Spine
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In this study, 26 cases of congenital kyphosis and kyphoscoliosis treated surgically were retrospectively reviewed. ⋯ After reviewing their experience, the authors made the following observations: 1) The pseudarthrosis rate was low even without routine augmentation of fusion mass if instrumentation was used; 2) gradual correction of kyphosis may occur with growth in patients younger than 3 years with Types 2 and 3 deformities after posterior fusion, but appears to be unpredictable; 3) the risk of neurologic injury with anterior and posterior fusion for kyphotic deformity was associated with greater age, more severe deformity, and preexisting spinal cord compromise.
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Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative Study Clinical Trial
Comparison of three manual coccydynia treatments: a pilot study.
A prospective pilot study with independent assessment and a 2-year follow-up period was conducted. ⋯ There is a need for a placebo-controlled study to establish conclusively whether manual treatments are effective. This placebo must be an external treatment. A sample size of 190 patients would be required for 80% confidence in detecting a difference.
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Comparative Study
Analysis of the convergent and discriminant validity of published lumbar flexion, extension, and lateral flexion scores.
Articles reflecting the convergent or discriminant validity of the lumbar range of motion tests were reviewed and compared. Mean scores and standard deviations for lumber range of motion from healthy control subjects were plotted against those from patients with low back injuries. ⋯ Convergent and discriminant validities of the lumbar range of motion tests currently require further substantiation. Absolute lumbar range of motion scores may not be suitable as the sole determinants of low back pathology diagnosis. Implications for using the lumbar range of motion tests to characterize low back injuries in medicolegal situations are discussed.
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Human cadaver lumbar spines were used to assess the acute effects of intradiscal electrothermal therapy in vitro. ⋯ The data from this study suggest that the temperatures developed during intradiscal electrothermal therapy are insufficient to alter collagen architecture or stiffen the treated motion segment acutely.
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A radiographic study in 22 patients using magnetic resonance imaging was conducted. ⋯ The findings from this magnetic resonance imaging study suggest that the degree of semispinalis cervics repair affects postoperative cervical alignment, and significant loss of cervical lordosis tends to occur in elderly women who undergo laminoplasty.