Abstract
Introduction
Low back pain is the leading cause of musculoskeletal disease and the biggest cause of morbidity worldwide. Approximately 40% of these are cases are caused by disease of the intervertebral discs (IVDs): the shock absorbing, flexible material located between the bones (vertebrae) along the length of the spine. In severe cases, the spine becomes unstable and it becomes necessary to immobilise or fix the joint in position using a lumbar cage spacer between in the IVD and metal pins with supporting plates in the vertebrae. This is a complex, expensive, major surgery and it is associated with complications, such as spinal fusion failure and inappropriate implant position. These complications have a dramatic impact on the quality of life of the affected patients and the burden to society and the healthcare system is exacerbated.
Methods and Results
We present an in vitro study looking at the effect of our Bgel hydrogel on mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) and their bone forming capacity within lumbar cages: devices used to space the bones apart in the fusion operation, as a mechanism to improve fixation and intra cage bone formation. MSCs were isolated from human hip joint, expanded, seeded within Bgel, cast into well inserts or lumbar cages and cultured for 4 weeks. Using 3D X-ray imaging micro computed tomography (μCT) scans we show that the MSC in the presence Bgel begin to mineralise within the lumbar cages. Histology is currently ongoing and will be presented at the meeting.
Conclusion
This study shows the potential to improve current spinal fusion practices with the potential to reduce complications.
Conflicts of interest: CS and CLM are named inventors on the patent for NPgel/BGel
Funded by the Medical Research Council and Versus Arthritis UK: SNiPER
