Spine
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Retrospective study. ⋯ Elderly patients who underwent spine surgery for spinal stenosis had reduced mortality compared to the corresponding portion of the general population. Therefore, surgery for spinal stenosis is a justifiable procedure even in elderly patients.
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Retrospective review. ⋯ Use of ketorolac after spinal fusion surgery in humans, limited to 48 hours after surgery for adjunctive analgesia, has no significant effect on ultimate fusion rates.
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Biomechanical load-to-failure findings correlated with anatomic dissection measurements and intact (prefailure) 3-Tesla (3-T) magnetic resonance images (MRI). ⋯ Axial distraction across the cranio-vertebral junction can produce either OAD or AAD. The SCL and ICL dimensions, alar ligament orientations, and apical ligament presence may affect the injury site. Visualization with 3-T MRI allows better understanding of the injury mechanism and location, which is important clinically in selecting single- or multilevel fixation.
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A retrospective clinical study with a follow-up of more than 7 years was conducted. ⋯ In the long-term, instrumented PLIF with a single closed-box titanium cage shows similar radiologic results compared to fusion with 2 titanium cages. Implantation of a single titanium closed-box cage in an instrumented PLIF seems to be adequate in case of degenerative lumbar spinal disease.
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Randomized Controlled Trial
Epidural steroid following discectomy for herniated lumbar disc reduces neurological impairment and enhances recovery: a randomized study with two-year follow-up.
We randomized 200 patients after lumbar discectomy to receive epidural steroid or none with a 2-year follow-up. ⋯ Epidural methylprednisolone enhances recovery after discectomy for herniated disc disease without apparent side effects.