European spine journal : official publication of the European Spine Society, the European Spinal Deformity Society, and the European Section of the Cervical Spine Research Society
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Genetic factors seem to play a role in symptomatic lumbar disc disease (LDD). It has been shown previously that a tryptophan mutation of the COL9A2 gene is a major risk factor for LDD in a Finish population. The impact of collagen gene variations on the relapse rate after lumbar discectomy, however, has not been studied so far. ⋯ However, nine patients with recurrent LDD, but only two without recurrence were homozygous for the Arg allele. Homozygosity for the Arg allele of Col9A2 seems to be more frequent in the patient group with early recurrence although the differences in the allele frequencies were statistically not significant. In contrast, the Trp2 mutation seems not to be a major susceptibility factor for LDD in a German population.
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Subsidence of various constructs into the vertebral body is a well-known complication in anterior fusion. Information on bone structure is needed, as a basis for improving these procedures. There are, however, no data available on the distribution of mineral density within vertebral endplates. ⋯ The mineralization distribution showed characteristic reproducible patterns. The maximal values occurred in the posterolateral parts, and can thus be considered a morphological substrate of high long-term loading. This can serve as a basis for improved prosthesis design and the anchorage point for various fusion techniques.
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Design of the experiment is to study the cross-sectional sample with retrospective information. The objective is to identify the types of physical activity associated with the decreased occurrence of low-back pain (LBP) in schoolchildren. Physical activity may be hypothesized to possess a potential for LBP prevention. ⋯ Among sports activities, only swimming and the number of hours per week participating in soccer were associated with a decreased LBP prevalence. With the exception of swimming and soccer, the types of sport reported by this schoolchild population do not offer themselves for consideration as tools for LBP prevention. Based on the associations found with indicators of physical inactivity, attempts to motivate the children to increase their general physical activity level should be considered for trial.
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Clinical Trial
Short segment pedicle screw instrumentation and augmentation vertebroplasty in lumbar burst fractures: an experience.
To assess the efficacy and feasibility of vertebroplasty and posterior short-segment pedicle screw fixation for the treatment of traumatic lumbar burst fractures. Short-segment pedicle screw instrumentation is a well described technique to reduce and stabilize thoracic and lumbar spine fractures. It is relatively a easy procedure but can only indirectly reduce a fractured vertebral body, and the means of augmenting the anterior column are limited. ⋯ Complications were cement leakage in three cases without clinical implications and one superficial wound infection. Posterior short-segment pedicle fixation in conjunction with balloon vertebroplasty seems to be a feasible option in the management of lumbar burst fractures, thereby addressing all the three columns through a single approach. Although cement leakage occurred but had no clinical consequences or neurological deficit.