Spine
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A case report describing thoracic intervertebral disc degeneration and spondylolisthesis associated with a Schmorl node in a young athlete, which was successfully treated by anterior interbody fusion (AIF). ⋯ The AIF procedure was effective for lower thoracic symptomatic intervertebral disc degeneration and spondylolisthesis associated with a Schmorl node.
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The assessment of sacrum angular motions and stress across sacroiliac joint (SIJ) articular surfaces using finite element lumbar spine-pelvis model and simulated posterior fusion surgical procedures. ⋯ The fusion at the lumbar spine level increased motion and stresses at the SIJ. This could be a probable reason for low back pain in patients after lumbar spine fusion procedures.
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Historical cohort study. ⋯ Prescriptions for opioid analgesia appear to be decreasing within workers' compensation claimants in Alberta, Canada. As expected, claimants with more severe injuries were more likely to receive opioids. An association was observed between early opioid prescription and delayed recovery, however, this is likely explained by pain severity or other unmeasured confounders.
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Comparative Study
Low profile pelvic fixation: anatomic parameters for sacral alar-iliac fixation versus traditional iliac fixation.
Three-dimensional computed tomography (CT) radiographic analysis. ⋯ Iliac fixation through the S2 ala provides a reproducibly chosen starting point in line with S1 pedicle anchors. Implant prominence is minimized because the starting point is 15 mm deeper than the PSIS entry. It is less likely to be affected in cases using iliac crest bone graft harvest because of the more anterior position of the anchor in the ilium.
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We collected the specimens of lumbar intervertebral discs from patients with discogenic low back pain, to study the histopathological features and connective tissue growth factor (CTGF) expressions. ⋯ The painful degenerative disc is significantly different from the asymptomatic degenerative disc with regard to histopathological findings. The strong CTGF expression in the painful disc may be related to disc fibrosis and degeneration.