The effect of different defects and hydrogels for nucleus replacements on the biomechanical response of the intervertebral disc

stress to convert to suspension culture.The cell-matrix complex immediately starts active contraction to form the three dimensional TEC.Two most cranial tail discs of nine rats were denucleated and/or treated with TEC (controls were denucleation only), giving three discs per group per time point.At 2, 8 and 12 weeks after implantation, the animals were euthanized and discs were evaluated.At the 8-and 12-week time point, untreated group experienced severe disruption of the anulus fibrosus and end plate, whereas such degenerative changes were significantly alleviated with TEC implantation.This study showed that TEC could prevent postnucleotomy disc degeneration.