THE DYNAMIC VISCOELASTIC PROPERTIES OF THE RAT LUMBAR DISC ARE DECREASED FOLLOWING NUCLEUS PULPOSUS GAG REDUCTION

摘要

The intervertebral disc has the important biomechanical function of dissipating energy during spinal loading. With degeneration, the disc experiences, among other changes, a loss of mechanical function and degradation of its composition. Using a rat model of early disc degeneration by injection of Chondroitinase ABC (ChABC), glycosaminoglycan (GAG) content in the nucleus pulposus (NP) was reduced which altered neutral zone mechanical properties.