The complex structure of the intervertebral disc within the spine is well suited to its mechanical function. However, it is also prone to degeneration, which is associated with various clinical symptoms and conditions, ranging from disc herniation to back pain to spinal stenosis. Most patients' conditions are managed conservatively but a small proportion progress to having surgery. This may be decompression (to remove tissue such as the disc, bone, or hypertrophic ligaments impinging on nerves) or fusion of the normally mobile intervertebral joint to immobilize it and so reduce pain. These used to involve fairly major surgical procedures, but in the past decade there has been much progress to make the surgery more refined and less invasive, for example using endoscopic approaches. Simultaneously, the research world has been studying and developing tissue engineering and cellular techniques for attempting to regenerate the intervertebral disc, whether simply the central nucleus pulposus or a complete intricate assembly to replicate the native structure of this and the surrounding annulus fibrosus, cartilage endplate, and bone. To date, none of the complex entities have been trialed, while cellular approaches are easier to utilize, have progressed to clinical trials, and may offer a better solution.

中文翻译：

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当前椎间盘病理的治疗选择。

脊柱内椎间盘的复杂结构非常适合其机械功能。然而，它也容易发生退化，这与各种临床症状和病症有关，从椎间盘突出到背痛到椎管狭窄。大多数患者的病情都得到保守治疗，但一小部分患者进展到接受手术。这可能是减压（去除椎间盘、骨骼或压迫神经的肥厚韧带等组织）或融合正常活动的椎间关节以使其固定，从而减轻疼痛。这些过去涉及相当大的外科手术，但在过去的十年中，在使手术更加精细和侵入性更小的方面取得了很大进展，例如使用内窥镜方法。同时，研究界一直在研究和开发组织工程和细胞技术，试图再生椎间盘，无论是简单的中央髓核还是复制椎间盘和周围纤维环、软骨终板、和骨头。迄今为止，还没有任何复杂的实体经过试验，而细胞方法更容易利用，已经进入临床试验，并且可能提供更好的解决方案。