Karin Wuertz-Kozak
ETH Zurich, Switzerland
Title: Biology and Regenerative Medicine Aspects of the Intervertebral Disc
Biography
Biography: Karin Wuertz-Kozak
Abstract
As a major weight bearing structure with limited nutritional support, the intervertebral disc is prone to degenerative changes early in life and contributes to the development of low back pain. Disc degeneration and low back pain are amongst the most relevant musculoskeletal disorders, resulting in high direct and indirect costs for our health care systems. As current treatment options are not satisfactory, the field of intervertebral disc regeneration has gained increasing importance amongst researchers as well as in the view of the World Health Organization.
This workshop will first provide a brief introduction to the biological processes occurring during intervertebral disc degeneration and will explain the molecular mechanisms that are hypothesized to contribute to pain development. Thereafter, various approaches to counteract degeneration and pain development will be explained. For each of the discussed novel treatments, the current state of the art as well as pitfalls that may hinder, limit and at least delay translation into clinical practice will be highlighted. Novel regenerative treatment examples to be demonstrated will include (1) tissue engineering of intervertebral disc (using a variety of modern techniques), (2) stem cell treatment (including an illustration on the use of fat-derived stem cells obtained directly in the OR) and (3) the use of biologics that have the potential to interfere with disc-typical pathological mechanisms.