C-arm Free O-arm Navigated Posterior Atlantoaxial Fixation in Down Syndrome: A Technical Note.

The surgical treatment of pediatric atlantoaxial subluxation (AAS) in Down syndrome (DS) remains technically challenging due to radiation exposure and complications such as vertebral artery injury and nonunion. The established treatment is fixation with a C1 lateral mass screw and C2 pedicle screw (modified Goel technique). However, this technique requires fluoroscopy for C1 screw insertion. To avoid exposing the operating team to radiation we present here a new C-arm free O-arm navigated surgical procedure for pediatric AAS in DS. A 5-year-old male DS patient had neck pain and unsteady gait. Radiograms showed AAS with an atlantodental interval of 10 mm, and irreducible subluxation on extension. CT scan showed Os odontoideum and AAS. MRI demonstrated spinal cord compression between the C1 posterior arch and odontoid process. We performed a C-arm free O-arm navigated modified Goel procedure with postoperative halo-vest immobilization. At oneyear follow-up, good neurological recovery and solid bone fusion were observed. The patient had no complications such as epidural hematoma, infection, or nerve or vessel injury. This novel procedure is a useful and safe technique that protects surgeons and staff from radiation risk.

Posterolateral Floating Technique for the Thoracic Ossification of the Posterior Longitudinal Ligament with Navigation: A Technical Note.

We describe a floating technique via a posterolateral approach with intraoperative O-arm navigation to facilitate decompression of the spinal cord in thoracic myelopathy due to severe ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament (OPLL). A 62-year-old man with myelopathy due to thoracic OPLL had left-leg muscle weakness, urinary disturbance, and spastic gait. Bilateral leg pain and gait disturbance had persisted for 2 years. He was successfully treated by the posterolateral OPLL floating procedure and posterior pedicle fixation under O-arm navigation. At a 2-year follow-up, manual muscle testing results and sensory function of the left leg had recovered fully. His cervical Japanese Orthopedic Association score had improved from 5/12 to 11/12. The novel intraoperative O-arm navigation-guided posterolateral floating procedure for thoracic OPLL is effective for achieving precise decompression and strong fixation with a posterior approach only and can provide an excellent result for severe thoracic OPLL without the risk of adverse events from intraoperative radiation.

Mechanical Study of Various Pedicle Screw Systems including Percutaneous Pedicle Screw in Trauma Treatment.

Background and Objectives: Spine surgery using a percutaneous pedicle screw placement (PPSP) is widely implemented for spinal trauma. However, percutaneous systems have been reported to have weak screw-rod connections. In this study, conventional open and percutaneous systems were biomechanically evaluated and compared. Material and Methods: The experiments were performed in two stages: the first stage was a break test, whereas the second stage was a fatigue test. Four systems were used for the experiments. System 1 was intended for conventional open surgery (titanium rod with a 6.0 mm diameter, using a clamp connecting mechanism). System 2 was a percutaneous pedicle screw (PPS) system for trauma (titanium alloy rod with a 6.0 mm diameter, using ball ring connections). System 3 was a PPS system for trauma (cobalt-chromium alloy rod with a 6.0 mm diameter, using sagittal adjusting screw connections). System 4 was a general-purpose PPS system (titanium alloy rod with a 5.5 mm diameter, using a mechanism where the adapter in the head holds down the screw). Results: Stiffness values of 54.8 N/mm, 43.1 N/mm, 90.9 N/mm, and 39.3 N/mm were reported for systems 1, 2, 3, and 4, respectively. The average number of load cycles in the fatigue test was 134,393, 40,980, 1,550,389, and 147,724 for systems 1 to 4, respectively. At the end of the test, the displacements were 0.2 mm, 16.9 mm, 1.2 mm, and 8.6 mm, respectively. System 1, with a locking mechanism, showed the least displacement at the end of the test. Conclusion: A few PPS systems showed better results in terms on stiffness and life than the open system. The experiments showed that mechanical strength varies depending on the spinal implant. The experiments conducted are essential and significant to provide the mechanical strength required for surgical reconstruction.

Long-Term Results of Posterior Vertebral Column Resection for Severe Thoracolumbar Kyphosis with Achondroplastic Patients: A Case Series.

Background and Objectives: Thoracolumbar kyphosis is one of the most frequent skeletal manifestations in patients with achondroplasia. Few papers have been published on the surgical treatment of this condition, especially in skeletally mature patients. With this study, we presented a retrospective case series of long-term surgical results for achondroplastic patients with severe thoracolumbar kyphosis. This study was conducted to evaluate the outcome of surgical treatment for thoracolumbar kyphosis in patients associated with achondroplasia presenting with paraparesis. Materials and Methods: Three patients with achondroplasia who developed neurologic deficits due to severe thoracolumbar kyphosis and underwent surgical treatment were evaluated (mean age 22.3 years; mean follow-up 9.3 years). All patients were treated with posterior vertebral column resection (p-VCR) of hypoplastic apical vertebrae with a cage and segmental instrumentation. Neurologic outcomes (JOA scores), correction of kyphosis, and operative complications were assessed. Results: All patients had back pain, neurological deficits, and urinary disturbance before surgery. The average preoperative JOA score was 8.3/11 points, which was improved to 10.7/11 points at the final follow-up (mean recovery rate 83%). All patients obtained neurologic improvement after surgery. The mean preoperative kyphotic angle was 117° (range 103°-126°). The postoperative angles averaged 37° (range 14°-57°), resulting in a mean correction rate of 67%. All patients had postoperative complications such as rod breakage and/or surgical site infection. Conclusions: The long-term results of p-VCR were acceptable for treating thoracolumbar kyphosis in patients with achondroplasia. To perform this p-VCR safely, spinal navigation and neuromonitoring are inevitable when resecting non anatomical fused vertebrae and ensuring correct pedicle screw insertion. However, surgical complications such as rod breakage and surgical site infection may occur at a high rate, making informed consent very important when surgery is indicated.

Maximal Resection of Intramedullary Lipoma Using Intraoperative Ultrasonography: A Technical Note.

One of the problems during surgery for intramedullary lipoma is the ambiguous boundary between the lipoma and the spinal cord, resulting in either incomplete resection or damage to the spinal cord. We report a case of intramedullary lipoma resection on a 61-year-old man in which the boundary between the tumor and spinal cord was repeatedly visualized with intraoperative ultrasonography. We focused on the distinctive features of fat as hyperechoic, in contrast to low-echo neural tissue. Subtotal resection of the tumor was achieved without any aggravation of neurological symptoms. Intraoperative ultrasonography may be useful for confirming tumor boundaries during intramedullary lipoma resection.

Assessment of the Concordance Rate between Intraoperative Pathological Diagnosis and the Final Pathological Diagnosis of Spinal Cord Tumors.

The intraoperative pathological diagnosis (IPD) plays an important role in determining the optimal surgical treatment for spinal cord tumors. The final pathological diagnosis (FPD) is sometimes different from the IPD. Here, we sought to identify the accuracy of the IPD of spinal cord tumors compared to the FPD. We retrospec-tively analyzed the cases of 108 patients with spinal cord tumors treated surgically in our institute; the IPD, FPD, mismatched cases, and concordance rate between the IPD and FPD were investigated. Five cases involved a mismatch between the IPD and FPD. The overall concordance rate was 95.4%, with 90.9% for extra-dural lesions, 98.5% for intradural extramedullary lesions, 84.2% for intramedullary lesions, and 100% for dumbbell-type tumors. The concordance rate of intramedullary lesions tended to be lower than that of other lesions (p = 0.096). A lower concordance rate was revealed for intramedullary lesions compared to the other lesions. Despite the IPD clearly remaining a valuable tool during operative procedures, surgeons should recog-nize the limitations of IPDs and make comprehensive decisions about surgical treatments.

Cognitive factors associated with locomotive syndrome in chronic pain patients: A retrospective study.

BACKGROUND: Prevention and treatment for locomotive syndrome (LS) are important for extending healthy life expectancy. The 25-question geriatric locomotive function scale (GLFS-25) was developed to diagnose LS. The Fear-Avoidance model was proposed to explain pain chronicity. LS and chronic pain decrease activities of daily living; however, the relationships between LS and factors related to chronic pain in the Fear-Avoidance model are unknown. Objective of the current study was to assess the prevalence of LS and examine the factors of the Fear-Avoidance model and the GLFS-25 that affect the prevalence of LS in patients with chronic pain. METHODS: Participants included 281 patients (99 men, 182 women) aged over 40 years with chronic pain who visited our outpatient clinic for chronic pain. All participants completed the GLFS-25, numeric rating scale (NRS), pain catastrophizing scale (PCS), hospital anxiety and depression scale (HADS), and Athene insomnia scale (AIS). According to a GLFS-25 cutoff point, participants were divided into three groups (LS-2; GLFS-25 ≥ 16, LS-1; 7 ≤ GLFS-25 < 16, and non-LS; GLFS-25 < 7 points) and each parameter was compared among the groups, followed by multiple logistic regression analysis. Next, multiple linear regression analysis was performed to determine the factors associated with the GLFS-25. RESULTS: Of all 281 patients, 241 (85.8%) patients were diagnosed with LS-2. Univariate analysis revealed there were significant differences in NRS, PCS, HADS anxiety, HADS depression, and AIS among groups. Multiple logistic regression analyses showed PCS was significantly associated with LS-2 prevalence. The GLFS-25 was positively correlated with NRS, HADS depression, AIS in multiple linear regression analysis. CONCLUSIONS: We found that patients with chronic pain in our outpatient clinic had a significant rate of LS-2. The prevalence of LS-2 was significantly correlate with pain catastrophizing, and the GLFS-25 was significantly correlated with higher pain intensity, depression, and insomnia.

Multipotent Neurotrophic Effects of Hepatocyte Growth Factor in Spinal Cord Injury.

Spinal cord injury (SCI) results in neural tissue loss and so far untreatable functional impairment. In addition, at the initial injury site, inflammation induces secondary damage, and glial scar formation occurs to limit inflammation-mediated tissue damage. Consequently, it obstructs neural regeneration. Many studies have been conducted in the field of SCI; however, no satisfactory treatment has been established to date. Hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) is one of the neurotrophic growth factors and has been listed as a candidate medicine for SCI treatment. The highlighted effects of HGF on neural regeneration are associated with its anti-inflammatory and anti-fibrotic activities. Moreover, HGF exerts positive effects on transplanted stem cell differentiation into neurons. This paper reviews the mechanisms underlying the therapeutic effects of HGF in SCI recovery, and introduces recent advances in the clinical applications of HGF therapy.

Venous Thromboembolism in Patients with Acute Thoracolumbar Spinal Cord Injury.

Venous thromboembolism (VTE) is a major complication in patients with acute spinal cord injury. There are few reports of VTE with acute thoracolumbar spinal cord injury (TLSCI). We assessed the incidence of VTE with acute TLSCI using color Doppler ultrasonography. We retrospectively assessed 75 patients with acute TLSCI (T1 to L1). All patients were surgically treated. VTE of the lower extremity and pelvis was assessed using color Doppler ultrasound regardless of whether symptoms were present. This retrospective study included patients who were assessed between 6 and 10 days (mean 8.1 days) after injury. VTE was detected in 27 of the 75 patients (35.7%) with or without paralysis. Of the 13 patients who had complete motor paralysis, 8 (62%) had VTE; of the 31 patients with incomplete motor paralysis, 10 (32%) had VTE, and of the 31 patients without motor paralysis, 9 (29%) had VTE. Among the patients with TLSCI, those with VTE had a significantly higher mean age than those without. The incidence of VTE in TLSCI patients is not related to the severity of paralysis in a Japanese population. The incidence appears to be related primarily to age.

Scoliosis correction surgery for patients with McCune-Albright syndrome using pedicle screws: a report of two cases with different characteristics and a review of the literature.

PURPOSE: Scoliosis can occur secondary to McCune-Albright syndrome (MAS); it can be progressive and sometimes requires surgical treatment. It is still unclear if pedicle screw (PS) fixation in these patients with poor bone quality can be considered an effective treatment for scoliosis. The purpose of this study is to report two MAS patients with spinal fibrous dysplasia (FD) who underwent scoliosis surgeries with the PS system. METHODS: Case 1: a 12-year-old girl. Standing posteroanterior radiographs revealed a 58° right curve from T7 to L2. Computed tomography (CT) showed small areas of FD throughout the spine. A posterior spinal arthrodesis from T4 to L3 using PS fixation was performed with a CT-based navigation system. Case 2: a 26-year-old woman. Radiographs in the standing position revealed a right 87° curve from T8 to L2 and a 55° kyphosis from T8 to T12. CT images showed multiple areas of severe spinal FD causing angular deformity and collapse of vertebral bodies. The patient underwent posterior spinal arthrodesis from T8 to her pelvis using a CT-based navigation system for PS fixation. RESULTS: Superior scoliosis corrections were obtained using PS instrumentation, attaining complete bony union in both cases without major complications. However, Case 2 had some technical difficulties in treating due to the multiple large FD lesions. CONCLUSIONS: PS fixation can be considered an effective treatment for correcting scoliosis and maintaining the correction at follow-up in MAS patients with poor bone quality. However, great care must be taken when performing correction and follow-up.

Management of lumbar artery injury related to pedicle screw insertion.

We report on 2 patients who experienced injury to one of their lumbar arteries related to pedicle screw misplacement. In this report, the lumbar pedicle screw holes were made laterally with resultant injury to the lumbar artery. During surgery, arterial bleeding was controlled with pressure and gauze; however, the patients experienced vital shock after surgery. Vital shock ensued and they were rescued by catheter embolization. If patients receiving lumbar instrumentation surgery experience severe anemia or vital shock postoperatively, the surgeon should assume lumbar artery injury as a differential diagnosis.

Development of dysphagia and trismus developed after c1-2 posterior fusion in extended position.

Cervical misalignment after upper cervical fusion including the occipital bone may cause trismus or dysphagia, because the occipito-atlanto joint is associated with most of the flex and extended motion of the cervical spine. There are no reports of dysphagia and trismus after C1-2 fusion. The purpose of this paper is to demonstrate the potential risk of dysphagia and trismus even after upper cervical short fusion without the occipital bone. The patient was a 69-year-old man with myelopathy caused by os odontoideum and Klippel-Feil syndrome, who developed dysphagia and trismus immediately after C1-2 fusion and C3-6 laminoplasty. Radiographs and CT revealed that his neck posture was extended, but his symptoms still existed a week after surgery. The fixation angle was hyperextended 12 days after the first surgery. His symptoms disappeared immediately after revision surgery. The fixation in the neck-flexed position is thought to be the main cause of the patient's post-operative dysphagia and trismus. Dysphagia and trismus may occur even after short upper cervical fusion without the occipital bone or cervical fusion in the neck-extended position. The pre-operative cervical alignment and range of motion of each segment should be thoroughly evaluated.

The clinical manifestations of lumbar disease are correlated with self-rating depression scale scores.

BACKGROUND: Depression can exacerbate symptoms of chronic pain and worsen disability. The symptoms of lumbar disease may be particularly sensitive to psychological state, but statistical associations between low back pain (LBP) severity and mental health status have not been established. METHODS: Of the 151 patients with LBP, 122 completed questionnaires probing depressive symptoms, LBP severity, and degree of disability. In addition to completing self-report questionnaires, patients provided demographic and clinical information. A self-rating depression scale (SDS) was used to screen for depression. Pain and disability were assessed by the visual analog scale (VAS) and the Roland-Morris disability questionnaire (RDQ), respectively. Overall clinical severity was assessed using the Japanese Orthopaedic Association (JOA) score. Kendall's tau correlation coefficients were calculated to examine the relationships among these variables. RESULTS: Ninety-four patients (77 %) were in a depressive state as indicated by SDS score ≥40, including mild depression group (47 patients, SDS score from 40 to 49) and depression group (47 patients, SDS score ≥50). There were only 28 patients in the no depression group (SDS score ≤39). There was no significant difference in both age and pain duration among the three groups. The mean VAS score in the depression group (70 ± 19 mm) was higher than both no depression (41 ± 24 mm) and mild depression groups (52 ± 21 mm). The mean JOA score in the no depression group (14 ± 5.0 points) was higher than both mild depression (12 ± 4.0 points) and depression groups (10 ± 6.0 points). The mean RDQ in the depression group (15.1 ± 6.0 points) was higher than both no depression (6.4 ± 5.0 points) and mild depression groups (10.9 ± 5.4 points). Factors significantly correlated with SDS score included VAS, JOA score, and RDQ score. In contrast, SDS did not correlate with patient age or pain duration. CONCLUSIONS: The majority of chronic LBP patients examined were in a depressed state and the severity of depression correlated with pain severity, degree of self-rated disability, and clinical severity.

Association of phase angle with sarcopenia in chronic musculoskeletal pain patients: a retrospective study.

BACKGROUND: In chronic musculoskeletal pain patients, detection of sarcopenia is of significant clinical interest. Phase angle, which can be measured through bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA), can detect sarcopenia; however, the evidence in chronic musculoskeletal pain patients is limited. This study aimed to assess the relationship between phase angle and sarcopenia in patients with chronic musculoskeletal pain. Our hypothesis was that phase angle would be a useful indicator to identify sarcopenia in patients with chronic musculoskeletal pain. METHODS: A total of 190 patients (51 men and 139 women) with chronic musculoskeletal pain were included in this retrospective cross-sectional study. Patient data of backgrounds, numeric rating scale score for pain, skeletal muscle index, and phase angle assessed using BIA were retrospectively reviewed. Sarcopenia was diagnosed using the Asian Working Group for Sarcopenia criteria 2019. RESULTS: A total of 51 patients (26.7%), including 10 men (19.6%) and 41 women (29.5%), were diagnosed with sarcopenia. Phase angle, sarcopenia-related factors, age, and body mass index (BMI) differed significantly in patients with and without sarcopenia. On multiple logistic regression analysis, the prevalence of sarcopenia was significantly correlated with phase angle and BMI. The areas under the curve exhibited high accuracy in discriminating sarcopenia in men and moderate accuracy in both sexes and in women. CONCLUSIONS: Phase angle may be a valid discriminator of sarcopenia in patients with chronic musculoskeletal pain.

Surgical treatment for congenital kyphosis correction using both spinal navigation and a 3-dimensional model.

An 11 year-old girl had 66 degrees of kyphosis in the thoracolumbar junction. For the purpose of planning for kyphosis correction, we created a 3-D, full-scale model of the spine and consulted spinal navigation. Three-dimensional models are generally used as tactile guides to verify the surgical approach and portray the anatomic relations specific to a given patient. We performed posterior fusion from Th10 to L3, and vertebral column resection of Th12 and L1. Screw entry points, directions, lengths and diameters were determined by reference to navigation. Both tools were useful in the bone resection. We could easily detect the posterior element to be resected using the 3D model. During the anterior bony resection, navigation helped us to check the disc level and anterior wall of the vertebrae, which were otherwise difficult to detect due to their depth in the surgical field. Thus, the combination of navigation and 3D models helped us to safely perform surgery for a patient with complex spinal deformity.

Dominant vertebral artery injury during posterior atlantoaxial transarticular screw fixation in a juvenile rheumatoid arthritis patient with atlantoaxial subluxation.

Many authors have reported on iatrogenic vertebral artery (VA) injury, but, to our knowledge, this is the first report of a dominant VA injury with compensatory blood flow from the hypoplastic VA. A 23-year-old woman with juvenile rheumatoid arthritis and atlantoaxial subluxation sustained injury to her dominant VA after occipitocervical fusion using transarticular screws. This did not result in lethal consequences due to compensation from her hypoplastic contralateral VA. Postoperative angiography, however, illustrated occlusion of the dominant left side, while the hypoplastic VA of the right side was enlarged. The patient experienced vertigo and loss of consciousness several times during rehabilitation. At the 4-year follow-up exam, bony fusion was observed, with no neurological deficits or correction loss. She had had no episodes of unconsciousness and no recurrence of any symptoms over the previous 3 years.

Segmental pedicle screw fixation for a scoliosis patient with post-laminectomy and post-irradiation thoracic kyphoscoliosis of spinal astrocytoma.

Spinal deformity is an important clinical manifestation after surgery for spinal cord tumors. One-third of patients who receive laminectomies and irradiation of the spinal column develop scoliosis, kyphosis, or kyphoscoliosis. Recent reports indicate good results after scoliosis surgery using segmental pedicle screws and a navigation system, but these reported studies have not included surgery for post-laminectomy kyphosis. Hooks and wires are ineffective in such patients who undergo laminectomy, and there are also high perioperative risks with insertion of pedicle screws because landmarks have been lost. Here, we report on the 5-year follow-up of a 13-year-old male patient with post-laminectomy and post-irradiation thoracic kyphoscoliosis after surgical treatment of spinal astrocytoma. Posterior segmental pedicle screw fixation was performed safely using a computer-assisted technique. The authors present the first case report for treatment of this condition using a navigation system.

Statistical analysis of prognostic factors for survival in patients with spinal metastasis.

There are a variety of treatment options for patients with spinal metastasis, and predicting prognosis is essential for selecting the proper treatment. The purpose of the present study was to identify the significant prognostic factors for the survival of patients with spinal metastasis. We retrospectively reviewed 143 patients with spinal metastasis. The median age was 61 years. Eleven factors reported previously were analyzed using the Cox proportional hazards model:gender, age, performance status, neurological deficits, pain, type of primary tumor, metastasis to major organs, previous chemotherapy, disease-free interval before spinal metastasis, multiple spinal metastases, and extra-spinal bone metastasis. The average survival of study patients after the first visit to our clinic was 22 months. Multivariate survival analysis demonstrated that type of primary tumor (hazard ratio [HR] = 6.80, p < 0.001), metastasis to major organs (HR = 2.01, p = 0.005), disease-free interval before spinal metastasis (HR = 1.77, p = 0.028), and extra-spinal bone metastasis (HR = 1.75, p = 0.017) were significant prognostic factors. Type of primary tumor was the most powerful prognostic factor. Other prognostic factors may differ among the types of primary tumor and may also be closely associated with primary disease activity. Further analysis of factors predicting prognosis should be conducted with respect to each type of primary tumor to help accurately predict prognosis.

Factors influencing caregiver burden in chronic pain patients: A retrospective study.

Chronic pain coexists with disability, anxiety, depression, and sleep disturbances, which are factors of pain chronicity in the fear-avoidance model. Self-efficacy for managing pain plays a protective role against pain chronicity. For chronic pain sufferers, social support from caregivers is important. However, such caregivers face enormous physical and mental burdens. This study aimed to assess how self-efficacy and factors related to the fear-avoidance model affect caregiver burden. Participants were 135 chronic pain patients and their caregivers who visited our outpatient pain special clinic. In clinical assessments, numeric rating scale (NRS), pain catastrophizing scale (PCS), hospital anxiety and depression scale (HADS), Athens insomnia scale (AIS), pain disability assessment scale (PDAS), pain self-efficacy questionnaire (PSEQ) for the patients and Zarit Burden Interview (ZBI) for their caregivers were evaluated. Participants were divided into 2 groups (L group ZBI < 24 points and H group ZBI ≥ 24 points) and compared. Regression analyses were conducted to identify factors correlated with the ZBI scores. Compared to L group, H group showed significantly higher NRS and HADs depression scores, and lower PSEQ scores. In univariate regression analysis, ZBI scores were significantly correlated with NRS, PCS, HADS anxiety, HADS depression, PDAS and PSEQ. Multiple linear regression analysis revealed that ZBI scores were significantly correlated with PSEQ. The caregivers who perceived high caregiver burden had significantly higher patients' pain intensity, depression, and lower self-efficacy than those who perceived low caregiver burden. Caregiver burden correlated with the pain intensity, pain catastrophizing, anxiety, depression, disability, and self-efficacy of chronic pain patients. Among these factors, self-efficacy was the most negatively correlated with caregiver burden. Treatments focused on increasing self-efficacy for managing pain have the potential to reduce caregiver burden.

Evaluation of SARC-F and SARC-CalF for sarcopenia screening in patients with chronic musculoskeletal pain: A prospective cross-sectional study.

OBJECTIVES: Early sarcopenia detection using screening tools, such as SARC-F and SARC-CalF, has been proven reliable. However, the relationship between chronic musculoskeletal pain with sarcopenia is unknown. This study assessed sarcopenia morbidity as well as the reliability of sarcopenia screening with SARC-F and SARC-CalF in patients with chronic musculoskeletal pain. METHODS: Overall, 172 patients with chronic musculoskeletal pain were included in this cross-sectional study. All participants completed the SARC-F, SARC-CalF, numeric rating scale (NRS), and pain disability assessment scale (PDAS) assessments. Sarcopenia was diagnosed using the Asian Working Group for Sarcopenia criteria 2019. Correlations between SARC-F and SARC-CalF scores and each measured variable were evaluated using univariate and multiple linear regression analyses. A receiver operating characteristic curve analysis was conducted, and reliabilities of SARC-F and SARC-CalF scores for diagnosing sarcopenia were compared. RESULTS: Thirty-nine patients were diagnosed with sarcopenia. Among these, 10 patients were <65 years old, and 29 were >65 years old. Both SARC-F and SARC-CalF scores significantly correlated with grip power, gait speed, skeletal mass index, numeric rating scale score, and PDAS score. In multiple linear regression analysis, SALC-F and SALC-CalF scores significantly correlated with PDAS score, skeletal mass index, and gait speed. The area under the curve were 0.70 for SARC-F and 0.88 for SARC-CalF; SARC-CalF had a significantly higher area under the curve than SARC-F. DISCUSSION: Sarcopenia was diagnosed in patients aged <65 years with chronic musculoskeletal pain. SALC-F and SARC-CalF scores showed a significant correlation with disability due to pain and were reliable sarcopenia screening tools for chronic musculoskeletal pain. SARC-CalF was more reliable than SARC-F.