Benzel, Lieberman, McLain

Spine Disorders

No wonder the word "backbone" is used so often as a metaphor for "fundamental support." It is essential to our well-being. At any given time, roughly 1 million Americans are on temporary or permanent disability because of back problems. Almost everyone will, at some time, experience back pain that is severe enough to make them miss work or to give up a pastime. The cost of back pain in this country is astronomical, estimated to be $50 billion annually in health care costs and lost productivity. Fundamental spine research is crucial to advancing physicians’ understanding of spine disease.

One area of research at The Cleveland Clinic focuses on the spine’s response to stresses and strains. Long-distance truck and bus drivers, and heavy equipment operators, for instance, are exposed to strong vibrations that cause early disc degeneration.Manufacturers are using prior work by our spine researchers to develop special ergonomically designed, vibration-dampening seats.

Until artificial disc technology (another effort of our spine researchers) is perfected, spinal fusions will continue to be necessary, and better fusion techniques are being investigated. Intervertebral cages that support the vertebral bodies can now be implanted through new minimally invasive techniques. Researchers are also exploring the use of stem cells and biomaterials to eliminate the need for painful bone grafts in spine surgery. Innovative investigations of the microscopic changes that occur in bone during placement and removal of surgical implants are underway, as well as studies of bone's response to microfracture and osteoporosis, and the effects of commonly used osteoporosis medications on spinal fusion.

Traumatic injuries to the peripheral nerves often lead to pain, with incomplete or misguided nerve regeneration. To address this problem, Center researchers are investigating mechanisms by which regenerating nerves choose correct targets.