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Abstract

An article for use in the preparation of a hydrogel prosthetic nucleus, for an intervertebral disc, having equilibrium water contents (EWCs) of from about 30 to about 90% and compressive strengths of at least 4 meganewtons per square meter (MNm.sup.-2), at their EWCs, when subjected to the same constraints as the normal nucleus, comprising one or more xerogel rods containing from zero to less than the EWC. A method for preparing a hydrogel prosthetic nucleus, for a vertebral disc, comprising one or more hydrogel rods containing from about 30 to about 90% water, and having compressive strengths of at least 1 MNm.sup.-2, at their EWCs, which comprises inserting one or more hydrophilic xerogel rods, which at their EWC will contain from about 30 to about 90% water and have compressive strengths of at least 1 MNm.sup.-2, containing water in an amount from about zero to less than their EWC, into the cavity of the disc through an opening in its annulus and allowing the rod, or rods, to absorb sufficient water from the body fluids to attain their EWCs and essentially fill the intervertebral nuclear disc cavity.

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