Advanced Biomaterial-Based Strategies for Intervertebral Disc Repair and Regeneration

Intervertebral disc (IVD) is flexible tissue that acts as a shock absorber during our activities of daily living. However, incorrect body posture, mechanical trauma, aging, and genetics lead to the degeneration of IVD, which causes lower back pain. The conservative treatment options only provide symptomatic relief, and surgical intervention compromises daily life activities. Recently, tissue engineering has gained much attention for repairing, restoring, and regenerating IVD. It involves utilizing the properties of biomaterials not just to restore the mechanical function of but also to regenerate IVD tissue. This chapter provides an overview of the anatomy and pathophysiology of healthy and defective IVD. We focus on natural and synthetic biomaterials that are widely explored for the repair and regeneration of IVD with updates on clinical trials of a few biomaterials. We also explore other biological materials such as stem cells, native cells, and growth factors that further enhance the tissue repair capability of biomaterials. The advanced technique of 3D printing is also discussed for fabricating implants.