Important Links

1.  This is a paper written by my physiatrist, Dr. Slipman and my orthopedic surgeon, Dr. Vresilovic wherein they conclude that Failed Back Surgery Syndrome must have a biochemical basis. (Click Here)

2.  Our "bible" - the book written by Dr. Sota Omoigui called The Biochemical Origin of Pain. (Click Here)

3.  Numerous animal and human studies showing the relationship between herniated disk, TNF-alpha and back pain:

    a.  Exogenous tumor necrosis factor-alpha mimics nucleus pulposus-induced neuropathology. (Click Here)

    b.  Incision of the anulus fibrosus induces nerve root morphologic, vascular, and functional changes. (Click Here)

    c.  Intervertebral discs which cause low back pain secrete high levels of proinflammatory mediators. (Click Here)

    d.  mRNA expression of cytokines and chemokines in herniated lumbar intervertebral discs. (Click Here)

    e.  Selective inhibition of tumor necrosis factor-alpha prevents nucleus pulposus-induced thrombus formation, intraneural edema, and reduction of nerve conduction velocity... ( Click Here)

    f.  Changes in Spontaneous Behavior in Rats Exposed to Experimental Disc Herniation are Blocked by Selective TNF-alpha Inhibition. (Click Here)

    g.  Dorsal root sensitivity to interleukin-1 beta, interleukin-6 and tumor necrosis factor in rats. (Click Here)

4.  There is a doctor in California who seems to have grasped the monetary value in curing back pain.  He uses Enbrel and charges a lot of money per injection.  He has even copyrighted a brand name for it called DiskCure.  Here is an article about Dr. Tobinick. (Click Here)  Dr. Tobinick has also published a paper describing his take on Enbrel and its use in curing back pain. (Click Here)

5.  Amgen makes Enbrel.  Their web site is very informative with regard to the drug, how it works and possible side effects. (Click Here)  Don't look for references to using it for back pain, however since that is considered off-label usage at the present time. 

6.  There is a company called Scios that is working on an oral version of a TNF-inhibitor that is currently in clinical trials. (Click Here)

Next, Costs and Cautions. (NEXT->)

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