Show simple item record

Files in this item

Thumbnail

Item metadata

dc.contributor.authorRoss, Edward R. S.
dc.coverage.spatial363en_US
dc.date.accessioned2012-10-23T13:35:46Z
dc.date.available2012-10-23T13:35:46Z
dc.date.issued2012-11-30
dc.identifier.urihttps://hdl.handle.net/10023/3213
dc.description.abstractThis thesis describes the development of artificial disc technology for the replacement of intervertebral discs in the human lumbar spine. The clinical problem is back pain. There may be a relationship between certain forms of back pain and disc degeneration. The mechanical properties of human intervertebral discs are examined in detail. The genetic basis of disc degeneration is presented. The hypothesis is that such degeneration leads to a loss of normal stiffness in the segments affected leading to abnormal mechanical behaviour which in turn leads to pain. The evidence for this is presented. The development of surgical solutions to relieve back pain, from fusion through first generation mechanical artificial discs to elastomeric designs, is traced. The author‘s personal contributions to this area of knowledge are set out. The appreciation of the requirement for a restoration of physiological stiffness is argued throughout, showing where fusion and first generation discs have not met the clinical aim of pain relief, because they have not restored physiological stiffness. The path to an elastomeric, viscoelastic, polyhydrocarbon, rubber solution in the form of the “Freedom“ disc has filled 17 years of the author‘s academic pursuits. It will be shown that this technology may represent a possible solution to the clinical problem. Failure is part of all new advancement and this too is presented, to show how that has influenced thinking, producing original ideas to overcome these failures. Providing lessons are learned from these failures then our patients in the future will benefit.en_US
dc.language.isoenen_US
dc.publisherUniversity of St Andrews
dc.subjectStiffnessen_US
dc.subjectArtificial disc replacementen_US
dc.subjectLumbar discen_US
dc.subjectBack painen_US
dc.subjectDisc degenerationen_US
dc.subjectSponylosisen_US
dc.subject.lccRD771.I6R7
dc.subject.lcshIntervertebral disken_US
dc.subject.lcshIntervertebral disk prosthesesen_US
dc.subject.lcshIntervertebral disk--Diseasesen_US
dc.subject.lcshBackacheen_US
dc.subject.lcshBackache--Treatmenten_US
dc.subject.lcshLumbar vertebrae--Movementsen_US
dc.titleStiffness: a key mechanical factor in normal, degenerate and artificial lumbar intervertebral discsen_US
dc.typeThesisen_US
dc.type.qualificationlevelDoctoralen_US
dc.type.qualificationnameMD Doctor of Medicineen_US
dc.publisher.institutionThe University of St Andrewsen_US


This item appears in the following Collection(s)

Show simple item record