Do Mechanical and Structural Characteristics of Degenerated Intervertebral Discs Contribute to Development of Degenerative Scoliosis and Spondylolisthesis?

Bader, Taylor J.

Do Mechanical and Structural Characteristics of Degenerated Intervertebral Discs Contribute to Development of Degenerative Scoliosis and Spondylolisthesis?

dc.contributor.advisor	Swamy, Ganesh
dc.contributor.advisor	Hart, David A.
dc.contributor.author	Bader, Taylor J.
dc.contributor.committeemember	Duncan, Neil
dc.contributor.committeemember	Salo, Paul
dc.date	2023-11
dc.date.accessioned	2023-09-08T17:46:03Z
dc.date.available	2023-09-08T17:46:03Z
dc.date.issued	2023-08-28
dc.description.abstract	Intervertebral disc (IVD) degeneration is the age-related breakdown of the cushioned discs that serve as the principal connection between the vertebral bodies. Although affecting 80% of individuals over the age of 50, the causes of the highly varied severity of this disease are not well understood. Additionally, in some cases, primarily in women, the degeneration of the IVD leads to spinal deformities. Degenerative scoliosis (dScoli), the lateral translation and rotation of the vertebrae, and degenerative spondylolisthesis (dSpondy), the forward slippage of the vertebrae with respect to its caudal neighbour, both potentially lead to immobility and pain. These conditions involve increased instability of motion segments of the spine, cascading into further degeneration. The aim of this study was to compare the shear mechanical behaviour of the annulus fibrosus (AF), the outer portion of the IVD, in normal, non-deformity degenerated (degen), dScoli, and dSpondy patients. Small sections of the AF were collected from healthy donors and surgical patients and sheared, mimicking the translation seen in spinal deformity. These same AF sections were scored for degeneration through histology and their lamellar structure was measured with optical coherence tomography (OCT). From these tests, the structure-function relationship of degenerated AF was analyzed to explore degenerative changes. A reduced shear stiffness in degen samples (radial 27 ± 24 kPa, circumferential 57 ± 43 kPa) when compared to normal tissue (radial 80 ± 38 kPa, circumferential 231 ± 73 kPa) was found (p < 0.05). dScoli tissue were further reduced in shear stiffness (radial 12 ± 6 kPa, circumferential 33 ± 21 kPa), although not significantly. There were significant trends linking an increase in structure degeneration, by histology (rS = -0.58, p < 0.01) and OCT (rS = -0.70, p < 0.01), to decreased circumferential shear modulus. Differences in structure and shear stiffness will serve as the backbone for further research into surgical tissue to better understand the progression of IVD degeneration and spinal deformities. Through understanding of the structure-function relationship of the AF, predictors of outcomes and potential treatments could help patients better manage these painful conditions.
dc.identifier.citation	Bader, T. J. (2023). Do mechanical and structural characteristics of degenerated intervertebral discs contribute to development of degenerative scoliosis and spondylolisthesis? (Master's thesis, University of Calgary, Calgary, Canada). Retrieved from https://prism.ucalgary.ca.
dc.identifier.uri	https://hdl.handle.net/1880/116942
dc.identifier.uri	https://dx.doi.org/10.11575/PRISM/41788
dc.language.iso	en
dc.publisher.faculty	Graduate Studies
dc.publisher.institution	University of Calgary
dc.rights	University of Calgary graduate students retain copyright ownership and moral rights for their thesis. You may use this material in any way that is permitted by the Copyright Act or through licensing that has been assigned to the document. For uses that are not allowable under copyright legislation or licensing, you are required to seek permission.
dc.subject	Intervertebral disc
dc.subject	Annulus fibrosus
dc.subject	Scoliosis
dc.subject	Spondylolisthesis
dc.subject	Shear
dc.subject	Histology
dc.subject	Optical coherence tomography
dc.subject.classification	Medicine and Surgery
dc.subject.classification	Engineering--Biomedical
dc.title	Do Mechanical and Structural Characteristics of Degenerated Intervertebral Discs Contribute to Development of Degenerative Scoliosis and Spondylolisthesis?
dc.type	master thesis
thesis.degree.discipline	Medicine – Medical Sciences
thesis.degree.grantor	University of Calgary
thesis.degree.name	Master of Science (MSc)
ucalgary.thesis.accesssetbystudent	I require a thesis withhold – I need to delay the release of my thesis due to a patent application, and other reasons outlined in the link above. I have/will need to submit a thesis withhold application.