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Journal of Undergraduate Research

Keywords

Accelerated Human Lumbar Disc Degeneration, Functional Spinal Units, FSU, disc degrades

College

Ira A. Fulton College of Engineering and Technology

Department

Mechanical Engineering

Abstract

It is reported by the American Academy of Orthopeadic Surgeons that in 2005, 24% of the population sought treatment for back pain [1]. Additionally, Americans spent over $85.9 billion (2005) on health treatment costs related to back problems with the vast majority being connected to disc degeneration [1]. Despite the vast sum of money being spent on treatment of disc degeneration, the leading surgical treatments for disc degeneration (spinal fusion, total disc replacement) have been shown to increase degeneration at the discs in adjacent levels to the surgery [2].

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