Spine
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Cross-sectional study of 63 patients with chronic low back pain (CLBP). ⋯ Self-report measurements and performance-based assessments provide information about distinct, although related, domains of physical functioning. Disability and low MH are associated with lower SF-36 PF scores. Our results confirm that self-report measures require supplementation with objective performance testing to provide optimal assessment for patients with CLBP.
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Retrospective radiographic review. ⋯ Selective thoracic or thoracolumbar/lumbar fusions of the major curve can be successfully performed even when the minor curve completely deviates from the midline, based on the Lenke classification system, the analysis of structural criteria between the planned fused and unfused regions of the spine, and the clinical examination of the patient. Selective fusions, when successfully performed, will optimize mobile segments of the spine in patients with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis.
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Biomechanical study. ⋯ Based on the results of this biomechanical comparison, the calf spines instrumented with the wedge-rod system for fusionless correction were significantly stiffer as compared to the intact calf spine. The wedges alone were not as stiff as the intact spine. This suggests that the theory of performing transverse osteotomies of vertebral bodies with fixation with wedge-rod construct for 8 to 12 weeks, followed by removal of the rod, could provide adequate fixation and correction of a scoliotic deformity without requiring fusion of motion segments.
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Comparative Study
Biomechanical comparison of cervical spine reconstructive techniques after a multilevel corpectomy of the cervical spine.
An in vitro biomechanical study of several reconstructive techniques after a two-level cervical corpectomy. ⋯ The biomechanical results obtained suggest that posterior segmental instrumentation confers significant stability to a multilevel cervical corpectomy regardless of the presence or absence of anterior instrumentation. In cases in which the stability of a multilevel reconstruction procedure is tenuous, the surgeon should strongly consider the placement of segmental posterior instrumentation to significantly improve the overall stability of the fusion construct.
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Case Reports
Successful management of a large pulmonary cement embolus after percutaneous vertebroplasty: a case report.
Percutaneous vertebroplasty is increasingly used for the treatment of vertebral compression fractures. Local leakage of polymethylmethacrylate cement into the perivertebral space is a common complication, but important systemic effects have rarely been reported. ⋯ The patient made an uneventful recovery. The authors review how appropriate arthroplasty techniques might minimize the risk of this dreadful complication.