Spine
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The levels of dorsal root ganglions (DRGs) innervating the dorsal portion of the lumbar intervertebral discs from L1-L2 to L4-L5 were investigated in rats by the retrograde transport method. The pathways and functions of nerve fibers supplying the dorsal portion of the discs were investigated by denervation and immuno-histochemistry. ⋯ The dorsal portion of the lumbar discs from L1-L2 to L4-L5 is multisegmentally innervated by the T11 through L5 dorsal root ganglions. Sensory fibers from the upper dorsal root ganglions innervate the dorsal portion of the discs via the paravertebral sympathetic trunks, although those from the lower dorsal root ganglions innervate via the sinuvertebral nerves. Furthermore, sensory nerve fibers enter the paravertebral sympathetic trunks through the corresponding ramus communicans and reach the dorsal root ganglions via each ramus communicans at the L2 and/or more cranial levels.
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A retrospective cohort study consisting of a medical record review and a follow-up telephone survey of patients with lumbar fusion, at least 2 years after their surgery, was performed. ⋯ Outcomes of posterolateral lumbar fusion among compensated workers in Utah are inconsistent. Outcomes can be predicted by presurgical sociodemographic variables. Screening for such presurgical risk factors may be important for prudent surgical decisions and rehabilitation planning.
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One-stage posterior hemivertebra resection and correction using segmental posterior instrumentation.
A retrospective study of 12 patients with congenital kyphoscoliosis caused by a single hemivertebra who underwent one-stage posterior hemivertebra resection and correction by posterior segmental instrumentation. ⋯ This study indicated that correction of kyphoscoliosis caused by a single hemivertebra can be effectively conducted by one-stage posterior hemivertebra resection and correction using segmental posterior instrumentation. The operation was safe, and no associated adverse complications were noted. This procedure is best indicated for adolescent patients with a structural kyphoscoliotic deformity caused by a thoracic or thoracolumbar single hemivertebra.
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Comparative Study
A comparison of symptom checklist 90-revised profiles from patients with chronic pain from whiplash and patients with other musculoskeletal injuries.
A quasi-experimental design was used to compare the Symptom Checklist 90-Revised profiles (SCL-90-R) from a group of patients with whiplash injuries (n = 67) and a group with mixed musculoskeletal pain (n = 91). ⋯ The current study failed to support the validity of a distinctive SCL-90-R profile for patients with whiplash injuries. Instead, the results suggest that the psychological consequences of experiencing chronic pain from whiplash-associated disorders are similar to the psychological consequences of chronic pain from other musculoskeletal injuries.
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Balance performance in unstable sitting and trunk muscle response to quick force release were measured in 16 patients with chronic low back pain and 14 matched healthy control subjects. ⋯ Patients with chronic low back pain demonstrated poorer postural control of the lumbar spine and longer trunk muscle response times than healthy control volunteers. Correlation between these two phenomena suggests a common underlying pathology in the lumbar spine.