for eMaxHealthSpine Surgery
The Spine Journal (TSJ ), the official journal of the North American Spine Society (NASS), release a special issue showcasing the latest research in the areas of spine biologics and bioactive materials Tuesday, November 1st. Researchers say biologics could be the future of spine surgery. The issue is the brainchild of Drs. Howard An and Frank M. Phillips of Rush University Medical Center in Chicago, IL.
Multidisciplinary spine care has come a long way in offering relief for patients suffering from spine disease or injury, and even providing relief from the natural process of degeneration that tends to come with aging. Spine researchers are investigating a new type of spine treatment options called "spine biologics" that work with the body's natural processes to assist in healing after surgery or to provide alternative products that can be implanted to mimic the normal function of diseased or degenerated spine components.
"The use of biologic material in spine surgery has been one of the most exciting developments in spine care and continued research will bring many of these projects into the market place in the future," said Dr. An.
These new technologies in development focus on two primary areas for the spine: therapies to assist healing for patients who undergo a spine fusion procedure, and treatments for patients who have injured or diseased intervertebral discs (the cushions between the vertebra that allow movement).
The 130-page-supplement contains 14 original research papers covering three main areas of biologics research: Spinal Fusion, Disc Regeneration and Kyphoplasty and Nucleus Pulposus Prosthesis. Below is a list of the articles featured in the supplement:
Spinal Fusion
- Biologics in Spinal Surgery: Introduction and Overview
- Animal Models for Spinal Fusion
- Demineralized Bone Matrix for Spinal Fusion
- Carrier Materials for Spinal Fusion:
- Cell Technologies for Spinal Fusion:
- Bone Morphogenic Proteins (BMPs) for Spinal Fusion
- Gene Therapy for Spinal Fusion
Disc Regeneration
- Molecular Pathogenic Factors in Degenerative Disc Disease
- Animal Models for Disc Repair
- Molecular Therapy of the Intervertebral Disc
- Gene Therapy for Disc Repair
- Cell-based Therapy for Disc Repair
Kyphoplasty & Nucleus Pulposus Prosthesis
- Vertebroplasty and Kyphoplasty " Filler Materials
- Nucleus Pulposus Replacement " An Emerging Technology
The "Spine Biologic and Bioactive Materials" supplement discusses biologic technologies aimed at repairing or regenerating the degenerated disc in hopes of avoiding spinal fusion or disc prosthetic replacement and reveals exciting experimental results using growth factors, BMPs, cell-based therapy and gene therapy in vitro and in animal models. This research gives promise for the future possibility of biologics repair or regeneration of the human disc. With continued research and development, researchers are looking to integrate these treatments into everyday practice.
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