[Biology and mechanobiology of the intervertebral disc : Challenges for regenerative therapies].

The fibrocartilaginous intervertebral discs between the vertebrae give the spine mobility and flexibility. Age and degeneration contribute to tissue changes that affect the composition and structure of the intervertebral discs and can lead to loss of function and back pain. The intervertebral disc cells are responsible for the formation and maintenance of the tissue and are influenced by the physiological load.

Which spinal fixation technique achieves which degree of stability after thoracolumbar trauma? A systematic quantitative review.

Background Context: Unstable traumatic spinal injuries require surgical fixation to restore biomechanical stability.

Purpose: The purpose of this review was to summarize and quantify three-dimensional spinal stability after surgical fixation of traumatic thoracolumbar spinal injuries using different treatment strategies derived from experimental studies.

Study Design/setting: Systematic literature review.