Microminiaturization in Laser Surgery and in vivo Intradiscal Pressure Measurement in Intervertebral Discs

Low-back pain can affect almost anyone at any time. In the United States, 8–15 percent [Ranu, 1] of back injuries involve the spinal discs, which act as a cushion between each vertebra. When a human spinal disc slips or herniates, part or all of it bulges out from its usual setting between the vertebrae (Figure 1).