RAQUEL M. GONÇALVES AND MÁRIO ADOLFO BARBOSA
Intervertebral disc degeneration is one of the major causes of lower back pain for which the common therapeutic interventions are not efficient. A search for alternative therapies for lower back pain and intervertebral disc degeneration includes cell-based therapies. Unfortunately, intervertebral disc degeneration is avascular and thus a hostile environment for cell survival. Furthermore, cellular characterization in intervertebral disc degeneration, and particularly in the nucleus pulposus, is controversial, mainly due to lack of specific markers and species variability. This book adds to the knowledge on cellular and molecular therapies for intervertebral disc degeneration and associated lower back pain. Key Selling Features: Describes the ontogeny and phenotype of intervertebral disc cells Reviews the role that inflammation plays in disco-genic pain Highlights the types of cells that might be used as sources for treating degenerating intervertebral discs Summarizes current alternative therapies Explores methods for cell delivery into degenerated intervertebral discs
