Lumbar disc rehydration postimplantation of a posterior dynamic stabilization system

Biological attempts at disc regeneration are promising; however, disc degeneration is closely related to other predisposing factors such as alteration of disc height, intradiscal pressure, load distribution, and motion. The restoration of the physiological status of the affected spinal segment is thus necessary prior to attempts at disc regeneration. Dynamic stabilization systems now offer the potential of a mechanical approach to intervertebral disc regeneration. The authors used decompression and placement of the BioFlex dynamic stabilization device to treat a young male patient with disc degeneration. This patient underwent follow-up, and he was found to gradually improve both neurologically and radiographically. On MR imaging performed 1 year postoperatively, he had an increase in disc height and disc rehydration. This case and the concept of disc rehydration are presented in this paper.