The Orthopedic clinics of North America
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Orthop. Clin. North Am. · Apr 1988
ReviewLoss of lumbar lordosis. A complication of spinal fusion for scoliosis.
Symptomatic loss of lumbar lordosis is a disabling complication of scoliosis surgery. This so-called "flat-back syndrome" is characterized by an inability to stand erect and by upper back pain. Distraction instrumentation extending into the lower lumbar spine or sacrum is the most frequently identified etiologic factor responsible for loss of lordosis. ⋯ Avoid distraction instrumentation that extends into the lumbar spine if possible. When distraction instrumentation is used, the techniques described will help preserve lumbar lordosis. When performing a fusion to the sacrum, distraction instrumentation should not be used.
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Orthop. Clin. North Am. · Apr 1988
A 1988 perspective on the Galveston technique of pelvic fixation.
The Galveston technique for pelvic fixation was used in 40 patients who underwent scoliosis surgery with pelvic fixation at The University of Texas Medical Branch from February 1980 through June 1987. Analysis of the outcomes indicates that extension of a scoliosis fusion to the pelvis can be undertaken with excellent chance for success and without the necessity of routine postsurgical casting or bracing. Accurate contouring of the L-rod implant and meticulous fusion technique are essential to success.
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Adult patients with scoliosis often have back pain, but that pain may or may not be due to the curvature. A careful history, physical examination, routine radiographic examination, and, on some occasions, specialized radiographs, CT, myelography, discography, and facet joint injection will help the physician or surgeon separate out those pain syndromes owing to the curvature versus those not owing to the curvature. Only after these critical evaluations have been done can a decent decision be made as to the area of the spine to be treated, either surgically or nonsurgically.
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Orthop. Clin. North Am. · Apr 1988
ReviewThe role of Harrington instrumentation and posterior spine fusion in the management of adolescent idiopathic scoliosis.
The Harrington instrumentation system was the first widely used, internationally accepted internal fixation system for the correction of idiopathic scoliosis when combined with a spinal arthrodesis. It has been generally available to the orthopedic surgeon for more than 25 years, and therefore its capabilities and limitations have been identified through this long experience. Its implantation requires minimal invasion of the spinal canal and is associated with a low (less than 0.5 per cent) incidence of neurologic complications. ⋯ Another disadvantage is the necessity for postoperative external support. As a result, the Harrington system remains an excellent means of treating single and double thoracic idiopathic curves in a safe and predictable manner, while admittedly having limited derotation and sagittal plane control. Other systems that are more sophisticated at segmental fixation of the spine appear to be more appropriate for scoliotic deformities requiring fusion of the thoracolumbar or lumbar spine and those associated with significant sagittal plane deformities.