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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Although the occurrence and progression of AIS has been linked to low bone mineral density (BMD), the relationships between spinal curvature and bilateral differences in proximal femur BMD are controversial. Few correlation studies have stratified patients by curve type. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the relationships between spinal coronal profile and bilateral differences in proximal femur BMD in patients with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS). ⋯ The bilateral proximal femur BMD ratio was significantly correlated with the coronal balance in AIS patients. When the C7 plumb line was shifted toward one side, the BMD was greater in the contralateral proximal femur.
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Gait impairment in cervical spondylotic myelopathy (CSM) is characterised by a number of kinematic and kinetic abnormalities. Surface electromyography (EMG) can evaluate the contributions of individual muscles to a movement pattern and provide insight into the underlying impairments that characterise an abnormal gait. This study aimed to analyse EMG signals from major lower limb muscles in people with CSM and healthy controls during gait. ⋯ The results provide evidence for paresis as a contributory factor to gait impairment in CSM, indicated by impaired amplitude and the need for proximal co-activation to compensate for lack of distal power generation. Poor proprioception may have contributed to prolonged activation of tibialis anterior. Analysis of muscle responses to lengthening suggested that spasticity was not an important contributor. These findings have implications for the assessment and rehabilitation of gait impairment in CSM.
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There have been several studies regarding the relationship between deglutition and the cervical spine; however, the movement of the cervical spine during deglutition has not been specifically studied. The purpose of the present study was to clarify how the cervical spine moves during normal deglutition. ⋯ These findings suggest that the cervical spine moves to reduce physiological lordosis during deglutition.
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To evaluate the clinical and radiological outcomes of elderly (>75 years old) patients who underwent spinal instrumented fusion surgery. ⋯ Spinal fixation and fusion in patients older than 75 years old grants good results in terms of quality of life but the rate of morbidity is higher than standard spine surgery. Rate of fusion especially is still a critical point.
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Comparative Study
Disc prosthesis replacement and interbody fusion in the treatment of degenerative cervical disc disease: comparative analysis of 176 consecutive cases.
The purpose of this retrospective analysis is to determine whether disc prosthesis replacement can be equivalent or superior compared with the disc interbody fusion. ⋯ Our experience demonstrates that the use of disc prosthesis is a safe and effective alternative to interbody fusion.