[Back pain. Experimental studies are successful]

Recent experimental studies performed at the Dept of Orthopaedics at Gothenburg University have systematically assessed the basic pathophysiological mechanisms behind sciatica due to disc herniation. It has hereby been seen that the epidural presence of nucleus pulposus may induce structural and functional injury of the adjacent nerve roots similar in magnitude to those induced by mechanical deformation. By increasing the knowledge of the substances and mechanisms leading to this nucleus pulposus-induced nerve injury it may be assumed that sciatica to a certain extent may be treated by specific pharmacologic agents in the future, in combination with existing treatment modalities.