Oxygen tension measurements in the intervertebral disc. A methodological and experimental study

A polarographic membrane-covered electrode has been used for measurements of oxygen tension in the intervertebral disc. In vitro studies showed that the method measured partial pressures of oxygen with good reproducibility. However, in long continuous experiments, disc matrix adhering to the membrane influenced the readings negatively. The results of in vivo measurements in canine nucleus pulposus showed tensions of the order of 0.53 - 1.06 KPa (4 - 8 mm Hg). No significant variations between different disc levels were found.