A Minimally Invasive Annulus Fibrosus Needle Puncture Model of Intervertebral Disc Degeneration in Rats

The present research demonstrates a reliable and convenient approach to induce an AF tear in rats through percutaneous needle puncture. This model reduces harm to the experimental animals significantly while imitating the progressive degeneration process. More importantly, the model confirmed that AF damage alone could lead to IVDD and provided a research method for AF degeneration in IVDD.