Spine
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Delayed, repeated measures, with three examiners each twice digitizing thirty lateral lumbar radiographs. ⋯ All four radiographic methods had high reliability and low mean absolute differences of observers' measurements. Because it lacks a segmental analysis, the TRALL method is not recommended. The centroid, Cobb, and Harrison posterior tangent methods provide global and segmental angles. However, the centroid segmental method requires three segments and is less useful for a stability analysis.
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A 6-month prospective study of neck mobility in patients with acute whiplash injury and a control group with acute ankle distortion was conducted. ⋯ Neck mobility is reduced immediately after, but not 3 months after, a whiplash trauma. Headache and neck mobility are related inversely and neck pain and neck mobility are related inversely during the first 6 months after acute whiplash injury.
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The neural spaces of thoracolumbar burst fractures were investigated in an in vitro biomechanical study. ⋯ Both flexion and extension can decompress canal and foramina, depending on the choice for the location of the center of rotation. If lordotic posture is preferred clinically, then the optimal choice may be extension around the center of rotation located at the tip of the spinous process of the burst vertebra.
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A prospective review of patients undergoing epidural catheter placement after anterior spinal fusion and instrumentation for adolescent scoliosis was performed. Data were collected using visual analog pain scores reflecting the patients' perception of their pain control. ⋯ By following the dosing protocol described, epidural catheters can be used safely and effectively to control postoperative pain after anterior instrumentation and spinal fusion for adolescent scoliosis.
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A retrospective study was performed, using the Short Form-36 Health Survey and the Roland and Morris Disability Questionnaire, to investigate patient outcomes after fusion for adolescent idiopathic scoliosis using Harrington rod instrumentation. ⋯ Long-term follow-up evaluation of Harrington rod fusion for adolescent idiopathic scoliosis showed no important impairment of health-related quality of life, as measured by patient-oriented evaluation.