Fibrocytes, annulus fibrosis cells, cells that differentiate into annulus fibrosis cells, or cells that function like annulus fibrosis cells are harvested and combined with the extracellular matrix of the annulus fibrosis from a recently deceased human or animal to produce an engineered annulus fibrosis. Autograft tendons are then used to strengthen the annulus fibrosis and to augment or replace the nucleus pulpous. In accordance with a preferred embodiment, tendons such as the palmaris longus are harvested from the patient, a suitable living donor, or a recently deceased human. The tendons are sewn or otherwise attached to the inside of the annulus fibrosis using percutaneous or laparoscopic procedures. The tendons aid the nucleus and/or replace the nucleus by absorbing the compression forces between vertebrae and by transferring the compression forces to the augmented annulus fibrosis. Allograft tendons are preferably treated, with tissue banking techniques well known to those skilled in the art, to prevent disease transmission and graft rejection. The invention can be used to augment discs in the cervical, thoracic, or lumbar spine.
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