Spine
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Randomized Controlled Trial
What works best for whom? An exploratory, subgroup analysis in a randomized, controlled trial on the effectiveness of a workplace intervention in low back pain patients on return to work.
Exploratory subgroup analysis in a randomized controlled trial (RCT). ⋯ The findings from these exploratory analyses should be tested in future RCTs. This workplace intervention seems very suitable for return to work of older workers and workers with previous sick leave. Gender, perceived heavy work, and baseline scores in pain and functional status should not be a basis for assignment to this intervention.
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Retrospective case series of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings in patients with presumed infantile idiopathic scoliosis (IIS). ⋯ This study represents the largest evaluation of intraspinal anomalies in IIS to date. Our patient population exhibited a smaller percentage (13%) of neural axis abnormalities than previously reported. On the basis of these findings, the close observation may be a reasonable alternative to an immediate screening MRI in patients presenting with presumed IIS and a curve >20 degrees.
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A morphometric analysis, using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) studies of the lumbar spine. ⋯ The safe corridor for performing the discectomy and inserting the intervertebral cage narrows from L1-L2 to the L4-L5 level. This corridor is further narrowed with rotatory deformity of the spine. Using the preoperative MRI to assess the relative position of the adjacent neuro-vascular structures in relation to the lower vertebra's endplate at each level is recommended.
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A coculture of synovium-derived stem cells (SDSCs) and nucleus pulposus cells (NPCs) in a serum-free pellet system was treated with varying doses of transforming growth factor beta (TGF-beta). Cultures of either SDSCs or NPCs alone served as controls. ⋯ SDSCs may act as a potential mesenchymal stem cell candidate for NP regeneration. Further studies are needed to evaluate the in vivo effect of SDSCs on disc regeneration.
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Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative Study
A prospective, randomized, blinded, single-site study to evaluate the clinical and radiographic differences between frozen and freeze-dried allograft when used as part of a circumferential anterior lumbar interbody fusion procedure.
Prospective, randomized clinical trial from a single surgeon's patient population. ⋯ When the results are considered in terms of clinical outcomes, the 2 methods of graft preservation perform with few statistically significant differences. Radiographic analysis showed that the freeze-dried graft had a higher likelihood of pseudarthrosis.