The Iowa orthopaedic journal
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Comparative Study
Operative treatment of cervical spondylotic myelopathy and radiculopathy. A comparison of laminectomy and laminoplasty at five year average follow-up.
The natural history of cervical spondylotic myelopathy is frequently one of slow, progressive neurological deterioration. The operative treatment for patients with moderate to severe involvement is decompression of the spinal cord. Laminectomy has been a traditional approach and laminoplasty has developed as an attractive alternative. The purpose of this study was to examine and compare the outcomes of these two procedures in similar groups of patients at a five year average follow-up. ⋯ Laminectomy and laminoplasty patients demonstrated improvements in gait, strength, sensation, pain, and degree of myelopathy. Laminoplasty was associated with fewer late complications. Based on this analysis, we believe that laminoplasty is an effective alternative to laminectomy in patients with multi-level cervical spondylotic myelopathy or radiculopathy.
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There is no published data regarding the financial impact of training orthopaedic residents in the operating room. No comparisons between orthopaedic faculty and residents in regard to operative time and costs are known. One hundred eleven cases of anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction with or without partial meniscectomy were evaluated from 1996 to 1997. ⋯ On average, the difference is equivalent to $228.73 per case for anesthesia costs. Based on increased operative times, operating room costs, on average, were increased by $661.85. The significant differences demonstrated between residents and faculty suggest the need to develop strategies and technical training facilities in order to improve orthopaedic residents' surgical skills and efficiency outside of the cost-central operating room.
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Little information exists about the ability of the Hoffmann sign to predict cervical spinal cord compression. The objective of this study was to determine the correlation between the Hoffmann sign and cervical spinal cord compression in a consecutive series of patients seen by a single spine surgeon. All new patients with complaints related to their cervical spine were included. ⋯ Of 165 patients, 124 patients had imaging of their spinal canal. Review by the spine surgeon found sensitivity of the Hoffmann sign relative to cord compression was 58%, specificity 78%, positive predictive value 62%, negative predictive value 75%. 49 studies were also read by a "blinded" neuroradiologist, the sensitivity was 33%, specificity 59%, positive predictive value, 26%, negative predictive value 67%. Although attractive as a simple method of screening for cervical spinal cord compression, the Hoffmann sign, in the absence of other clinical findings, is not in our experience a reliable test.
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Diabetic muscle infarction is a rare complication of diabetes mellitus that is not clearly defined in the orthopaedic literature. This study is a descriptive case series of 7 new cases of diabetic muscle infarction and 55 previously reported cases in the literature. In the majority of patients, diabetic muscle infarction presents as a localized, exquisitely painful swelling and limited range of motion of the lower extremity. ⋯ Pain management and activity restriction in the acute phase followed by gentle physical therapy is the treatment of choice. Recurrences in the same or opposite limb are common. Although the short-term prognosis is very good and the majority of cases resolve spontaneously, the long-term survival is uncertain in this patient population.