How spinal discs and facet joints interact during degeneration and repair
Disc-Facet Crosstalk During Spinal Degeneration and Repair
['FUNDING_R01'] · UNIVERSITY OF PENNSYLVANIA · NIH-11197619
Researchers are learning how damage to spinal discs and the nearby facet joints affects back pain and healing using animal models and human tissue.
Quick facts
| Phase | ['FUNDING_R01'] |
|---|---|
| Study type | Nih_funding |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | UNIVERSITY OF PENNSYLVANIA (nih funded) |
| Locations | 1 site (PHILADELPHIA, UNITED STATES) |
| Trial ID | NIH-11197619 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this research studies
This project uses large animal models and samples of human spinal tissue to track how disc damage leads to changes in the adjacent facet joints over time. The team will create disc degeneration in animals, examine cartilage and bone at multiple scales, and measure how altered disc mechanics overload the facets. They will also test how repairing the disc changes forces and pathology in the facet joints. Comparing animal findings with human surgical tissue aims to reveal mechanical crosstalk that could point to better treatments.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates would be people with degenerative low back pain or facet joint osteoarthritis, especially those undergoing spine surgery who can donate tissue or participate at the treating center.
Not a fit: Patients with non-degenerative causes of back pain (for example acute traumatic injury, infection, or generalized pain disorders) are less likely to directly benefit from this project.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could point to new ways to prevent or treat degenerative back pain by targeting both discs and facet joints.
How similar studies have performed: Prior research has largely focused on discs alone, so combining disc and facet mechanical study is relatively new though it builds on established disc degeneration work.
Where this research is happening
PHILADELPHIA, UNITED STATES
- UNIVERSITY OF PENNSYLVANIA — PHILADELPHIA, UNITED STATES (ACTIVE)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: GULLBRAND, SARAH E — UNIVERSITY OF PENNSYLVANIA
- Study coordinator: GULLBRAND, SARAH E
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.