Background Intervertebral disc degeneration is a common condition with few inexpensive and effective modes of treatment, but current investigations seek to clarify the underlying process and offer new treatment options. It will be important for physicians to understand the molecular basis for the pathology and how it translates to developing clinical treatments for disc degeneration. In this review, we sought to summarize for clinicians what is known about the molecular processes that causes disc degeneration.

Consideration should be given to using alternative diagnostic tests/tools based on the results of this study.

Level III, retrospective comparative study.

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Background Context Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory (NSAID) agents are a widely utilized treatment for low back pain (LBP). Literature on NSAID use in articular cartilage has shown detrimental effects; however, minimal data exist to detail the effects of NSAIDs in intervertebral disc degeneration (IDD). As IDD is a major cause of LBP, we explored the effects of indomethacin, a commonly used NSAID, on disc matrix homeostasis in an animal model of IDD. Purpose To determine the effects of oral indomethacin administration on IDD in an in vivo rabbit model. This study hypothesized that indomethacin use would accelerate the progression of IDD based upon serial imaging and tissue outcomes. Study Design/Setting This was a laboratory-based, controlled, in vivo evaluation of the effects of oral indomethacin administration on rabbit intervertebral discs. Methods Six skeletally mature New Zealand White rabbits were divided into two groups: disc puncture alone to induce IDD (Puncture group) and disc puncture plus indomethacin (Punc+Ind group). The Punc+Ind group received daily administration of 6mg/kg oral indomethacin. Serial magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) were obtained at 0, 4, 8, and 12 weeks. MRI index and nucleus pulposus (NP) area were calculated. Discs were harvested at 12 weeks for determination of disc glycosaminoglycan (GAG) content, relative gene expression measured by real time polymerase chain reaction, and histological analyses. Results MRI index and NP area of punctured discs in the Punc+Ind group demonstrated no worsening of degeneration compared to the Puncture group. Histological analysis was consistent with less severe disc degeneration in the Punc+Ind group. Minimal differences in gene expression of matrix genes were observed between Puncture and Punc+Ind groups. GAG content was higher in animals receiving indomethacin in both annulus fibrosus (AF) and NP at adjacent uninjured discs. Conclusions Oral indomethacin administration did not result in acceleration of IDD in an in vivo rabbit model. Future research is needed to ascertain long-term effects of indomethacin and other NSAIDs on disc matrix homeostasis.

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Objectives: Irreparable massive rotator cuff tears, particularly those that occur in younger patients, represent a particularly challenging clinical scenario with limited options. Treatments such as reverse total shoulder arthroplasty are typically not well indicated for this patient population. We compared two treatment methods, latissimus dorsi tendon transfer (LDTT) vs arthroscopic superior capsular reconstruction (SCR), to determine if one is superior to the other regarding improvement in range of motion (ROM) and patient reported outcomes (PROs). We hypothesize that both treatments would have similar outcomes regarding functional restoration and subjective outcomes. Methods: A retrospective cohort study assessed 43 patients with an irreparable posterosuperior rotator cuff tear after failed conservative or surgical treatment who underwent either LDTT (14 patients, 16 shoulders) or SCR (27 patients, 27 shoulders). Patients with a minimum of 6 month follow-up were included (mean follow up: 17.9 months, 14.9 months respectively). Changes in preoperative and postoperative forward flexion and external rotation were evaluated. Patient reported outcomes (PROs) including ASES, VAS, and SSV were assessed. T-test and Chi-Square statistical tests were performed. Results: The mean age at the time of surgery was 59.9yo vs 60yo for LDTT and SCR respectively (p=0.98). There were significantly more patients in the LDTT group that had undergone prior rotator cuff surgery (p<0.005) and significantly greater number of patients who had subscapularis tears which required repair in patients that underwent SCR (p<0.01). There was no difference in gender (p=0.75). Both cohorts demonstrated similar improvement in forward flexion with mean active forward flexion improving from 123° (90-160°) pre-operatively to 139° (80-180°) postoperatively in the LDTT group (p=0.157) and 85° (0-170°) preoperatively to 138° (40-175°) postoperatively in the SCR group (p =0.001). The average improvement in forward flexion was significantly greater in the SCR group with an improvement of 52° for SCR vs 14° for LDTT (p=0.035). External rotation improved in the LDTT cohort from 41° preoperatively (10-60°) to 62° (10-80°) (p=0.032) while external rotation stayed unchanged for the SCR cohort with 43° preoperatively (0-70°) to 44° (20-80°) postoperatively (p=0.868). The improvement in external rotation was significantly greater in the LDTT cohort with improvement of 19° vs 0.5° in the SCR group (p=0.011). There was no significant difference in reported ASES scores (LDTT: 65.6 vs SCR:70.9)(p=0.569), VAS (LDTT:1.78 vs SCR 2.26) (p=0.645), or SSV (LDTT:55 vs SCR:72.6) (p=0.087). Conclusion: LDTT and SCR both result in functional improvement of motion with SCR improving forward flexion to a greater extent and LDTT improving external rotation to a greater extent. Patient reported outcomes are similar between the two groups at short term follow up. Longer term outcomes are necessary before determining whether one treatment is optimal over the other as well as establishing the appropriate indications for each. [Table: see text]