Jojo V. Sayson

University of California, San Diego | UCSD · Orthopedics with PI Dr. Alan Hargens

INTRODUCTION National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) crewmembers have a 4.3 times higher risk of a herniated intervertebral disc (IVD), compared to the general and military aviator populations1. The highest risk occurs during the first year after a mission. Microgravity exposure during long-duration spaceflights results in ~5cm lengthe...

Background context: Prolonged microgravity exposure is associated with localized low back pain and an elevated risk of post-flight disc herniation. Although the mechanisms by which microgravity impairs the spine are unclear, they should be foundational for developing in-flight countermeasures for maintaining astronaut spine health. Because human sp...

Background context: Prolonged microgravity exposure is associated with localized low back pain and an elevated risk of post-flight disc herniation. Although the mechanisms by which microgravity impairs the spine are unclear, they should be foundational for developing in-flight countermeasures for maintaining astronaut spine health. Because human s...

Study design: Prospective case series. Objective: Evaluate lumbar paraspinal muscle (PSM) cross-sectional area and intervertebral disc (IVD) height changes induced by a 6-month space mission on the International Space Station (ISS). The long-term objective of this project is to promote spine health and prevent spinal injury during space missions...

There are yet unresolved spinal changes during and after microgravity exposure. Crewmembers frequently report moderate to severe back pain in space and upon return to Earth, a high incidence of intervertebral disc (IVD) herniations within regions of the cervical and lumbar spine. In response to NASA's Critical Path Roadmap Risks and Questions regar...

Background Back pain and intervertbral disc (IVD) damage are common problems experienced by astronauts. We hypothesize this is from paraspinal muscle deconditioning, ∼5 cm body lengthening from spinal swelling and straightening, and biochemical tissue changes. Objective Examine morphological changes in the lumbar spine induced by spaceflight. Desig...

A b s t r a c t During spaceflight many astronauts experience moderate to severe lumbar pain and deconditioning of paraspinal muscles. There is also a significant incidence of herniated nucleus pulposus (HNP) in astronauts post-flight being most prevalent in cervical discs. Relief of in-flight lumbar back pain is facilitated by assuming a knee-to-c...

Astronauts exposed to microgravity frequently report low back pain. This pain is described as moderate to severe in intensity. This condition warrants investigation as low back pain may hinder an astronaut's ability to perform challenging tasks by virtue of disruption of sleep and, subsequently, mental concentration. It is reported by astronauts th...