The Course of Macroscopic Degeneration in the Human Lumbar Intervertebral Disc

Abstract

Our data show that fibrous nuclear transformation during aging/degeneration precedes cleft formation. The temporal sequence suggests a strong correlation of cleft and tears formation starting with clefts in the second decade. Our results support the hypothesis that disc degeneration starts in the nucleus. Extensive macroscopic alterations already apparent in the second life decade present a challenge to any tissue engineering and repair attempt.