Spine
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A retrospective chart review of all patients who underwent posterior cervical fusion during a 1-year time period. ⋯ rhBMP can safely be used in patients undergoing posterior cervical fusion, as it does not produce complications at the rate previously seen with its use in the anterior cervical spine.
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Prospective nonscoliotic cohort evaluation of the effects of various positions for obtaining standing lateral thoracolumbar radiographs. ⋯ Standing with the hands supported while flexing the shoulders 30 degrees during positioning for lateral spinopelvic radiographic acquisition resulted in an SVA and measures of sagittal plane curvature that were comparable with a functional standing position with arms at the side. This seems to be the best way to move the arms anterior to the spine with the least effect on overall sagittal balance.
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Clinical Trial
Interdependence between disc space height, range of motion and clinical outcome in total lumbar disc replacement.
Clinical and radiologic assessment obtained from an ongoing prospective trial following total lumbar disc replacement (TDR) with ProDisc II. ⋯ A significant interdependence was observed between the parameters DSH, ROM and the clinical outcome following TDR. Whilst the DSH is restored, TDR leads to a significant decrease in postoperative ROM, particularly at the lumbosacral junction. Higher preoperative DSH and ROM revealed a beneficial effect on the postoperative segmental mobility. The subjective outcome evaluation indicates that TDR is a viable treatment option even in advanced stages of degenerative disc disease in the absence of other contraindications, in particular facet joint arthropathies.
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Prospective case series. ⋯ SIJ blocks with triamcinolone acetonide are beneficial for some patients with SIJ pain without spondyloarthropathy. The SIJ blocks showed a long-lasting efficacy in two-thirds of the patients; however, the duration of its efficacy was shorter in patients with a history of lumbar/lumbosacral fusion. These findings suggest the need for further studies.
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A prospective diagnostic clinical trial. ⋯ The ALDT is more reliable, reproducible, and straightforward, and less error-prone than the Cobb method for measurements of spinal curvature.