Spinal nucleus pulposus implant

Abstract

The present invention relates to a spinal nucleus pulposus implant for use in the treatment of the intervertebral disc and in particular, to the use of a CD-RAP protein therefore.

1 - 15 . (canceled) 
     
     
         16 . A method of treating a spinal disorder comprising administering into the spinal nucleus pulposus a pharmaceutical composition which is a spinal nucleus pulposus implant or formulation comprising a cartilage differentiation and maintenance factor which is a non-antibody or non-receptor molecule comprising the sequence of SEQ ID NO:1 to a subject in need thereof. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the spinal disorder is selected from the group consisting of: idiopathic low back pain, disc herniation, internal disc disruption or fissured discs, radiculopathy, spinal stenosis, herniated nucleus pulposus-induced sciatica, sciatica, idiopathic scoliosis and myelopathy. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the pharmaceutical composition comprises a carrier. 
     
     
         19 . A method for the treatment of a spinal disorder of the spinal nucleus pulposus in a mammal comprising administering into the spinal nucleus pulposus an effective dose of a cartilage differentiation and maintenance factor which is a non-antibody or a non-receptor molecule comprising the sequence of SEQ ID NO:1 to a mammal in need of such treatment. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the cartilage differentiation and maintenance factor has anabolic activity for cartilage regeneration. 
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the pharmaceutical composition comprises a sustained release device. 
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the cartilage differentiation and maintenance factor is encapsulated in liposomes. 
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the pharmaceutical composition comprises nucleus pulposus tissue or cells.