranging from basic to advanced Provides guidance on why, when, and how to perform neurosurgical procedures Includes information on diagnostic evaluation, surgical planning, and instrumentation as well as step-by-step descriptions of specific procedures Copublished with the American College of Veterinary Surgeons Foundation and American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine Offers video clips on a companion website

Biomechanics of the Spine encompasses the basics of spine biomechanics, spinal tissues, spinal disorders and treatment methods. Organized into four parts, the first chapters explore the functional anatomy of the spine, with special emphasis on aspects which are biomechanically relevant and quite often neglected in clinical literature. The second part describes the mechanics of the individual spinal tissues, along with commonly used testing set-ups and the constitutive models used to represent them in mathematical studies. The third part covers in detail the current methods which are used in spine research: experimental testing, numerical simulation and in vivo studies (imaging and motion analysis). The last part covers the biomechanical aspects of spinal pathologies and their surgical treatment. This valuable reference is ideal for bioengineers who are involved in spine biomechanics, and spinal surgeons who are looking to broaden their biomechanical knowledge base. The contributors to this book are from the leading institutions in the world that are researching spine biomechanics. - Includes broad coverage of spine disorders and surgery with a biomechanical focus - Summarizes state-of-the-art and cutting-edge research in the field of spine biomechanics - Discusses a variety of methods, including In vivo and In vitro testing, and finite element and musculoskeletal modeling