Spinal osteotomies: indications, limits and pitfalls.

The aims of spinal deformity surgery are to achieve balance, relieve pain and prevent recurrence or worsening of the deformity.The main types of osteotomies are the Smith-Petersen osteotomy (SPO), pedicle subtraction osteotomy (PSO), bone-disc-bone osteotomy (BDBO) and vertebral column resection (VCR), in order of increasing complexity.SPO is a posterior column osteotomy in which the posterior ligaments and the facet joints are removed and correction is performed through the disc space. A mobile anterior disc is essential. SPO is best in patients with +6-8 cm C7 plumbline. The amount of correction is 9.3° to 10.7°/level (1°/mm bone).PSO is a technique where the posterior elements and pedicles are removed. Then a triangular wedge through the pedicles is removed and the posterior spine is shortened using the anterior cortex as a hinge. The ideal candidates are patients with a severe sagittal imbalance. A single level osteotomy can produce 30° 40° of correction. A single level osteotomy may restore global sagittal balance by an average of 9 cm with an upper limit of 19 cm.BDBO is an osteotomy done above and below a disc level. A BDBO provides correction rates in the range of 35° to 60°. The main indications are deformities with the disc space as the apex and severe sagittal plane deformities.VCR is indicated for rigid multi-planar deformities, sharp angulated deformities, hemivertebra resections, resectable spinal tumours, post-traumatic deformities and spondyloptosis. The main indication for a VCR is fixed coronal plane deformity.The type of osteotomy must be chosen mainly according to the aetiology, type and apex of the deformity. One may start with SPOs and may gradually advance to complex osteotomies. Cite this article: EFORT Open Rev 2017;2:73-82. DOI: 10.1302/2058-5241.2.160069.

The mechanisms of medial pedicle wall violation: insertion method is as important as correct cannulation of the pedicle.

A cadaver study aims to determine the mechanisms of medial pedicle wall violation after a correct cannulation of the pedicle. The study presents finding out the effect of insertion angle and insertion force on medial wall violation. We used 100 lumbar pedicles of cadavers. Special wooden blocks were produced to simulate a fixed angle fault after a correct pedicle cannulation. Pedicles were divided into 4 groups: 10-degree free drive (group 10), 15-degree free drive (group 15), 10-degree push drive (group 10P), and 15-degree push drive (group 15P). After insertion of pedicle screws, laminectomies were done and the pedicles were evaluated from the inside. Pedicle complications were more in group 10P than group 10 (P = 0.009). Medial wall fracture (P = 0.002) and canal penetration were more in group 15P than group 15 (P = 0.001). Groups 10P and 15P were similar regarding medial wall fractures but canal penetration was significantly higher in group 15P (P = 0.001). Medial wall breaches can happen after correct cannulation of pedicles. Change in insertion angle is one factor but the most important factor is the use of a pushing force while inserting a screw. The pedicle seems to be extremely tolerant to insertion angulation mistakes up to 10 degrees and tends to lead the screw into the correct path spontaneously.

Can hyperbaric oxygen be used to prevent deep infections in neuro-muscular scoliosis surgery?

BACKGROUND: The prevalence of postoperative wound infection in patients with neuromuscular scoliosis surgery is significantly higher than that in patients with other spinal surgery. Hyperbaric oxygen has been used as a supplement to treat postsurgical infections. Our aim was to determine beneficiary effects of hyperbaric oxygen treatment in terms of prevention of postoperative deep infection in this specific group of patients in a retrospective study. METHODS: Forty two neuromuscular scoliosis cases, operated between 2006-2011 were retrospectively reviewed. Patients who had presence of scoliosis and/or kyphosis in addition to cerebral palsy or myelomeningocele, postoperative follow-up >1 year and posterior only surgery were the subjects of this study. Eighteen patients formed the Hyperbaric oxygen prophylaxis (P-HBO) group and 24, the control group. The P-HBO group received 30 sessions of HBO and standard antibiotic prophylaxis postoperative, and the control group (received standard antibiotic prophylaxis). RESULTS: In the P-HBO group of 18 patients, the etiology was cerebral palsy in 13 and myelomeningocele in 5 cases with a mean age of 16.7 (11-27 yrs). The average follow-up was 20.4 months (12-36mo). The etiology of patients in the control group was cerebral palsy in 17, and myelomeningocele in 7 cases. The average age was 15.3 years (8-32 yrs). The average follow-up was 38.7 months (18-66mo). The overall incidence of infection in the whole study group was 11.9% (5/42). The infection rate in the P-HBO and the control group were 5.5% (1/18), and 16.6% (4/24) respectively. The use of HBO was found to significantly decrease the incidence of postoperative infections in neuromuscular scoliosis patients. CONCLUSION: In this study we found that hyperbaric oxygen has a possibility to reduce the rate of post-surgical deep infections in complex spine deformity in high risk neuromuscular patients.

C7-T1 anterior closing wedge bone-disc-bone osteotomy for the treatment of cervical hyperlordosis in muscular dystrophy: a new technique for correction of a rare deformity.

STUDY DESIGN: A new surgical technique of cervical closing wedge osteotomy to correct an extension deformity of the cervical spine in patients with muscular dystrophy presenting clinically with debilitating hyperlordosis is described, and 3 cases are reported. OBJECTIVE: To describe a new surgical technique with emphasis on the clinical results and the effect of osteotomy on sagittal balance, gaze angle, and spinopelvic parameters. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: Previous reports of cervical osteotomy essentially have described opening wedge (extension osteotomy) for correction of severe flexion deformities. To the authors' knowledge, C7-T1 closing wedge osteotomy to correct hyperextension deformity due to muscular dystrophy in the cervical spine has not been described previously. METHODS: Three male patients aged 16, 16, and 21 years presented with cervical hyperlordosis due to Becker muscular dystrophy. There was upward deviation of forward gaze in all patients. Anterior closing wedge (bone-disc-bone) osteotomy of C7-T1 was performed followed with a posterior release correction and instrumented stabilization. The chin-brow angle was visualized with the aid of fluoroscopy during the operation. After closure and posterior fixation, patient was turned supine again and the osteotomy site was grafted and fixed with a plate to further strengthen the construct and to prevent any translation. RESULTS: The gaze angles and both sitting and standing postures of the patients markedly improved. There was documented fusion at the osteotomy sites. The patients were free of complaints at the last follow-up. CONCLUSION: Bone-disc-bone closing wedge osteotomy done at C7-T1 level is a technically demanding procedure but results in significant acute clinical and radiological improvement in patients with hyperextension deformity of the cervical spine. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: 4.

Protruded and nonprotruded subungual exostosis: Differences in surgical approach.

BACKGROUND: In subungual exostosis surgery, repair of the damaged nail bed and surgical excision of the mass without damaging the nail bed is important. The ideal method of surgery is still unclear. This study is done to qualify the effects of different surgical methods on outcome measures in different types of subungual exostosis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Fifteen patients, operated with a diagnosis of subungual exostosis between January 2008 and June 2012, were evaluated. Protruded masses were excised with a dorsal surgical approach after the removal of the nail bed and nonprotruded masses were excised through a"fish-mouth" type of incision. RESULTS: The mean age of the patients in protruded subungual exostosis group was 17.3 years (range 13-22 years) and this group consisting of seven female and two male patients. The patients were followed up for a mean of 14.1 ± 4.8 months. The mean age of the patients in the nonprotruded subungual exostosis group was 14.6 years (range 13-16 years) and consisting of six female patients. The patients were followed up for a mean of 11.6 ± 2.9 months. The results were positively affected by changing the surgical approach depending on whether or not the exostosis is protruded from the nail bed. All patients had healthy toe nails in the postoperative period without any signs of recurrence. CONCLUSIONS: In patients with a protruded subungual exostosis, the mass should be removed by a dorsal approach with the removal of the nail and injury to the nail bed should be repaired. In patients with a nonprotruded subungual exostosis, the mass should be excised through a "fish-mouth" type incision at the toe tip without an iatrogenic damage.

Isolated dorsal approach for the treatment of neglected volar metacarpophalangeal joint dislocations.

Here, we present the clinical and radiological results of three neglected volar metacarpophalangeal dislocations in 2 patients, which were treated with open reductions 10 and 24 mo after the dislocations. There was a mean of a 20° (range 10°-30°) limitation of extension and a 53.3° (range 30°-70°) limitation of flexion preoperatively. Postoperatively, there was no limitation of extension (at 8 and 12 mo) in any of the fingers. In terms of flexion, one finger had full function, one had a 10° and the last one had a 30° limitation of flexion. Two of the fingers presented anesthesia preoperatively, which improved to hypesthesia postoperatively. One finger had hypesthesia, which improved postoperatively. During surgery, a ruptured dorsal capsule was found to have interposed into the joint, making closed reduction impossible. Our experience with these two patients demonstrated that, even in neglected cases, open reduction using an isolated dorsal approach may result in satisfactory clinical and radiological outcomes.

Axial plane analysis of Lenke 1A adolescent idiopathic scoliosis as an aid to identify curve characteristics.

BACKGROUND CONTEXT: Adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) is a complex three-dimensional (3D) deformity of the spine involving deviations in the frontal plane, modifications of the sagittal profile, and rotations in the transverse plane. Although Lenke classification system is based on 2D radiographs and includes sagittal thoracic and coronal lumbar modifiers, Lenke et al. suggested inclusion of axial thoracic and lumbar modifiers in the analysis. PURPOSE: To analyze axial plane of Lenke 1A curves to identify curve characteristics. STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective study. PATIENT SAMPLE: Seventy patients (49 women, 21 men) with Lenke Type 1A idiopathic scoliosis were analyzed. OUTCOME MEASURES: Coronal, sagittal, and axial parameters were measured from plain radiographs that were obtained at initial medical examination of the patients. METHODS: Coronal and sagittal plane and whole spine segmental vertebra rotations from thoracic 1 to lumbar 5 were evaluated in 70 AIS patients with Lenke 1A curves by using Drerup method. Three different subgroups were identified according to magnitude and direction of lower end vertebra (LEV) rotation. RESULTS: In Group 1 (Lenke 1A1), the direction of LEV rotation was same with other vertebrae in the main curve and the magnitude of the LEV rotation was less than -0.5°. In Group 2 (Lenke 1A2), the rotation of LEV was between -0.5° and 0.5° and so was accepted as neutral. In Group 3 (Lenke 1A3), the rotation of LEV had opposite direction with vertebrae in the main curve and the magnitude of LEV rotation was more than 0.5°. The mean thoracic Cobb angle of patients with Lenke 1A idiopathic scoliosis was 51.1° (range 37°-80°), whereas the mean lumbar Cobb angle was 16.4° (range 0°-32°). The mean angle of trunk rotation of the patients was 5.7° (range 1°-16°). In terms of maximum thoracic vertebra rotation, the mean rotation angle of Lenke 1A idiopathic curves was -18.9° (range -(9.8°-44.7°)). The mean maximum lumbar vertebra rotation was 4.5° (range -7.2° to 15.1°). CONCLUSIONS: Addition of axial plane analysis to conventional coronal and sagittal evaluations in patients with Lenke 1A curves may reveal inherent structural differences that are not apparent in single planar radiographic assessments and may necessitate a different surgical strategy.

The effects of diabetes on symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome treated with mini-open surgery.

This study aimed to evaluate the influence of type II diabetes mellitus (DM) on the postoperative outcomes of mini-open carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) surgery. A total of 99 hands in 74 patients were included in the study. Of these, 36 patients (54 hands) had type II DM (Group A), and 38 patients (45 hands) had idiopathic CTS (Group B). Mini-open carpal tunnel release surgery was performed on all the hands. The night pain, weakness, paraesthesia, numbness complaints were significantly improved in both groups after surgery. However, thenar atrophy was improved significantly only in group A. Night pain, weakness, paraesthesia, numbness, and pillar pain were significantly worse in Group A than in Group B on postoperative examination. Postoperatively, Tinnel and Phalen tests were positive in 32 hands in Group A and 6 hands in Group B. Persistence of symptoms in diabetic patients was found to be more prevalent compared to non-diabetic controls after mini-open carpal tunnel release.

Convex short segment instrumentation and hemi-chevron osteotomies for Putti type 1 thoracic hemivertebrae: a simple treatment option for patients under 5 years old.

STUDY DESIGN: A case series depicting the results of a novel surgical technique. OBJECTIVE: To prove that a minimally invasive surgical technique can effectively control and even correct congenital scoliosis caused by a fully segmented hemivertebra. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: Congenital hemivertebrae have been treated by anterior and posterior growth arrest with/without fusion, anterior and posterior hemivertebrectomy, transpedicular hemivertebra excision, and transpedicular hemiepiphysiodesis. These approaches are complex and require experience. There is a need for a simple treatment method to treat these deformities. METHODS: Twelve patients under 5 years of age with Putti type1 hemivertebrae were treated by posterior convex short segment instrumentation, partial chevron osteotomies, and fusion. Scoliosis, segmental scoliosis, kyphosis, segmental kyphosis, trunk shift were measured both preoperatively and postoperatively. RESULTS: The mean correction of the segmental curve was 6 degrees (21%) which was maintained at the latest follow-up. The average final correction of the main curve was 23%. The trunk shift was 1.8 cm (range, 1-3 cm) preoperative and 1.4 cm (range, 0-2.5 cm) at the latest follow-up. The segmental angle of kyphosis averaged 11 degrees (range, -12 to 20 degrees) preoperative, and 14 degrees (range, 0-29 degrees) at the latest follow-up assessment. The values of the total thoracic kyphosis (T2-T12) were 29.5 degrees (range, 10-46 degrees) preoperative, 31 degrees (range, 10-44 degrees) postoperative, and 32 degrees (range, 16-45 degrees) at the last follow-up resulting in a mean improvement of 2 degrees. This improvement continued at the latest follow-up with a mean increase of 3 degrees. CONCLUSIONS: Transpedicular instrumentation is ideal for early correction in young children. The new posterior approach is much less invasive than the combined approaches or other posterior vertebrectomies and is well tolerated even in very young patients. The fusion segment is kept short. The deformities seem to stop progressing and this can avoid development of severe local deformities and secondary curves.

Kyphectomy for congenital kyphosis due to meningomyelocele: a case treated with a modified approach to skin healing.

This study is a case report of a meningomyelocele patient with congenital kyphosis who was treated with kyphectomy and a special approach to soft tissue healing. The objective of this study is to show a step by step approach to surgical treatment and postoperative care of a meningomyelocele patient with congenital kyphosis. In meningomyelocele the incidence of kyphosis is around 12-20%. It may cause recurrent skin ulcerations, impaired sitting balance and respiratory compromise. Kyphectomy has first been described by Sharrard. This surgery is prone to complications including pseudoarthrosis, skin healing problems, recurrence of deformity and deep infections. A 15-year-old male presented with congenital kyphosis due to meningomyelocele. He had back pain, deformity and bedsores at the apex of the deformity. The wound cultures showed Staphylococcus epidermidis colonisation at the apex. He was given appropriate antibiotic prophylaxis. During surgery, the apex of the deformity was exposed through a spindle-shaped incision. After instrumentation and excision of the apex, correction was carried out by cantilever technique. Two screws were inserted to the bodies of L3 and T11. After the operation, the skin was closed in a reverse cross fashion. He was sent to hyperbaric oxygen treatment for prevention of a subsequent skin infection and for rapid healing of skin flaps post operation. The patient's deformity was corrected from a preoperative Cobb angle of 135°-15° postoperative. The skin healed without any problems. Preoperative culture and appropriate antibiotic prophylaxis, spindle-shaped incision, reverse cross-skin closure and postoperative hyperbaric oxygen treatment can be useful adjuncts to treatment in congenital kyphosis patients with myelomeningocele to prevent postoperative wound healing and infection problems. Reduction screws and intracorporeal compression screws help to reduce the amount of screws and aid in corection of the deformity.

The comparison of the effects of intraoperative bleeding control and postoperative drain clamping methods on the postoperative blood loss and the need for transfusion following total knee arthroplasty.

OBJECTIVE: We aimed to determine and compare the effects of intraoperative bleeding control and two hours postoperative drain clamping method on postoperative wound drainage and the need for donor blood transfusion following total knee arthroplasty (TKA). METHODS: Seventy-one patients who underwent TKA were randomly assigned into two groups. Fourty-four knees of 32 patients comprised Group A and 51 knees of 39 patients comprised Group B. In Group A, no bleeding control was done and postoperatively, the drain was clamped for 2 hours. Then it was unclamped to begin aspiration after the 2nd hour. In Group B, the bleeding was controlled intraoperatively, and the drain was not clamped after the surgery. Drains were removed 48 hours after the surgery in both groups. Bilateral and unilateral arthroplasty patients were evaluated separately. The groups were compared for their preoperative and postoperative 3-day haemoglobin (Hb) levels, total drainage amount and total number of blood transfusions. RESULTS: The haemoglobin levels were similar in both groups preoperatively and at the 1st, 2nd and 3rd postoperative days. In Group A, the wound drainage was 696.1±235.4 ml in unilateral TKA patients and was 1010.8±535.5 ml in bilateral arthroplasty patients. In Group B, the wound drainage was 710.1±380.1 ml in unilateral TKA patients and was 878.3±489.6 ml in bilateral arthroplasty patients. The mean number of transfusions was 1.41 units with no significant differences between the groups. CONCLUSION: The two hour drain clamping method without intraoperative bleeding control does not seem to affect the amount of blood loss and the need for transfusion when compared to intraoperative bleeding control in total knee arthroplasty patients. Hovewer, it is a simple and feasible method and can be used to decrease the operation time.

[Healing of osteochondral defects in canine knee with avocado/soybean unsaponifiables: a morphometric comparative analysis]. / Avokado/soya fasülyesinin sabunlasmayan ekstresi verilen köpeklerin dizlerinde osteokondral defekt iyilesmesi: Bir karsilastirmali morfometrik analiz.

OBJECTIVES: This study aims to determine the effects of avocado/soybean unsaponifiables (ASU) on healing in a canine osteochondral defect model. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Fourteen dogs were included in the study and randomly divided into two groups. Two osteochondral defects were produced in the lateral aspect of the trochlear groove of the knee joint. The treatment group (group 1; n=7) was given 300 mg ASU capsules every three days whereas the control group (group 2; n=7) was given a normal diet. Animals were then allowed to ambulate normally until euthanasia at 15 weeks. The knees were dissected and the trochlear grooves with defects were removed for pathological examination. The amount of regenerated tissue was determined quantitatively using image analysis and the tissue content was evaluated semi-quantitatively using Safranin-O and Masson trichrome histochemical stains. Transforming growth factor beta (TGF-beta) increase was evaluated semi-quantitatively with immunohistochemical staining methods. RESULTS: Morphometric analysis revealed a significantly more immature repair tissue in group 1 (p<0.002). Both collagen and chondral tissue content of the regenerated tissue were significantly increased in group 1 (p<0.002). Compared to that in group 2, cartilage tissue in group 1 showed a much more marked immunostaining reaction of TGF-beta. CONCLUSION: Avocado/soybean unsaponifiables treatment stimulates the healing of the osteochondral defects in canine knee possibly by increasing TGF-beta in the tissues.

Easy retrieval of polyaxial tulip-head pedicle screws by "U" rod technique.

The number of fusion surgeries increase each year which also increase the need for implant removal. In some cases, it can be extremely hard to remove a pedicle screw especially when there is a mismatch of the screw and the screwdriver. Also the screwdrivers can be contaminated during the operation, and this will cause a delay till the instruments are re-sterilized. There is a need for the removal of screws without special instruments. We describe a method for removing tulip-head polyaxial pedicle screws without special instruments. The screws are removed using an Allen key, a rod bender and a "U" shaped rod. We successfully removed 76 screws in 11 recent cases without any complications. The "U" rod technique is a simple and useful technique for the removal of tulip-head polyaxial screws.

Bilateral post-injection fibrosis of the gluteal region mimicking lumbar disc herniation: a case report.

Tissue fibrosis is a known complication of intramuscular injections, which is especially seen in children due to vaccinations and injections. Herein we report a case of post injection gluteal fibrosis that had undergone two unsuccessful lumbar discectomies to treat the symptoms of this disease.A 45 years old male patient was consulted to our clinic from the department of neurochirurgy with complaints of bilateral hip pain. The patient was operated on for lumbar disc herniation in L4-5 level twice but his complaints had not resolved. A third operation including L4-5 instrumentation and fusion was planned. His examination revealed nodules in his both hips. His x-rays, MRI and blood tests were normal. He underwent bilateral gluteal fascia excision and his complaints resolved totally.The clinical diagnosis of post-injection fibrosis is problematic, due to the difficulty of determining the etiology. In many patients the diagnosis comes from a history of injection. Pain in the gluteal region is not a frequently described clinical feature of this condition. Many reports in the literature emphasize a contracture rather than pain.Post-injection fibrosis in the gluteal region may mimic lumbar disc herniation and a detailed physical examination is the key for correct differential diagnosis. In refractory cases not responding to conservative treatment, surgical excision of the nodules may lead to a complete clinical recovery of the patient.

Talonavicular joint approach to the talar body: a cadaver study.

BACKGROUND: Lesions of the talar dome or tumors within the talar body may require an open approach with medial or lateral malleolar osteotomies. The aim of this study was to evaluate the possibility and feasibility of a new minimally invasive approach without osteotomy, using the talonavicular joint (TJ) as the entry portal for lesions of the talar body. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Nine cadaveric feet were used for this study. Using the TJ and a 5-mm skin incision we aimed to reach the superolateral, superomedial, inferolateral and inferomedial corners of the talar body under fluoroscopy. A 2-mm Kirshner wire and a 4-mm cannulated drill bit were used to reach the desired target area and an angled curette was used for curettage after reaching the target. The proximity of vascular structures to the entry portal was noted. The talar and navicular joint surfaces were checked for any damage. The articular areas of the talar heads and the defect areas were measured. RESULTS: All 4 targets and even the posterior talus could be reached by this approach. The nearest neurovascular structures were the saphenous vein and the saphenous nerve. The navicular cartilage was not damaged in any specimen. The talar defect area corresponded to only 3.3% of the talar head cartilaginous area. CONCLUSION: The TJ approach can be used to reach lesions in all regions of the talar body without the need for an osteotomy. A mini-incision may be used to retract the saphenous nerve and vein. Damage to the talar head cartilage is minimal with this approach which requires no special equipments. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: This study shows that talar dome lesions can be reached with a minimally invasive method.

Mini-open versus all-arthroscopic rotator cuff repair: comparison of the operative costs and the clinical outcomes.

INTRODUCTION: Rotator cuff injury is one of the most frequently encountered problems of the shoulder in the daily practice of orthopaedic surgeons. This study compared all-arthroscopic cuff repair (ARCR) and mini-open rotator cuff repair (MORCR) methods in regard to clinical outcomes and costs. METHODS: Fifty patient charts and operative repairs were analysed (25 ARCR and 25 MORCR). Pre-and postoperative Constant-Murley and UCLA scores along with factors such as tear size, tear type, pre-operative physical therapy, motion and satisfaction levels were compared for the two procedures. Cost-benefit analysis was also performed for comparison between procedures. The duration of follow-up was 31.20 and 21.56 months for MORCR and ARCR groups, respectively. RESULTS: Tear sizes (P=0.68), pre-and postoperative Constant-Murley and UCLA scores (P=0.254) and satisfaction levels were not significantly different between groups. However, the differences between pre-and postoperative Constant-Murley and UCLA scores were statistically significant within both groups (P<0.01). The MORCR group stayed 1 day longer in hospital than the ARCR group, which was statistically significant (P=0.036). The differences regarding mean pain scores, abductions, internal and external rotations in Constant-Murley scores and forward flexion scores in UCLA scores were not significant. The ARCR group cost more, leaving less profit. CONCLUSION: Results suggest that ARCR yields similar clinical results but at a higher cost compared with MORCR.

Isolated intrauterine femoral fracture in an otherwise normal fetus.

Multiple fractures of the long bones can be seen in the intrauterine period as a result of disorders such as skeletal dysplasias or maternal trauma, but isolated intrauterine femoral fracture is an extremely rare condition. Congenital short femur should be kept in mind, especially during the intrauterine period in the differential diagnosis. We report a case diagnosed as isolated femoral fracture in the 34th gestational week with post-partum confirmation of the diagnosis by X-rays and physical examination.

[The prevalence of low back pain and risk factors among adult population in Afyon region, Turkey]. / Afyonkarahisar ilinde eriskinlerde bel agrisi sikligi ve etkileyen faktörler.

OBJECTIVES: This study was designed to determine the prevalence of and risk factors for low back pain (LBP) in a sample of Turkish population among adults living in the Afyon region, Turkey. METHODS: A field screening investigation was performed in a total of 75 areas including the city center, 18 districts, and 57 associated small municipalities. Adequate sample size was determined as 1,990 and a total of 2,035 individuals (1,194 females, 841 males) were enrolled. Participants were inquired about age, occupation, sex, height, weight, history of LBP, hypertension, diabetes, and smoking. Depression symptoms were evaluated using the Symptom Checklist-90-Revised. RESULTS: The prevalence of lifetime LBP was 51%, and the prevalence of chronic LBP was 13.1%. Overall, 63.2% of women and 33.8% of men had LBP at least once in their lives (p=0.001). With regard to occupation, the highest incidence of LBP was seen in housewives (64.2%; p=0.0001), whose age and body mass index (BMI) were also higher compared to employed women. Depression (p=0.016) and increased BMI (p=0.000) were found to increase the risk for LBP, whereas smoking, hypertension, or diabetes were not correlated with the prevalence of LBP. Poverty was found to be the leading cause (39.7%) for not presenting to a physician. CONCLUSION: Among risk factors reported for LBP, many are also effective in Turkish population. Special attention should be given to the education of housewives in terms of low back protection, healthy nutrition, and family planning. Poverty seems to be a significant barrier to patient presentation to physicians, requiring extended social security coverage.

Clinical results versus subjective improvement with anterior transposition in cubital tunnel syndrome.

This study was conducted to compare the results of anterior transposition methods and to determine the time needed to attain subjective well-being in patients with cubital tunnel syndrome. A total of 49 cases were retrospectively evaluated. Patients were called for follow-up, completed a questionnaire, and were reexamined. They were assigned to one of 3 groups: subcutaneous transposition (SCT), submuscular transposition (SMT), or intramuscular transposition (IMT). The McGowan classification and Wilson-Krout criteria were used for classification and outcomes assessments. Categorical variables were analyzed with the chi2 test, and metric variables by analysis of variance or through Kruskal-Wallis variance analysis. Improvement of at least 1 McGowan grade was observed in 87.63% of patients. The least responsive group was assigned a McGowan grade of III. The most effective procedure for resolving clawing was SMT. Clinical results were excellent in 26 patients (53.06%), good in 12 (24.48%), fair in 4 (8.16%), and poor in 7 (14.28%). At the latest follow-up, overall grip and pinch strength had improved by 23% and 34%, respectively, compared with the contralateral side. Thirty-six patients exhibited an improvement in grip power and 38 in fine dexterity. Complete resolution of numbness was observed in 32 patients, and complete resolution of pain was noted in 30 patients. The preoperative mean visual analog scale score of 6.82 improved to 3.36 postoperatively. Clawing improved in 4 patients and atrophy in 7. The mean time to subjective improvement was shortest in the SMT group and longest in the IMT group. The greatest pain relief was reported in the IMT group and the least in the SMT group. One case with IMT required reoperation because of recompression of the nerve. The most frequent complication in the SMT and IMT groups was muscular tenderness. In conclusion, SCT offers an alternative to other anterior transposition methods because of its simplicity and quicker recovery time, especially in mild to moderate cases.