Treating degenerative disc disease through transplantation of the nucleus pulposis

摘要

Living nucleus pulposis cells and extracellular matrix obtained from recently deceased human or animal donors are used to restore disc function and eliminate pain in patients with disc disease. In the preferred embodiment, the donor nucleus is morselized to allow insertion through a small puncture in the annulus fibrosis with a needle and syringe. Additional therapeutic substances like culture medium, growth factors, differentiation factors, hydrogels polymers, antibiotics, anti-inflammatory medications, or immunosuppressive medications could be added to the transplanted nucleus pulposis tissue.