Spine
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A prospective cohort study was conducted on workers claiming earnings-related compensation for low back pain. Information obtained at the time of the initial claim was linked to compensation status (still claiming or not claiming) 3 months later. ⋯ Simple self-report measures of individual, psychosocial, and workplace factors administered when earnings-related compensation for back pain is claimed initially can identify individuals with increased odds for development of chronic occupational disability.
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A retrospective study of blood transfusion practices after posterior lumbar spine surgery was performed. ⋯ Autologous blood donations are indeed advantageous in decreasing allogeneic blood usage of patients undergoing fusion, but additional methods of blood conservation (intraoperative salvage and preoperative erythropoietin) seem necessary to diminish the allogeneic blood requirements further, especially in those patients undergoing instrumented lumbar fusion.
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In vivo strain techniques were used in an animal radiculopathy model. ⋯ For the first time, in vivo biomechanical analysis of tissue deformations was used to investigate the role of mechanics in radicular pain. Overall mechanical allodynia was greater for more severe nerve root injuries (greater strains) in an animal model, suggesting that mechanical deformation plays an important role in the pain mechanism. Continued work is underway to understand the complex interplay between mechanics and the physiology of radicular pain.
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Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative Study Clinical Trial
Transforaminal epidural steroid injections in lumbosacral radiculopathy: a prospective randomized study.
A prospective study randomized by patient choice from the private practice of a single physician affiliated with a major teaching hospital was conducted. ⋯ Fluoroscopically guided transforaminal injections serve as an important tool in the nonsurgical management of lumbosacral radiculopathy secondary to a herniated nucleus pulposus.