The second largest cluster contained almost 15% of the motion segments and was characterised by motion segments with reduced disc height, reduced disc signal intensity, disc bulges and a minor degree of disc protrusions and high intensity zones.
High speed results in large centrifugal forces in discs and simultaneous high temperature reduces disc material strength.
High speed of rotation causes large centrifugal forces in a disc and simultaneous application of high temperatures reduces disc material strength.
The characteristics of disc degeneration, such as dehydration and reduced disc height, were not taken into account.
Disc degeneration was defined as a hypointense disc (grade 3)[ 21, 22] or reduced disc height (grades 2 or 3) [ 22- 24].
Degenerative disc is common in most patients before surgery; however, it is challenging in modeling to assign material properties to various grades of degenerative disc, such as delamination, dehydration or reduced disc height.
Degenerative discs are common in most patients with ALIF surgery; however, it is challenging in modeling to assign material properties to various grades of degenerative discs, such as delamination, dehydration, or reduced disc height.
In a subsequent study, we changed the stiffness of the spacers by altering their diameter [ 24], and showed that spacers with smaller diameters reduce disc stress and ROM at adjacent levels during extension.
Wilke et al. [ 12] reported that though the Wallis device could reduce disc loading in the lumbar spine during extension, it resulted in minimal change of disc loading during flexion, lateral bending, and rotation, indicating that the device could not effectively distribute the load of the lumbar intervertebral disc.
The chronology of the degenerative pathways was also informed by knowledge of the potential reversibility of some MRI findings (for example, an intervertebral disc herniation is potentially reversible but reduced disc height is not) and also, if the distribution of findings were mainly located in the lower or the upper lumbar motion segments.
In addition, other studies demonstrated the efficacy of infliximab in improving visual acuity by reducing optic disc neovascularization and background retinal vascular leakage, as demonstrated with fluorescein angiography.
