Intervertebral disc degeneration (IDD) is a primary cause of chronic back pain, impacting millions of people worldwide. This presentation provides a summary of the current state of IDD research, focusing on genetic aspects based on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) as the gold standard. It highlights the need for larger cohorts and the inclusion of quantitative molecular traits to enhance detection power.
IDD is a complex disease with diverse MRI features, and understanding their correlations with each other and disease progression is crucial for assessing genetic predisposition and improving clinical management. Such insights can be obtained through longitudinal MRI imaging in large cohort studies.
The potential benefits of biological interventions in disease prevention and progression are yet to be explored. To this end, it is essential to understand the key biological alterations within the disc, examining cell and extracellular matrix changes. The focus should be on disc progenitor cells, the balance between anabolic and catabolic activities of disc cells, and their responses to environmental factors such as mechanical loading and nutritional/hypoxic stress.
Clearly, a multidisciplinary approach is necessary to gain insights into the genetics, progression, and biology of IDD. This will pave the way for the development of innovative therapeutic strategies and more precise management of back pain caused by IDD.