applied mechanical forces the final composition will possess mechanical properties similar to cartilage or a disc and significantly less stiff than bone or implants comprised of metals or plastics the equilibrium stress conduction will minimize unnatural forces on neighboring healthy discs application_number US 201314061617 A description an embodiment of the invention is directed to a method of creating a soft fusion between vertebral bodies following the removal of a damaged or painful intervertebral disc discectomy the surgeon minces or macerates the disc into fragments smaller than 5 mm disc fragments are combined with mesenchymal or progenitor cells and a rigid scaffold these materials may also be combined with a binding agent the cells may be autologous or allogenic and may be derived from bone bone marrow adipose or intervertebral disc tissue the function of the cells is to modulate inflammation deposit new extracellular matrix proteins recruit endogenous cells and blood vessels by secretion and diffusion of growth factors and remodel the consolidated tissue over time the function of the disc fragments is to provide pro cartilage cues to the cells present within the consolidated mass the function of the rigid scaffold is to provide mechanical stiffness to the consolidated mass and a.