The sand rat (psammomys obesus obesus) model of spontaneous, age-related intervertebral disc degeneration

Abstract

With its associated low back pain, disc degeneration is a major health-care concern causing disability. It plays a major role in the US medical, social, and economic structure. Low back pain is devastating and influences the quality of life for millions. The lifetime prevalence of low back pain approximates 80 % with an estimated direct cost burden of $86 billion per year. Patients with back pain incur higher health-care costs and utilization and greater work loss than do patients without back pain. These health-care statistics point to the need for appropriate animal models for translational research efforts directed towards a greater understanding of disc degeneration and models to test potential new therapies.