Low back pain: pathophysiology and management.

Basic research is advancing the understanding of the pathogenesis and management of low back pain at the molecular and genetic levels. Frequently, low back pain is caused by disorders of the intervertebral disk. Cytokines such as matrix metalloproteinases, phospholipase A2, nitric oxide, and tumor necrosis factor-alpha are thought to contribute to the development of low back pain. Drugs are being developed to modulate these chemical mediators. Recent research using growth factors to promote chondrocyte regeneration appears to be promising. Advances in gene therapy to both prevent disk degeneration and regenerate the disk eventually may have clinical application.