Vertebral body density role in determining vertebral osteoporotic fracture type and its progression.

Vertebral osteoporotic fractures (VOF) are among the most frequent fractures in the elderly, often leading to an impaired lifestyle and a high economic burden. Although a reduced bone mass density is considered one of the main risk factors for VOF, its role in determining the fracture type, using the AO spine-DGOU classification for osteoporotic thoracolumbar fractures, as well as its progression, is unknown. The current study aimed to: (1) reveal whether the bone density of the vertebral bodies of fractured and non-fractured vertebrae predicts the type of fracture, (2) examine whether bone density is associated with the initial and progressive collapse of the vertebral body, and (3) provide predictive measures for fracture progression. The study sample included 124 patients (40 males and 84 females) with an acute osteoporotic vertebral fracture who underwent a computerized tomography scan at the time of diagnosis and an x-ray at least 3 months later. The bone density of the fractured and adjacent (non-fractured) vertebrae was measured at diagnosis. The magnitude of the collapse and the progression of the fracture over time were calculated from height measurements of the vertebral bodies at diagnosis and follow-up. Age was a significant factor in predicting the fracture type and magnitude of collapse, whereas sex and bone density were not. The severity of the fracture was involved in predicting its progression, demonstrating that severe-type fractures tended to continue to collapse after diagnosis. However, when each type was examined independently, the density of the fractured vertebra had a protective effect on fracture progression. To conclude, identifying the type of fracture is beneficial in determining patient prognosis. Furthermore, the density of the fractured vertebra, the magnitude of collapse, and patient age are valuable predictors of fracture progression.

Scoliosis in osteogenesis imperfecta: results of posterior spinal fusion in 39 patients.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the outcomes of scoliosis corrective surgery in Osteogenesis Imperfecta (OI) patients with primarily pedicles screw fixation in terms of correcting and maintaining the correction of the spinal deformity, and to assess for several peri-operative parameters and complications associated with this surgical treatment. METHODS: Retrospective case series of 39 consecutive patients with OI treated surgically for scoliosis. The surgeries were performed between 2002 and 2020 by three different surgeons. All patients' medical peri-operative and post-operative charts were evaluated. Radiological assessment was performed by evaluation of the pre-operative, immediate post-operative and last follow-up plain radiographs. RESULTS: There were 20 females and 19 males included in this review with a mean age of 14 years (range, 6-20 years) at the time of surgery. The median follow-up time was 7.9 years. The mean pre-operative cobb angle (CA) of the major curve was 76.5 degrees (SD ± 18.9), decreasing to 42.6 (SD ± 17.4) in the long-term post-operative follow-up (P < 0.001). A total of 21 adverse events in 16 patients were noted. Only 4 patients required subsequent invasive surgical treatment or prolonged hospital stay. All other patients were treated conservatively with no lasting complication. CONCLUSION: Scoliosis surgical correction in OI patients seems to yield acceptable results, with maintained coronal plane surgical correction in the long-term follow-up. Even though a high peri-operative complications rate is observed in this series, there were no long-term sequelae or lasting complications. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level IV, Case series.

A Novel Classification for Diabetic Foot Ulcers of the First Ray.

OBJECTIVE: Diabetic foot ulcers of the first ray result from several distinct biomechanical mechanisms related to anatomical deformities, which must be addressed if surgical offloading is contemplated. The objective of this study was to create a classification of the anatomical deformities of first-ray ulcers that could lead to better standardization of treatment and reporting. METHODS: The authors performed a file review of patients with diabetic neuropathy diagnosed with first-ray ulcers over a period of 3 years in an outpatient setting. Anatomical deformities were diagnosed clinically and reported with ulcer location. The primary classification was the metatarsophalangeal joint, the interphalangeal joint, and the distal phalanx. RESULTS: Records for 59 patients (mean age, 62 years) with University of Texas A1 and A2 ulcers were reviewed. Mean ulcer duration was 2 months. The more common deformities were hallux valgus (41%), hallux valgus interphalangeus (14%), and hallux malleus (20%), and these were primarily associated with metatarsophalangeal, interphalangeal joint, and tip-of-toe ulcers, respectively (P < .0001). CONCLUSIONS: By classifying ulcer locations, the relevant corrective surgery may be chosen. Although some prophylactic procedures may be safe and effective, prophylactic hallux valgus correction in the diabetic foot requires further study.

Sacral stress fractures in athletes.

PURPOSE: Fatigue stress fractures are a common overuse injury, frequently associated with high load-bearing endurance activities such as running, military training and aerobic exercise. While these fractures can arise at any site, sacral stress fractures are poorly studied with evidence consisting mainly of case reports and limited case series. This review aims to analyze and summarize all reports published to date describing cases of sacral stress fracture in athletes. METHODS: PubMed, Embase, Web of Science and the Cochrane Database were systematically searched for studies reporting on Stress Fractures of the Sacrum. Insufficiency fractures of the elderly were excluded. RESULTS: The literature review revealed 49 studies reporting on 124 cases of sacral stress fractures. Seventy-six patients (61%) were professional or collegiate level athletes, and 37 (30%) were military recruits or police officers in training. Seventeen female athletes were identified as suffering from low bone mineral density (25%), 9 of which reported menstrual irregularities. Thirteen female patients (19%) had a history of eating disorders. CONCLUSION: While most sacral stress fractures occur in normal bones exposed to abnormal repetitive loads, the high percentage of lower bone mineral density can blur the lines between fatigue fractures and insufficiency fractures. The causes of these fractures are multifactorial. High endurance sports and the features of the female athlete triad were found in high percentage of the cases. Conservative treatment is the mainstay of treatment, consisting of ceasing of training and a period of rehabilitation and gradual return to training and competition.

[SEPTIC KNEE - DIAGNOSIS AND TREATMENT].

INTRODUCTION: Acute septic arthritis of the knee joint is an orthopedic emergency, potentially devastating, which can lead to high morbidity and may even be life-threatening. While any synovial joint can be infected, the knee is the most often affected joint and is involved in about 50 % of the cases. The infection is usually caused by a gram-positive bacteria. The diagnosis is made by synovial fluid aspiration, microbiological analysis and hematological investigations of inflammatory measures. Treatment requires emergency irrigation and debridement of the joint, and intravenous antibiotics. Surgical debridement can be performed either arthroscopically or via open arthrotomy. In recent years, arthroscopic treatment demonstrated more favorable outcomes with better functional outcomes, shorter operative time and hospital stays.

Routine sagittal whole-spine magnetic resonance imaging in finding incidental spine lesions.

PURPOSE: To examine the efficacy and feasibility of T2-weighted whole-spine sagittal magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) screening for all patients who undergo MRI of the lumbar spine for any indication. METHODS: A review of 1145 consecutive T2-weighted whole-spine sagittal MRI screening sequences performed for lumbar spine imaging was undertaken for the purposes of documenting the incidence and clinical significance of thoracic and cervical spine incidental findings, as well as to establish correlation between these pathologies and those found in the lumbar spine. RESULTS: Out of the 1145 patients included in the study, 103 (9%) patients had incidental findings thought to be significant. These findings included cervical spinal stenosis (n = 85), thoracic disc herniation (n = 9), syrinx (n = 5), intradural tumor (n = 2), and signal changes within the spinal cord (n = 2). In follow-up exams, 35 patients had clinically significant findings which included cervical myelopathy (n = 25), thoracic myelopathy (n = 3), syrinx (n = 5) and intradural tumor (n = 2). Among the 172 patients presenting with lumbar spinal stenosis, 42 (24.4%) had such incidental findings, and of those 41 (23.8%) had cervical stenosis with spinal cord compression (p < 0.0001). CONCLUSION: T2-weighted whole-spine sagittal screening is useful in demonstrating clinically relevant incidental findings in any patients undergoing MRI of the lumbar spine. There is a statistically significant correlation between lumbar spinal stenosis and cervical spinal stenosis with spinal cord compression.

Gas forming infection of the spine: a systematic and narrative review.

PURPOSE: Gas forming infection (GFI) of the spine is a rapidly progressive and potentially life-threatening infection. It can be a consequence of aetiologies such as Emphysematous Osteomyelitis (EOM), Necrotizing Fasciitis (NF), and Gas-containing Spinal Epidural Abscess (Gas-containing SEA). This review aims to summarize the characteristics of these subtypes of GFI, describing their aetiology, diagnosis, management, and prognosis. METHODS: PubMed, Embase, Web of Science and the Cochrane Database were systematically searched for studies reporting on gas forming infections of the spine or a known subtype. Cases of post-operative and iatrogenic spinal infection were excluded. RESULTS: The literature review revealed 35 studies reporting on 28 cases of EOM, three cases of NF involving the spine and seven cases of Gas-containing SEA. Thirty studies reporting on 32 cases of GFI were available for data analysis. The mean age of the patients was 60.9 years and a concomitant diagnosis of diabetes mellitus was reported in 57.5% of patients infected. Fever and back pain were the most common presenting symptoms. The lumbar spine was the most commonly affected spinal segment. Mortality from EOM, NF and Gas-containing SEA were 34.8, 100 and 28.5%, respectively. DISCUSSION: Gas forming infection of the spine is a rare condition with an extremely poor prognosis, requiring early and aggressive surgical treatment. A multi-disciplinary approach is necessary for management. Nonetheless, even in cases of early recognition and optimal management, multisystem failure may still occur, and mortality rates remain high due to the aggressive nature of this infection. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Systematic review of level IV studies.

Association between lumbosacral transitional vertebrae and spinal pathologies based on T2 whole-spine sagittal magnetic resonance imaging.

PURPOSE: To assess the association between 4, 5, or 6 lumbar spine vertebrae and the presence of lumbar spinal pathologies. METHODS: We reviewed all MRI reports and images performed between August 1st, 2018 and July 31st, 2019. Lumbar spine pathologies such as disc herniation, lytic spondylolisthesis, and spinal stenosis were recorded. The reviewer studied the T2 sagittal screening of the entire spine and counted down manually from C2 to T12 on the assumption that there are seven cervical and twelve dorsal vertebrae. We then recorded whether there were four, five, or six lumbar vertebrae. RESULTS: Our work incorporated a total of 1985 patients for whom T2-weighted entire spine sagittal MR images were obtainable. The study cohort's average age was 52.2 ± 15.9 years, comprising 944 males and 1041 females. One hundred and thirty-three patients (6.7%) had 4 lumbar-type vertebrae; 1799 (90.6%) had 5 lumbar-type vertebrae; and 53 (2.7%) had 6 lumbar-type vertebrae. There was a statistically significant difference between the rates of 6 lumbar-type vertebrae in males versus females (p < 0.05). There was a statistically significant difference with more spinal stenosis patients in the 6 lumbar-type vertebrae compared to the 4 or 5 lumbar-type vertebrae groups (p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Our study shows that spinal stenosis is significantly more common in patients with 6 lumbar-type vertebrae.

Height Gain Prediction in Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis Based on Preoperative Parameters.

BACKGROUND: The purpose of the study was to identify preoperative parameters which are associated with height gain after corrective surgery for adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) and their use to preoperatively quantify the potential for height gain after AIS correction. METHODS: Our study included 87 consecutive patients with AIS who underwent posterior fusion. Patients' height was measured the day before surgery and before their discharge. Demographic and radiologic variables were analyzed for predictability of height gain. RESULTS: The mean height gain was 3.85 cm. We have found a statistically significant correlation between height gain and the following measures: preoperative thoracic curve, preoperative thoracolumbar curve, preoperative thoracic kyphosis, flexibility of the main thoracic and thoracolumbar curves, and number of fused levels (all P<0.05). Patients with Lenke type 1 and 2 had statistically less height gain compared with patients with Lenke type 3, 4, 6. CONCLUSION: Most of the scoliosis patients with Lenke type 1 and 2 will gain up to 3 cm after surgery while most of the patients with Lenke type 3, 4, 6 will gain more than 3 cm. Most patients with Lenke type 3, 4, 6 with a major curve of less than 60 degrees will gain up to 4 cm, while most of those with a major curve of more than 60 degrees will gain more than 4 cm. Patient with a positive thoracic sagittal modifier tend to have more height gain after surgery.

Clinical and Radiographical Characteristics in Male and Female Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis Surgical Candidates.

BACKGROUND: Gender differences in adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) have been documented in curve progression, response to bracing, and outcomes of surgical treatment. However, limited information is available about the relation between gender and scoliosis curve patterns and radiographical characteristics. OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the effect of gender on curve pattern and compare clinical and radiographical characteristics between male and female patients with AIS. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective review of prospectively collected data that compared clinical and radiographical characteristics between male and female surgical candidates. Demographic and clinical data including age at presentation, gender, family history of scoliosis, brace treatment history, clinical coronal balance, shoulder asymmetry, and hump size were recorded. All patients graded their pain with the use of a visual analogue scale (VAS) on a scale from 0 to 10. Radiographs of the spine were reviewed to determine the type of curve according to the Lenke classification, Cobb angle, thoracic kyphosis angle, and the Risser sign. Radiologic coronal balance was recorded. Curve flexibility was determined by measuring the thoracic and lumbar curves magnitude on side bending radiographs. RESULTS: The study included 163 patients with AIS including 35 males and 128 females patients. Although a trend toward more flexible major thoracic curves in females was noticed, there was no statistically significant difference between the 2 groups. CONCLUSIONS: In this study we were not able to demonstrate any clinical nor radiological statistical differences between male and female patients who are candidate for surgical treatment.

Seven years follow-up for total lumbar facet joint replacement (TOPS) in the management of lumbar spinal stenosis and degenerative spondylolisthesis.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the feasibility and clinical improvement of a total posterior arthroplasty system in the surgical management of lumbar degenerative spondylolisthesis and or spinal stenosis. METHODS: During a 1-year period (June 2006 to July 2007), ten patients were enrolled in a non-randomized prospective clinical study. The primary indication was neurogenic claudication due to spinal stenosis with single-level degenerative spondylolisthesis. Patients were evaluated with X-rays and MRI scans, visual analog scale (VAS) for back and leg pain, the Oswestry disability questionnaire, and the SF-36 health survey preoperatively, at 6 weeks, 3 months and 6 months and at 1, 2, 3 and 7 years postoperatively. RESULTS: The VAS score for back pain dropped from 56.2 preoperatively to 12.5 at 6 weeks and 19 at 7 years follow-up. The VAS score for worse leg pain dropped from 83.5 before surgery to 13 at 6 weeks and 8.8 at 7 years follow-up. The ODI dropped from 49.1 preoperatively to 13.5 at 6 weeks and 7.8 at 7 years follow-up. MRI examination at 7 years after surgery did not demonstrate stenosis adjacent to the stabilized segment. Spondylolisthesis did not progress in any of the cases. One patient had a symptomatic L3-L4 far lateral disc herniation 5 years after surgery whose symptoms resolved with non-operative treatment. In one patient, conversion to posterolateral fusion was performed due to an early device malfunction. CONCLUSION: In patients with spinal stenosis and degenerative spondylolisthesis, decompression and posterior arthroplasty with the TOPS System can maintain clinical improvement and radiologic stability over time.

The relation between location of cervical cord compression and the location of myelomalacia.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between the location of the cervical cord compression and the increased signal intensity within the cervical cord on T2-weighted imaging (T2WI) in patients with cervical myelopathy and myelomalacia. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We reviewed 1,615 MRI reports from January 2011 to May 2013 from a single institution. Of the 1,615 reports reviewed, 168 patients were diagnosed with increased signal intensity within the cervical spine on T2WI. After applying the exclusion criteria 82 patients were included in the study. The MRIs of these 82 patients were then reviewed and the location of the increased signal intensity on T2WI in relation to the location of the pressure on the spinal cord was recorded. RESULTS: In more than 50 % of the cases the lesions with increased signal intensity on T2WI either were located distal to the pressure on the spinal cord or started at the level of the pressure and extended to an area distal to the pressure. In 26 out of the 92 lesions with increased signal intensity on T2WI, the lesion started proximal to the pressure on the spinal cord and extended distal to it. In only 3 out of the 92 lesions, the lesion with increased signal intensity on T2WI was solely located proximal to the pressure on the spinal cord. In 5 other cases the lesion with increased signal intensity on T2WI started proximal to the level of pressure on the spinal cord and extended into the level of pressure on the spinal cord (p < 0.001; Table 1). CONCLUSION: Cervical myelomalacia may appear proximal, distal or at the level of the compressed cord. It rarely appears solely proximal to the pressure area on the cord.

Predictors of back pain in adolescent idiopathic scoliosis surgical candidates.

BACKGROUND: There are contradictory reports on the overall prevalence of back pain in the adolescent population compared with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) patients. Most reports do not investigate pain in patients with AIS but try to identify in which subgroup of patients with AIS an underlying pathology should be excluded. The objective of this study was to find whether AIS in operative candidate patients is a painful condition and to try and find clinical and radiologic predisposing factors, which will help us to predict patients who are going to have pain. METHODS: Candidates who had to undergo an operative treatment for AIS between October 2004 and October 2009 in our institution, were enrolled to the study. Pain was graded with the use of visual analogue scale (VAS) on a scale from 0 to 10. We recorded the age at presentation, sex, menarchal status, family history of scoliosis, brace treatment history, and neurological findings. Radiologic parameters recorded were: the type of curve according to the Lenke classification, Cobb angle, thoracic kyphosis angle, apex vertebra rotation, Risser grade, coronal balance, and curves flexibility. RESULTS: Seventy patients with AIS were included in this study. Fifty patients (71%) reported of some kind of back pain with 34 patients (48%) grading their pain as ≥5 on the VAS.Patients in whom scoliosis was diagnosed in older age and patients with a more rigid lumbar curve had statistically significant higher VAS scores (P=0.014, P=0.036). Patients who were treated with a brace had a statistically significant lower VAS scores (P=0.019). CONCLUSIONS: Back pain is common in patients with AIS who are candidates for operative treatment. The following parameters correlate with worse back pain: older age at diagnosis, no use of brace, and rigid lumbar curve. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Type III.

Fusion's Location and Quality within the Fixated Segment Following Transforaminal Interbody Fusion (TLIF).

Transforaminal interbody fusion (TLIF) has gained increased popularity over recent decades and is being employed as an established surgical treatment for several lumbar spine pathologies, including degenerative spondylosis, spondylolisthesis, infection, tumor and some cases of recurrent disc herniation. Despite the seemingly acceptable fusion rates after TLIF (up to 94%), the literature is still limited regarding the specific location and quality of fusion inside the fixated segment. In this single-institution, retrospective population-based study, we evaluated all post-operative computed tomography (CT) of patients who underwent TLIF surgery at a medium-sized medical center between 2010 and 2020. All CT studies were performed at a minimum of 1 year following the surgery, with a median of 2 years. Each CT study was evaluated for post-operative fusion, specifically in the posterolateral and intervertebral body areas. The fusion's quality was determined and classified in each area according to Lee's criteria, as follows: (1) definitive fusion: definitive bony trabecular bridging across the graft host interface; (2) probable fusion: no definitive bony trabecular crossing but with no gap at the graft host interface; (3) possible arthrosis: no bony trabecular crossing with identifiable gap at the graft host interface; (4) definite pseudarthrosis: no traversing trabecular bone with definitive gap. A total of 48 patients were included in this study. The median age was 55.6 years (SD ± 15.4). The median time from surgery to post-operative CT was 2 years (range: 1-10). Full definitive fusion in both posterolateral and intervertebral areas was observed in 48% of patients, and 92% showed definitive fusion in at least one area (either posterolateral or intervertebral body area). When comparing the posterolateral and the intervertebral area fusion rates, a significantly higher definitive fusion rate was observed in the posterolateral area as compared to the intervertebral body area in the long term follow-up (92% vs. 52%, p < 0.001). In the multivariable analysis, accounting for several confounding factors, including the number of fixated segments and cage size, the results remained statistically significant (p = 0.048). In conclusion, a significantly higher definitive fusion rate at the posterolateral area compared to the intervertebral body area following TLIF surgery was found. Surgeons are encouraged to employ bone augmentation material in the posterolateral area (as the primary site of fusion) when performing TLIF surgery.

Efficacy of Intra-articular Versus Extra-articular Bupivacaine Injection in Arthroscopic Partial Meniscectomy: A Prospective, Randomized, Double-Blind Clinical Trial.

Background: Immediate postoperative pain relief following arthroscopic partial meniscectomy remains a critical contributor to improved patient experience, early recovery of range of motion, and enhanced rehabilitation. Purpose: To evaluate the effect of intra-articular versus extra-articular bupivacaine on pain intensity and analgesic intake after arthroscopic partial meniscectomy. Study Design: Randomized controlled trial; Level of evidence, 1. Methods: This was a prospective double-blind, randomized clinical trial. All patients included underwent arthroscopic partial meniscectomy under general anesthesia. Patients were randomized into 2 groups, with 20 patients in each group. At the conclusion of the arthroscopic procedure, the intra-articular group received 10 mL 0.5% bupivacaine introduced intra-articularly and 10 mL isotonic saline 0.9% infiltrated subcutaneously around the portals. The extra-articular group received the isotonic saline intra-articularly and the bupivacaine around the portals. The primary outcome was the visual analog scale (VAS) for pain. Assessments were performed 0 to 0.5, 1 to 2, 2 to 4, and at 24 and 48 hours postoperatively. In addition, analgesic and narcotic consumption was monitored. Results: There were no differences between the groups in terms of patient demographics. VAS scores for the intra-articular group were 6, 8, 3.25, 4.3, and 4.5 at 0 to 0.5, 1 to 2, 2 to 4, 24, and 48 hours postoperatively, respectively. VAS scores for the extra-articular group were 3.8, 5, 2.9, 5.2, and 5.25, respectively. No statistically significant differences were observed between the 2 groups regarding pain intensity at all time points. There was also no statistically significant difference in analgesic consumption. Dipyrone was the preferred drug by patients from the intra-articular group, while the extra-articular group preferred to use opioids and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. Conclusion: There were no differences in pain severity and analgesic intake between intra- or extra-articular bupivacaine administration after arthroscopic partial meniscectomy.

Traumatic Posterior Atlantoaxial Dislocation With an Associated Fracture: A Systematic Review.

STUDY DESIGN: Systematic review. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the clinical presentation, mechanism of injury, patients' characteristics, diagnosis, treatment, and prognosis of traumatic posterior atlantoaxial dislocation with fracture (TPAD). BACKGROUND: TPAD is an extremely rare entity, with a limited number of cases reported in the literature. Although rare, a thorough understanding of the pathogenesis and management of such cases is required due to the high risk of spinal cord compression and the severity of neurological deficits. We conducted a systematic review of all cases of TPAD with fractures reported in the literature. METHODS: This systematic review was conducted following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-analysis guidelines. Relevant literature was retrieved from the Pubmed database. All published English-written studies involving human subjects with relevant data regarding TPAD were included. RESULTS: Two case series and 20 case reports published between 1924 and 2021 describing 28 patients with TPAD were included. The median age at presentation was 51.5 years, with male predominance (83%). The most common fracture pattern was Anderson and D'alonzo type II odontoid fracture (78%). Neurological exam at presentation was intact in 52% of patients. The primary diagnostic imaging was computed tomography employed in 96% of cases. The management consisted of 2 stages protocol, initially, a temporary axial traction was employed (54%), and later definitive surgical treatment was employed (93%). The posterior surgical approach was favored in 82% of cases. CONCLUSION: TPAD with fracture occurred in the majority of cases with Anderson and D'alonzo type II odontoid fracture, predominantly in males. Diagnosis is usually established based on computed tomography imaging; further imaging may not be indicated as it does not seem to alternate the patient's management course. Surgical intervention was employed in almost all cases, with favored results through posterior C1-C2 fusion. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level-IV.

A Prospective Study of Lumbar Facet Arthroplasty in the Treatment of Degenerative Spondylolisthesis and Stenosis: Results from the Total Posterior Spine System (TOPS) IDE Study.

STUDY DESIGN: Prospective randomized Food and Drug Administration investigational device exemption clinical trial. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of the present study is to report the 1-year clinical and radiographic outcomes and safety profile of patients who underwent lumbar facet arthroplasty through implantation of the Total Posterior Spine System (TOPS) device. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: Lumbar facet arthroplasty is one proposed method of dynamic stabilization to treat grade-1 spondylolisthesis with stenosis; however, there are currently no Food and Drug Administration-approved devices for facet arthroplasty. METHODS: Standard demographic information was collected for each patient. Radiographic parameters and patient-reported outcome measures were assessed preoperatively and at regular postoperative intervals. Complication and reoperation data were also collected for each patient. RESULTS: At the time of this study, 153 patients had undergone implantation of the TOPS device. The mean surgical time was 187.8 minutes and the mean estimated blood loss was 205.7cc. The mean length of hospital stay was 3.0 days. Mean Oswestry Disability Index, Visual Analog Score leg and back, and Zurich Claudication Questionnaire scores improved significantly at all postoperative time points ( P >0.001). There were no clinically significant changes in radiographic parameters, and all operative segments remained mobile at 1-year follow-up. Postoperative complications occurred in 11 patients out of the 153 patients (7.2%) who underwent implantation of the TOPS device. Nine patients (5.9%) underwent a total of 13 reoperations, 1 (0.6%) of which was for device-related failure owing to bilateral L5 pedicle screw loosening. CONCLUSIONS: Lumbar facet arthroplasty with the TOPS device demonstrated a statistically significant improvement in all patient-reported outcome measures and the ability to maintain motion at the index level while limiting sagittal translation with a low complication rate.

Reversing the concept: correction of adolescent idiopathic scoliosis using the convex rod de-rotation maneuver.

PURPOSE: To show the radiological results of adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) patients treated with posterior fusion using all-pedicle-screw construct with correction carried out using a convex rod reduction technique. METHODS: Between October 2004 and June 2007, 42 AIS patients were treated with posterior fusion using all-pedicle-screw construct with correction done through the convex side. Two patients were lost to follow-up and were not included in the study. Forty patients had a minimum follow-up of 2 years. Patients were evaluated for the deformity correction in coronal and sagittal planes and for spinal balance. RESULTS: The mean preoperative Cobb angle of the major curve and secondary minor curves was 60° and 41°, respectively. Immediate postoperative mean Cobb angle of the major curve and secondary minor curves was 17° and 13°, respectively. Postoperative 2-year average major curve loss of correction was 7 %. Postoperative 2-year average minor curve loss of correction was 5 %. Preoperative thoracic kyphosis of 28° was changed to 22° in 2-years follow-up. The loss of thoracic kyphosis was most noted in hyperkyphotic patients. CONCLUSIONS: The correction of AIS by convex-sided pedicular screws yields a coronal correction comparable to what is described in the literature for segmental concave-sided screws.

What is the best way to apply the Spurling test for cervical radiculopathy?

BACKGROUND: A diagnosis of cervical radiculopathy is based largely on clinical examination, including provocative testing. The most common maneuver was described in 1944 by Spurling and Scoville. Since then, several modifications of the original maneuver have been proposed to improve its value in the diagnosis of cervical radiculopathy. QUESTIONS/PURPOSES: We assessed the ability of six known variations of the Spurling test to reproduce the complaints of patients diagnosed with cervical radiculopathy. METHODS: We prospectively enrolled 67 patients presenting with cervical radicular-like symptoms and concordant radiographic findings. Each patient underwent six distinct provocative cervical spine maneuvers by two examiners, during which three parameters were recorded: (1) pain intensity (VAS score), (2) paresthesia intensity (0 - no paresthesia, 1 - mild to moderate, and 2 - severe), and (3) characteristic pain distribution (0 - no pain, 1 - neck pain only, 2 - arm pain only, 3 - pain elicited distal to the elbow). The interobserver reliability of the reported VAS score (measured by the intraclass coefficient correlation) ranged from 0.78 to 0.96 and the calculated kappa values of the categorical parameters ranged from 0.58 to 1.0 for paresthesia intensity and from 0.63 to 1.0 for pain distribution. Differences in scores elicited between the two examiners for the 67 patients were resolved by consensus. RESULTS: A maneuver consisting of extension, lateral bending, and axial compression resulted in the highest VAS score (mean, 7) and was associated with the most distally elicited pain on average (mean, 2.5). The highest paresthesia levels were reported after applying extension, rotation, and axial compression (mean, 1). These maneuvers, however, were the least tolerable, causing discontinuation of the examination on three occasions. CONCLUSIONS: Whenever cervical radiculopathy is suspected our observations suggest the staged provocative maneuvers that should be included in the physical evaluation are extension and lateral bending first, followed by the addition of axial compression in cases with an inconclusive effect.

Spinal cord position in adolescent idiopathic scoliosis.

BACKGROUND: The use of thoracic pedicle screws in deformity surgery provides a stable fixation system. The concept of acceptably positioned screws includes a worrisome subset of screws that perforate the medial pedicle cortex and may result in some compromise of the spinal canal. A significant higher incidence of cortical wall penetration on the concave side compared with the convex was previously found. Although several authors assumed that the spinal cord hugs the concave pedicles when the spinal deformity is scoliosis, the position of spinal cord in adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) has not been studied in depth. METHODS: We reviewed 45 patients who were candidate for operative treatment for AIS between August 2007 and October 2010 at our institution. Posteroanterior and lateral 3-ft standing preoperative radiographs of the spine were reviewed to determine: Cobb angle of the thoracic curves, apex vertebra of the curves, and end vertebras of the curves. Magnetic resonance images were retrospectively reviewed. The lateral cord space (LCS) ratio, which reflects the relative position of the spinal cord in the spinal canal, was calculated for each level with a thoracic curve. RESULTS: The average LCS for thoracic curves of >50 degrees was 2.123. The average LCS for thoracic curves of <50 degrees was 1.551 (P=0.002). The LCS for the apex vertebra was 1.699. The LCS for the upper end vertebra and lower end vertebra were 1.212, 1.225, respectively (P<0.001). There was a statistically significant difference between right thoracic curves and left thoracic curve regarding the LCS. In right thoracic curve the LCS was 1.487 (1.487+0.45) while in left thoracic curve it was 0.761 (0.761+0.17) meaning that in both curves the spinal cord moved to the concave side of the curve. CONCLUSIONS: Our study confirms that spinal cord in AIS tend to follow the appearance of the curve with its being tethered on the concave side. The spinal cord is close to the pedicle around the apex area.