Figure 1:

Hydrogel preparation and motion segment testing schematics: (A) CMC-MC hydrogel was delivered via a dual-barrel syringe with a mixing tip and an attached 20G needle; (B) herniation risk was determined by failure testing which consisted of displacement-controlled compression at 5° angle; (C) fatigue endurance was assessed by fatigue testing which consisted of cyclic eccentric compression using an indenter while specimen was under rotation (top view schematic indicates loading points); and (D) photograph of fatigue testing setup.