[thedoc (OP)]

Bioengineers from Cornell University have constructed replacement intervertebral discs which support normal mechanical function in the spines of rats, paving the way for new back pain treatments in humans.

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[imatfaal]

I have heard many times that more working time is lost due to back pain than any other single illness - is this true?  And if we are getting closer to alleviating that problem it must be good news.

[CliffordK]

One other therapy is bone fusions.

Back surgeries can be life-saving for some, especially if there is nerve impingement, and leg problems. 

However it is a very high risk surgery, with sometimes marginal results, especially if just treating pain.

A "human" graft would certainly be better than putting in metal, and hopefully less infection risk.  Antigens might be a problem, unless the replacement disk would be cultured out of a patient's own tissue.