Recent Advances in Managing Spinal Intervertebral Discs Degeneration.

Area of Science:

• Biomedical Engineering
• Regenerative Medicine
• Orthopedics

Background:

• Low back pain (LBP) is a global health issue, often caused by intervertebral disc degeneration (IDD).
• Current treatments for IDD primarily manage symptoms or carry surgical risks, highlighting the need for advanced therapeutic strategies.
• Understanding IDD pathogenesis is crucial for developing effective interventions.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the pathogenesis and etiology of IDD.
• To elaborate on recent therapeutic advances for managing IDD.
• To explore emerging options for intervertebral disc (IVD) regeneration.

Main Methods:

• Literature review of pathogenesis and etiology of IDD.
• Comprehensive survey of recent advances in IDD management.
• Analysis of emerging therapeutic options including bioactive compounds, cell-based therapies, biomimetic artificial IVDs, exosomes, RNA approaches, and AI.

Main Results:

• Bioactive compounds and growth factors show potential in targeting IDD's underlying mechanisms.
• Cell-based therapies offer promising avenues for IVD regeneration.
• Emerging strategies like biomimetic artificial IVDs, exosomes, RNA, and AI present novel therapeutic possibilities.

Conclusions:

• There is a significant need for improved therapeutic strategies for IDD beyond symptom management.
• Recent advances in regenerative medicine and technology offer promising new directions for treating IDD.
• Future research should focus on translating these innovative approaches into clinical practice for LBP relief.