Spine
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Biomechanical study using human cadaver spines. ⋯ The ATB plate can significantly increase the stability of the anterior FRA at L5-S1 level. Although supplemental transpedicular instrumentation results in a more stable biomechanical environment, the resultant ROM with the addition of a plate is small, especially under physiologic preload, suggesting that the plate can sufficiently resist motion. Therefore, clinical assessment of the ATB plate as an alternative to transpedicular instrumentation to enhance ALIF cage stability is considered reasonable.
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Randomized Controlled Trial Multicenter Study
Prospective, randomized trial of metal-on-metal artificial lumbar disc replacement: initial results for treatment of discogenic pain.
This study presents data on 67 patients from 2 study sites involved in the multicenter, prospective, randomized, controlled investigational device exemption study of FlexiCore artificial disc replacement versus fusion with a 2-year follow-up. ⋯ These initial results from 2 study sites demonstrate that the FlexiCore compares very favorably to circumferential fusion for the treatment of lumbar DDD unresponsive to conservative treatment. These results are not intended to represent the overall study results.
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Prospective, population-based cohort study. ⋯ Prescription of opioids for more than 7 days for workers with acute back injuries is a risk factor for long-term disability. Further research is needed to elucidate this association.
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Retrospective review and multivariate analysis. ⋯ Age was associated with declining ROM independent of degeneration, amounting to a 5 degrees decrease in subaxial cervical ROM every 10 years. Degeneration was also associated with ROM. For every point increase in KS at a given level, there was an associated 1.2 degrees decrease in ROM at that level, and a 0.8 degrees increase in ROM at the level above. These results provide a framework with which to counsel patients about cervical ROM and a benchmark from which procedure specific changes can be compared.
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A questionnaire study. ⋯ There is a high prevalence of wrong level surgery among spine surgeons; 1 of every 2 spine surgeons may perform a wrong level surgery during his or her career. Although all spine surgeons surveyed report using at least 1 preventive action, the following measures are highly recommended but inconsistently adopted: direct preoperative communication with the patient by the surgeon, marking of the intended site, and the use of intraoperative verification radiograph.