RT Journal Article ID 7ac5a4182f3c90c4 A1 Kirzner, Yakira A1 Marcolongo, Michele A1 Bhatia, Sujata K. T1 Advances in Biomaterials for the Treatment of Intervertebral Disc Degeneration JF Journal of Long-Term Effects of Medical Implants JO JLT YR 2012 FD 2012-09-26 VO 22 IS 1 SP 73 OP 84 K1 disc degeneration K1 spinal fusion K1 total disc arthroplasty K1 annulus repair AB In the past decade, the number of treatment methods for disc degeneration has dramatically increased due to advances in biomaterials. Disc degeneration is one of the leading causes of lower back pain in the adult population, and a large percentage of patients seek surgical solutions. Therefore, there is a great clinical need for biomaterials to alleviate pain associated with disc degeneration. Increased understanding of spinal physiology and pathophysiology has enabled the development of new surgical techniques as well as novel biomaterials for treatment. In this review, advances in biomaterials used for treating intervertebral disc degeneration are reviewed: cages and implants for spinal fusion, artificial discs for total disc arthroplasty, and emerging methods of synthetic nuclei and annulus repair. In addition, novel biomaterials are being explored to treat disc degeneration using a variety of treatment methods. PB Begell House LK https://www.dl.begellhouse.com/journals/1bef42082d7a0fdf,12c03b45280f87de,7ac5a4182f3c90c4.html