Limited angular remodelling after in-situ fixation for slipped capital femoral epiphysis : A study on radiographs from the Swedish pediatric orthopaedic quality registry for SCFE.

BACKGROUND: In Sweden, most children with slipped capital femoral epiphysis (SCFE) are operated on with a single smooth pin or a short-threaded screw, allowing further growth of the femoral neck. Using the Swedish Pediatric Orthopaedic Quality registry, SPOQ, we investigated whether angular remodelling occurs adjacent to the proximal femoral epiphysis after fixation of SCFE using implants, allowing continued growth of the femoral neck. METHODS: During 2008-2010 a total national population of 155 children were reported to the SPOQ registry. Following our strict inclusion criteria, radiographs of 51 hips were further assessed. The lateral Head Shaft Angle (HSA), the Nötzli 3-point α-angle, the anatomic α-angle, and the Anterior Offset Ratio (AOR) on the first postoperative radiographs and at follow-up were measured to describe the occurrence of remodelling. Slip severity was categorised as mild, moderate or severe according to postoperative HSA. RESULTS: Mean and SD values for the change in HSA were 3,7° (5,0°), for 3-point α-angle 6,8° (8,9°), and anatomic α-angle 13,0° (16,3°). The overall increase in AOR was 0,038 (0.069). There were no significant differences between the slip severity groups. CONCLUSIONS: We found limited angular remodelling after in situ fixation with smooth pins or short threaded screws for SCFE. The angular remodelling and the reduction of the CAM deformity was less than previously described after fixation of SCFE with similar implants. Results about the same magnitude with non-growth sparing techniques suggest that factors other than longitudinal growth of the femoral neck are important for angular remodelling.

Correction: Dufvenberg et al. Six-Month Results on Treatment Adherence, Physical Activity, Spinal Appearance, Spinal Deformity, and Quality of Life in an Ongoing Randomised Trial on Conservative Treatment for Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis (CONTRAIS). J. Clin. Med. 2021, 10, 4967.

In the original publication [...].

Magnetically controlled growing rod treatment for early-onset scoliosis: analysis of 52 consecutive cases demonstrates improvement of coronal deformity.

Background: The purpose of this study was to report the radiographic results and complications of magnetically controlled growing rod (MCGR) treatment in patients with early-onset scoliosis (EOS). Methods: Patient records and radiographs from a consecutive series of patients treated with MCGR for EOS at two Swedish institutions were reviewed retrospectively. Radiographic analysis included Cobb angle, T1-T12 height, T1-S1 height, thoracic kyphosis, and lung height. Subgroup analyses were performed on primary versus conversion cases and single versus dual rods using one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) and independent samples t-test. Results: Fifty-two cases treated with MCGR (24 single rods, 28 dual rods) were included from local surgical records into this cohort study, 32 primary and 20 converted from other growth friendly surgical treatment. Mean age at MCGR implantation was 7.4 (2.0-14.6) years old in the primary group and 9.3 (5.0-16.1) years old in the converted group. Mean follow-up time was 3.7 (2.0-7.6) years. Mean (standard deviation; SD) Cobb angle of the major curve changed from 62° (17°) preoperatively to 42° (16°) postoperatively to 46° (18°) at final follow-up (P<0.001). Mean (SD) overall thoracic kyphosis changed from 41° (19°) preoperatively to 32° (14°) postoperatively to 39° (17°) at final follow-up (P=0.018). Mean T1-T12 height was 177 mm (34 mm) preoperatively, 183 mm (35 mm) immediate postoperative and 199 mm (35 mm) at final follow-up (P=0.047). The mean T1-T12 height increased significantly in the primary group but not in the converted group. The number of surgeries was 114 (78 planned, 36 unplanned). The rate of unplanned surgeries did not differ significantly between single and dual rods. The total number of complications was 70 of which 38 were implant related. The overall mean complication rate was 1.4 (0-4). There were no significant differences in complication rates between subgroups. Conclusions: MCGR treatment enabled and maintained correction of spinal deformity while allowing spinal growth. There were no significant differences in complication rates or unplanned surgeries between the groups treated with single or dual rods.

Six-Month Results on Treatment Adherence, Physical Activity, Spinal Appearance, Spinal Deformity, and Quality of Life in an Ongoing Randomised Trial on Conservative Treatment for Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis (CONTRAIS).

Adolescents with idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) often receive conservative treatments aiming to prevent progression of the spinal deformity during puberty. This study aimed to explore patient adherence and secondary outcomes during the first 6 months in an ongoing randomised controlled trial of three treatment interventions. Interventions consisted of physical activity combined with either hypercorrective Boston brace night shift (NB), scoliosis-specific exercise (SSE), or physical activity alone (PA). Measures at baseline and 6 months included angle of trunk rotation (ATR), Cobb angle, International Physical Activity Questionnaire short form (IPAQ-SF), pictorial Spinal Appearance Questionnaire (pSAQ), Scoliosis Research Society (SRS-22r), EuroQol 5-Dimensions Youth (EQ-5D-Y) and Visual Analogue Scale (EQ-VAS). Patient adherence, motivation, and capability in performing the intervention were reported at 6 months. The study included 135 patients (111 females) with AIS and >1-year estimated remaining growth, mean age 12.7 (1.4) years, and mean Cobb angle 31 (±5.3). At 6 months, the proportion of patients in the groups reporting high to very high adherence ranged between 72 and 95%, while motivation ranged between 65 and 92%, with the highest proportion seen in the NB group (p = 0.014, p= 0.002). IPAQ-SF displayed significant between group main effects regarding moderate activity (F = 5.7; p = 0.004; ηp2 = 0.10), with a medium-sized increase favouring the SSE group compared to NB. Walking showed significant between group main effects, as did metabolic equivalent (MET-min/week), with medium (F = 6.8, p = 0.002; ηp2 = 0.11, and large (F = 8.3, p = < 0.001, ηp2 = 0.14) increases, respectively, for the SSE and PA groups compared to NB. From baseline to 6 months, ATR showed significant between group medium-sized main effects (F = 1.2, p = 0.019, ηp2 = 0.007) favouring the NB group compared to PA, but not reaching a clinically relevant level. In conclusion, patients reported high adherence and motivation to treatment, especially in the NB group. Patients in the SSE and PA groups increased their physical activity levels without other clinically relevant differences between groups in other clinical measures or patient-reported outcomes. The results suggest that the prescribed treatments are viable first-step options during the first 6 months.

Correction to: A pain relieving reimbursement program? Effects of a value-based reimbursement program on patient reported outcome measures.

An amendment to this paper has been published and can be accessed via the original article.

A pain relieving reimbursement program? Effects of a value-based reimbursement program on patient reported outcome measures.

BACKGROUND: Value-based reimbursement programs have become increasingly common. However, little is known about the effect of such programs on patient reported outcomes. Thus, the aim of this study was to analyze the effect of introducing a value-based reimbursement program on patient reported outcome measures and to explore whether a selection bias towards less complicated patients occurred. METHODS: This is a retrospective observational study with a before and after design based on the introduction of a value-based reimbursement program in Region Stockholm, Sweden. We analyzed patient level data from inpatient and outpatient care of patients undergoing lumbar spine surgery during 2006-2015. Patient reported outcome measures used was Global Assessment, EQ-5D-3L and Oswestry Disability Index. The case-mix of surgically treated patients was analyzed using medical and socioeconomic factors. RESULTS: The value-based reimbursement program did not have any effect on targeted or non-targeted patient reported outcome measures. Moreover, the share of surgically treated patients with risk factors such as having comorbidities and being born outside of Europe increased after the introduction. Hence, the value-based reimbursement program did not encourage discrimination against sicker patients. However, the income was higher among patients surgically treated after the introduction of the value-based reimbursement. This indicates that a value-based reimbursement program may contribute to increased inequalities in access to healthcare. CONCLUSIONS: The value-based reimbursement program did not have any effect on patient reported outcome measures. Our study contributes to the understanding of the effects of a value-based reimbursement program on patient reported outcome measures and to what extent cherry-picking arises.

Anterior lengthening in scoliosis occurs only in the disc and is similar in different types of scoliosis.

BACKGROUND CONTEXT: Relative anterior spinal overgrowth was proposed as a generalized growth disturbance and a potential initiator of adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS). However, anterior lengthening has also been observed in neuromuscular (NM) scoliosis and was shown to be restricted to the apical areas and located in the intervertebral discs, not in the bone. This suggests that relative anterior spinal overgrowth does not rightfully describe anterior lengthening in scoliosis, as it seems not a generalized active growth phenomenon, nor specific to AIS. PURPOSE: To determine if compensatory curves in congenital scoliosis exhibit a mechanism of anterior lengthening without changes in the vertebral body, similar to curves in AIS and NM scoliosis. STUDY DESIGN/SETTING: Cross-sectional. PATIENT SAMPLE: CT-scans were included of patients in whom a short segment congenital malformation had led to a long thoracic compensatory curve without bony abnormality. Based on data of other scoliosis types, the calculated required sample size was n=12 to detect equivalence of vertebral bodies as compared with nonscoliotic controls. Out of 143 congenital scoliosis patients, 18 fit the criteria and compared with 30 nonscoliotic controls, 30 AIS and 30 NM scoliosis patients. OUTCOME MEASURES: The anterior-posterior length discrepancy (AP%) of the total curve and for vertebral bodies and intervertebral discs separately. METHODS: Of each vertebral body and intervertebral disc in the compensatory curve, the anterior and posterior length was measured on CT-scans in the exact mid-sagittal plane, corrected for deformity in all three planes. The AP% was calculated for the total compensatory curve (Cobb-to-Cobb) and for the vertebral bodies and the intervertebral discs separately. Positive AP% indicated that the anterior side was longer than the posterior side. RESULTS: The total AP% of the compensatory curve in congenital scoliosis showed lordosis (+1.8%) that differed from the kyphosis in nonscoliotic controls (-3.0%; p<.001) and was comparable to the major curve in AIS (+1.2%) and NM scoliosis (+0.5%). This anterior lengthening was not located in the bone; the vertebral body AP% showed kyphosis (-3.2%), similar to nonscoliotic controls (-3.4%) as well as AIS (-2.5%) and NM scoliosis (-4.5%; p=1.000). However, the disc AP% showed lordosis (+24.3%), which sharply contrasts to the kyphotic discs of controls (-1.5%; p<.001), but was similar to AIS (+17.5%) and NM scoliosis (+20.5%). CONCLUSIONS: The current study on compensatory curves in congenital scoliosis confirms that anterior lengthening is part of the three-dimensional deformity in different types of scoliosis and is exclusively located in the intervertebral discs. The bony vertebral bodies maintain their kyphotic shape, which indicates that there is no active anterior bony overgrowth. Anterior lengthening appears to be a passive result of any scoliotic deformity, rather than being related to the specific cause of AIS.

Correction to: Bacteria: back pain, leg pain and Modic sign-a surgical multicenter comparative study.

Unfortunately, the 5th author name was incorrectly published in the original paper. The complete correct name is given below.

Bacteria: back pain, leg pain and Modic sign-a surgical multicentre comparative study.

PURPOSE: To compare bacterial findings in pain-generating degenerated discs in adults operated on for lumbar disc herniation (LDH), and mostly also suffering from low back pain (LBP), with findings in adolescent patients with non-degenerated non-pain-generating discs operated on for scoliosis, and to evaluate associations with Modic signs on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Cutibacterium acnes (Propionibacterium acnes) has been found in painful degenerated discs, why it has been suggested treating patients with LDH/LBP with antibiotics. As multidrug-resistant bacteria are a worldwide concern, new indications for using antibiotics should be based on solid scientific evidence. METHODS: Between 2015 and 2017, 40 adults with LDH/LBP (median age 43, IQR 33-49) and 20 control patients with scoliosis (median age 17, IQR 15-20) underwent surgery at seven Swedish hospitals. Samples were cultured from skin, surgical wound, discs and vertebrae. Genetic relatedness of C. acnes isolates was investigated using single-nucleotide polymorphism analysis. DNA samples collected from discs/vertebrae were analysed using 16S rRNA-based PCR sequencing. MRI findings were assessed for Modic changes. RESULTS: No bacterial growth was found in 6/40 (15%) LDH patients, compared with 3/20 (15%) scoliosis patients. Most positive samples in both groups were isolated from the skin and then from subcutis or deep within the wound. Of the four disc and vertebral samples from each of the 60 patients, 235/240 (98%) were DNA negative by bacterial PCR. A single species, C. acnes, was found exclusively in the disc/vertebra from one patient in each group. In the LDH group, 29/40 (72%) patients had at least one sample with growth of C. acnes, compared to 14/20 (70%) in the scoliosis group. Bacterial findings and Modic changes were not associated. CONCLUSIONS: Cutibacterium acnes found in discs and vertebrae during surgery for disc herniation in adults with degenerated discs may be caused by contamination, as findings in this group were similar to findings in a control group of young patients with scoliosis and non-degenerated discs. Furthermore, such findings were almost always combined with bacterial findings on the skin and/or in the wound. There was no association between preoperative Modic changes and bacterial findings. Antibiotic treatment of lumbar disc herniation with sciatica and/or low back pain, without signs of clinical discitis/spondylitis, should be seriously questioned. These slides can be retrieved under Electronic Supplementary Material.

Computed tomography lung volume estimation and its relation to lung capacities and spine deformation.

BACKGROUND: Scoliosis is a three-dimensional deformity which is believed to impact lung function, mechanics of respiratory muscles, lung compliance, etc. It is thus of interest to investigated the relationship between degree of scoliosis in terms of apex rotation or Cobb angle respectively and normalized vital capacity (VC). Furthermore it is interesting to study the possibility of estimating lung volumes (and indirectly lung function) using CT volumetric reconstruction. METHODS: The inclusion criteria were consecutive patients for whom surgery was planned and who underwent preoperative low-dose chest CT and preoperative spirometry/plethysmography. Lung capacities were normalized (based upon previous work involving the parameters gender, age, height and smoking). Preoperative CT-scans were used to measure apical rotation and scoliosis. We investigated the relationship between degree of scoliosis in terms of apex rotation or Cobb angle respectively and normalized VC from spirometry 63 patients who had a thoracic scoliosis curve (not necessarily as primary curve). We have tested a method for estimating normalized total lung capacity (TLC) from inspiratory chest CT of a group of 61 patients. RESULTS: The statistical level of significance used throughout the paper of 0.05. In the first part, we show that the group of 63 patients can, with respect to apical rotation or Cobb angle respectively, be divided into three subgroups in each case respectively, such that, pairwise, the mean of the normalized VC, for the group with higher apical rotation or Cobb angle respectively, is in some sense, at least 9% lower. We also give the result of the more simplistic analysis of subdividing into only two groups which give approximately 13% decrease for the group with higher spine deformation. A linear regression model seems inappropriate, due to the correlation coefficient for normalized VC versus apical rotation or Cobb angle respectively, being -0.53 (or in the case of Cobb angle -0.35). The correlation coefficient between apical rotation and Cobb angles, for the 63 patients, was 0.64. In the second part, the attempted linear regression model for describing the relation between lung volume estimation from inspiratory CT, and the normalized TLC from spirometry/plethysmography yields a correlation coefficient ≈0.71. CONCLUSIONS: In the first part, we show that there is a group subdivision with respect to apical rotation or Cobb angle respectively, whereby groups with a higher degree of thoracic vertebral deviation have, in some sense, a lower normalized VC. We propose that a linear regression model is inappropriate. In the second part, we propose that a linear regression model could describe the relationship between estimations of lung volume from inspiratory CT, and the normalized TLC from spirometry/plethysmography.

Patients With Idiopathic Scoliosis Run an Increased Risk of Schizophrenia.

STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective cohort study. OBJECTIVES: To investigate a possible linkage between idiopathic scoliosis (IS) and schizophrenia in an adolescent population. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: There is an interesting link between schizophrenia and idiopathic scoliosis: schizophrenia is a disturbance of mental equilibrium, and scoliosis of physical equilibrium, both are multifactorial, genetically determined, start at a young age, and brain development is thought to play a role. Furthermore, both may be presenting symptoms of the genetic disorder 22q11 deletion syndrome. This study poses the question whether these two poorly understood disorders are related. METHODS: A retrospective cohort study was conducted and consisted of 3,702 Swedish adolescents, collected from the National Patient Register, that underwent inpatient care for IS during 1997-2015. These were matched by age, sex, and date of diagnosis to 370,200 controls, collected from Swedish population data, and then followed up in the National Patient Register to identify in- and outpatient care for schizophrenia diagnosis. Follow-up time was calculated from first IS diagnosis date until date of schizophrenia diagnosis or end of follow-up. Cox proportional regression analysis was performed to estimate hazard ratios (HRs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for being diagnosed with schizophrenia. RESULTS: Over a median follow-up time of 9.5 years, 0.7% of patients with IS developed schizophrenia versus 0.5% of controls (p = .04). The risk of schizophrenia was significantly higher in patients with IS (HR, 1.52; 95% CI, 1.03-2.23). Using only hospitalized schizophrenia as event, the prevalence for schizophrenia was 0.5% versus 0.3% (p ≤.01; HR, 1.83; 95% CI, 1.17-2.84). CONCLUSION: This study suggests that patients with IS have increased risk of schizophrenia. Dissatisfaction with one's physical appearance might lead to psychological distress and provoke mental illness in predisposed persons. Alternatively, these two disorders may share a common genetic background. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level 2B.

Surgical Outcomes of Anterior Versus Posterior Fusion in Lenke Type 1 Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis.

STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective study. OBJECTIVE: To describe surgical results in two and three dimensions and patient-reported outcomes of scoliosis treatment for Lenke type 1 idiopathic curves with an open anterior or posterior approach. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: Different surgical techniques have been described to prevent curve progression and to restore spinal alignment in idiopathic scoliosis. The spine can be accessed via an anterior or a posterior approach. However, the surgical outcomes, especially in three dimensions, for different surgical approaches remain unclear. METHODS: Cohorts of Lenke curve type 1 idiopathic scoliosis patients, after anterior or posterior spinal fusion were recruited, to measure curve characteristics on conventional radiographs, before and after surgery and after 2 years follow-up, whereas the vertebral axial rotation, true mid-sagittal anterior-posterior height ratio of individual structures, and spinal height differences were measured on 3D reconstructions of the pre- and postoperative supine low-dose computed tomography (CT) scans. Additionally, the intraoperative parameters were described and the patients completed the Scoliosis Research Society outcomes and the 3-level version of EuroQol Group questionnaires postoperatively. RESULTS: Fifty-three patients with Lenke curve type 1 idiopathic scoliosis (26 in the anterior cohort and 27 in the posterior cohort) were analyzed. Fewer vertebrae were instrumented in the anterior cohort compared with the posterior cohort (P < 0.001), with less surgery time and lower intraoperative blood loss (P < 0.001). The Cobb angle correction of the primary thoracic curve directly after surgery was 57 ±â€Š12% in the anterior cohort and 73 ±â€Š12% in the posterior cohort (P < 0.001) and 55 ±â€Š13% and 66 ±â€Š12% (P = 0.001) at 2 years follow-up. Postoperative 3D alignment restoration and questionnaires showed no significant differences between the cohorts. CONCLUSION: This study suggests that Lenke type 1 curves can be effectively managed surgically with either an open anterior or posterior approach. Each approach, however, has specific advantages and challenges, as described in this study, which must be considered before treating each patient. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: 3.

Three-dimensional pelvic incidence is much higher in (thoraco)lumbar scoliosis than in controls.

PURPOSE: The pelvic incidence (PI) is used to describe the sagittal spino-pelvic alignment. In previous studies, radiographs were used, leading to less accuracy in establishing the three-dimensional (3D) spino-pelvic parameters. The purpose of this study is to analyze the differences in the 3D sagittal spino-pelvic alignment in adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) subjects and non-scoliotic controls. METHODS: Thirty-seven female AIS patients that underwent preoperative supine low-dose computed tomography imaging of the spine, hips and pelvis as part of their general workup were included and compared to 44 non-scoliotic age-matched female controls. A previously validated computerized method was used to measure the PI in 3D, as the angle between the line orthogonal to the inclination of the sacral endplate and the line connecting the center of the sacral endplate with the hip axis. RESULTS: The PI was on average 46.8° ± 12.4° in AIS patients and 41.3° ± 11.4° in controls (p = 0.025), with a higher PI in Lenke type 5 curves (50.6° ± 16.2°) as compared to controls (p = 0.042), whereas the Lenke type 1 curves (45.9° ± 12.2°) did not differ from controls (p = 0.141). CONCLUSION: Lenke type 5 curves show a significantly higher PI than controls, whereas the Lenke type 1 curves did not differ from controls. This suggests a role of pelvic morphology and spino-pelvic alignment in the pathogenesis of idiopathic scoliosis. Further longitudinal studies should explore the exact role of the PI in the initiation and progression of different AIS types. These slides can be retrieved under Electronic Supplementary Material.

Vertebral Axial Asymmetry in Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis.

STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective study. OBJECTIVES: To investigate parameters of axial vertebral deformation in patients with scoliosis compared to a control group, and to determine whether these parameters correlated with the severity of spine curvature, measured as the Cobb angle. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: Adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) is the most common type of spinal deformity. Many studies have investigated vertebral deformation, in terms of wedging and pedicle deformations, but few studies have investigated actual structural changes within vertebrae. METHODS: This study included 20 patients with AIS (Lenke 1-3, mean age: 15.6 years, range: 11-20). We compared preoperative low-dose computed tomography (CT) examinations of patients with AIS to those of a control group matched for age and sex. The control individuals had no spinal deformity, but they were admitted to the emergency department for trauma CTs. We measured the Cobb angles and the axial vertebral rotation (AVR), axial vertebral body asymmetry (AVBA), and frontal vertebral body rotation (FVBR) for the superior end, inferior end, and apical vertebrae, with in-house-developed software. Correlations between entities were investigated with the Pearson correlation test. RESULTS: The average Cobb angles were 49.3° and 1.3° for the scoliotic and control groups, respectively. The patient and control groups showed significant differences in the AVRs of all three vertebra levels (p < .01), the AVBAs of the superior end and apical vertebrae (p < .008), and the FVBR of the apical vertebra (p = .011). Correlations were only found between the AVBA and FVBR in the superior end vertebra (r = 0.728, p < .001) and in the apical vertebra (r = 0.713, p < .001). CONCLUSIONS: Compared with controls, patients with scoliosis showed clear morphologic differences in the midaxial plane vertebrae. Differences in AVR, AVBA, and FVBR were most pronounced at the apical vertebra. The FVBR provided valuable additional information about the internal rotation and deformation of vertebrae. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level III.

PREPARE: presurgery physiotherapy for patients with degenerative lumbar spine disorder: a randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND CONTEXT: Surgery because of disc herniation or spinal stenosis results mostly in large improvement in the short-term, but mild to moderate improvements for pain and disability at long-term follow-up. Prehabilitation has been defined as augmenting functional capacity before surgery, which may have beneficial effect on outcome after surgery. PURPOSE: The aim was to study if presurgery physiotherapy improves function, pain, and health in patients with degenerative lumbar spine disorder scheduled for surgery. STUDY DESIGN: A single-blinded, two-arm, randomized controlled trial (RCT). PATIENT SAMPLE: A total of 197 patients were consecutively included at a spine clinic. The inclusion criteria were patients scheduled for surgery because of disc herniation, spinal stenosis, spondylolisthesis, or degenerative disc disease (DDD), 25-80 years of age. OUTCOME MEASURES: Primary outcome was Oswestry Disability Index (ODI). Secondary outcomes were pain intensity, anxiety, depression, self-efficacy, fear avoidance, physical activity, and treatment effect. METHODS: Patients were randomized to either presurgery physiotherapy or standardized information, with follow-up after the presurgery intervention as well as 3 and 12 months post surgery. The study was funded by regional research funds for US$77,342. No conflict of interest is declared. RESULTS: The presurgery physiotherapy group had better ODI, visual analog scale (VAS) back pain, EuroQol-5D (EQ-5D), EQ-VAS, Fear Avoidance Belief Questionnaire-Physical Activity (FABQ-PA), Self-Efficacy Scale (SES), and Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) depression scores and activity level compared with the waiting-list group after the presurgery intervention. The improvements were small, but larger than the study-specific minimal clinical important change (MCIC) in VAS back and leg pain, EQ-5D, and FABQ-PA, and almost in line with MCIC in ODI and Physical Component Summary (PCS) in the physiotherapy group. Post surgery, the only difference between the groups was higher activity level in the physiotherapy group compared with the waiting-list group. CONCLUSIONS: Presurgery physiotherapy decreases pain, risk of avoidance behavior, and worsening of psychological well-being, and improves quality of life and physical activity levels before surgery compared with waiting-list controls. These results were maintained only for activity levelspost surgery. Still, presurgery selection, content, dosage of exercises, and importance of being active in a presurgery physiotherapy intervention is of interest to study further to improve long-term outcome.

Defining a core outcome set for adolescent and young adult patients with a spinal deformity.

Background and purpose - Routine outcome measurement has been shown to improve performance in several fields of healthcare. National spine surgery registries have been initiated in 5 Nordic countries. However, there is no agreement on which outcomes are essential to measure for adolescent and young adult patients with a spinal deformity. The aim of this study was to develop a core outcome set (COS) that will facilitate benchmarking within and between the 5 countries of the Nordic Spinal Deformity Society (NSDS) and other registries worldwide. Material and methods - From August 2015 to September 2016, 7 representatives (panelists) of the national spinal surgery registries from each of the NSDS countries participated in a modified Delphi study. With a systematic literature review as a basis and the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health framework as guidance, 4 consensus rounds were held. Consensus was defined as agreement between at least 5 of the 7 representatives. Data were analyzed qualitatively and quantitatively. Results - Consensus was reached on the inclusion of 13 core outcome domains: "satisfaction with overall outcome of surgery", "satisfaction with cosmetic result of surgery", "pain interference", physical functioning", "health-related quality of life", "recreation and leisure", "pulmonary fatigue", "change in deformity", "self-image", "pain intensity", "physical function", "complications", and "re-operation". Panelists agreed that the SRS-22r, EQ-5D, and a pulmonary fatigue questionnaire (yet to be developed) are the most appropriate set of patient-reported measurement instruments that cover these outcome domains. Interpretation - We have identified a COS for a large subgroup of spinal deformity patients for implementation and validation in the NSDS countries. This is the first study to further develop a COS in a global perspective.

Altered somatosensory profile according to quantitative sensory testing in patients with degenerative lumbar spine disorders scheduled for surgery.

BACKGROUND: Somatosensory profiling in affected and non-affected body regions can strengthen our insight regarding the underlying pain mechanisms, which can be valuable in treatment decision making and to improve outcomes, in patients with degenerative lumbar spine disorders pre-surgery. The aim was to describe somatosensory profiles in patients with degenerative lumbar spine disorders, to identify the proportion with altered somatosensory profile, and to analyze demographic characteristics, self-reported function, pain, and health pre- and 3 months post-surgery. METHODS: In this prospective cohort study in a Spine Clinic, 105 patients scheduled for surgery for spinal stenosis, disc herniation, degenerative disc disease, or spondylolisthesis were consecutively recruited. Exclusion criteria were; indication for acute surgery or previous surgery at the same spinal level or severe grade of pathology. Quantitative sensory testing (QST) and self-reported function, pain, and health was measured pre- and 3 months post-surgery. The somatosensory profile included cold detection threshold, warmth detection threshold, cold pain threshold, heat pain threshold and pressure pain threshold in affected and non-affected body regions. RESULTS: On a group level, the patients' somatosensory profiles were within the 95% confidence interval (CI) from normative reference data means. On an individual level, an altered somatosensory profile was defined as having two or more body regions (including a non-affected region) with QST values outside of normal ranges for reference data. The 23 patients (22%) with altered somatosensory profiles, with mostly loss of function, were older (P = 0.031), more often female (P = 0.005), had higher back and leg pain (P = 0.016, 0.020), lower mental health component summary score (SF-36 MCS) (P = 0.004) and larger pain distribution (P = 0.047), compared to others in the cohort. Post-surgery there was a tendency to worse pain, function and health in the group with altered somatosensory profile pre-surgery. CONCLUSIONS: On a group level, patients with degenerative lumbar spine disorders scheduled for surgery were within normal range for the QST measurements compared to reference values. On an individual level, an altered somatosensory profile outside of normal range in both affected and non-affected body regions occurred in 22% of patients, which may indicate disturbed somatosensory function. Those patients had mostly loss of sensory function and had worse self-reported outcome pre-surgery, compared to the rest of the cohort. Future prospective studies are needed to further examine whether these dimensions can be useful in predicting post-surgery outcome and guide need of additional treatments.

Association between pain sensitivity in the hand and outcomes after surgery in patients with lumbar disc herniation or spinal stenosis.

PURPOSE: To investigate the association between pain sensitivity in the hand pre-surgery, and patient-reported outcomes (PROs) in function, pain and health pre- and post-surgery in patients with disc herniation or spinal stenosis. METHODS: This is a prospective cohort study with 82 patients. Associations between pressure-, cold- and heat pain threshold (PPT, CPT, HPT) in the hand pre-surgery and Oswestry, VAS pain, EQ-5D, HADS, and Self-Efficacy Scale, pre- and three months post-surgery; were investigated with linear regression. RESULTS: Patients with disc herniation more sensitive to pressure pain pre-surgery showed lower function and self-efficacy, and higher anxiety and depression pre-surgery, and lower function, and self-efficacy, and higher pain post-surgery. Results for cold pain were similar. In patients with spinal stenosis few associations with PROs were found and none for HPT and PROs. CONCLUSIONS: Altered pain response in pressure- and cold pain in the hand, as a sign of widespread pain pre-surgery had associations with higher pain, lower function and self-efficacy post-surgery in patients with disc herniation.

Anterior Spinal Overgrowth Is the Result of the Scoliotic Mechanism and Is Located in the Disc.

STUDY DESIGN: Cross-sectional study. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the presence and magnitude of anterior spinal overgrowth in neuromuscular scoliosis and compare this with the same measurements in idiopathic scoliosis and healthy spines. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: Anterior spinal overgrowth has been described as a potential driver for the onset and progression of adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS). Whether this anterior overgrowth is specific for AIS or also present in nonidiopathic scoliosis has not been reported. METHODS: Supine computed tomography (CT) scans of thirty AIS patients (thoracic Cobb 21-81°), thirty neuromuscular (NM) scoliotic patients (thoracic Cobb 19-101°) and 30 nonscoliotic controls were used. The difference in length in per cents between the anterior and posterior side {[(ΔA-P)/P]*100%, abbreviated to A-P%} of each vertebral body and intervertebral disc, and between the anterior side of the spine and the spinal canal (A-C%) were determined. RESULTS: The A-P% of the thoracic curves did not differ between the AIS (+1.2 ±â€Š2.2%) and NM patients (+0.9 ±â€Š4.1%, P = 0.663), both did differ, however, from the same measurements in controls (-3.0 ±â€Š1.6%; P < 0.001) and correlated linearly with the Cobb angle (AIS r = 0.678, NM r = 0.687). Additional anterior length was caused by anterior elongation of the discs (AIS: A-P% disc +17.5 ±â€Š12.7% vs. A-P% body -2.5 ±â€Š2.6%; P < 0.001, NM: A-P% disc +19.1 ±â€Š18.0% vs. A-P% body -3.5 ±â€Š5.1%; P < 0.001). The A-C% T1-S1 in AIS and NM patients were similar (+7.9 ±â€Š1.8% and +8.7 ±â€Š4.0%, P = 0.273), but differed from the controls (+4.2 ±â€Š3.3%; P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: So called anterior overgrowth has been postulated as a possible cause for idiopathic scoliosis, but apparently it occurs in scoliosis with a known origin as well. This suggests that it is part of a more generalized scoliotic mechanism, rather than its cause. The fact that the intervertebral discs contribute more to this increased anterior length than the vertebral bodies suggests an adaptation to altered loading, rather than a primary growth disturbance. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: 4.

PREPARE: Pre-surgery physiotherapy for patients with degenerative lumbar spine disorder: a randomized controlled trial protocol.

BACKGROUND: Current guidelines for the management of patients with specific low back pain pathology suggest non-surgical intervention as first-line treatment, but there is insufficient evidence to make recommendations of the content in the non-surgical intervention. Opinions regarding the dose of non-surgical intervention that should be trialled prior to decision making about surgery intervention vary. The aim of the present study is to investigate if physiotherapy administrated before surgery improves function, pain and health in patients with degenerative lumbar spine disorder scheduled for surgery. The patients are followed over two years. A secondary aim is to study what factors predict short and long term outcomes. METHODS: This study is a single blinded, 2-arm, randomized controlled trial with follow-up after the completion of pre-surgery intervention as well as 3, 12 and 24 months post-surgery. The study will recruit men and women, 25 to 80 years of age, scheduled for surgery due to; disc herniation, spinal stenosis, spondylolisthesis or degenerative disc disease. A total of 202 patients will be randomly allocated to a pre-surgery physiotherapy intervention or a waiting list group for 9 weeks. The waiting-list group will receive standardized information about surgery, post-surgical rehabilitation and advice to stay active. The pre-surgery physiotherapy group will receive physiotherapy 2 times per week, consisting of a stratified classification treatment, based on assessment findings. One of the following treatments will be selected; a) Specific exercises and mobilization, b) Motor control exercises or c) Traction. The pre-surgery physiotherapy group will also be prescribed a tailor-made general supervised exercise program. The physiotherapist will use a behavioral approach aimed at reducing patient fear avoidance and increasing activity levels. They will also receive standardized information about surgery, post-surgical rehabilitation and advice to stay active. Primary outcome measure is Oswestry Disability Index. Secondary outcome measures are the visual analogue scale for back and leg pain, pain drawing, health related quality of life, Hospital anxiety and depression scale, Fear avoidance beliefs questionnaire, Self-efficacy scale and Work Ability Index. DISCUSSION: The study findings will help improve the treatment of patients with degenerative lumbar spine disorder scheduled for surgery. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov reference: NCT02454400 (Trial registration date: August 31st 2015) and has been registered on ClinicalTrials.gov, identifier: NCT02454400 .