Brigham Young University Engineers Conceive Disc Replacement to Treat Chronic Low Back Pain
In between the vertebrae of the human spine are 23 Oreo-sized, cartilage-filled discs that hold the vertebrae together and allow for spine movement. While the discs are critical for movement, they can become the source of back pain when they degenerate or herniate -- a major health problem that affects 85% of Americans and drains the U.S. economy to the tune of $100 billion every year.