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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The objective of this prospective innovative treatment is to section the pain pathways carried by sympathetic lumbar rami communicantes to achieve lasting pain relief of refractory low back pain. ⋯ Section the pain pathways carried by sympathetic lumbar rami communicantes for refractory low back pain improved 22 % of patients at the last follow-up of 29 months.
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Comparative Study
Disk degeneration of the upper lumbar disks is associated with hip pain.
A possible cause of hip pain is the presence of radiating pain from the higher lumbar spine. Identification of factors associated with hip pain arising from the lumbar spine would aid the physician. The first step in identifying possible factors is to look at the association between hip pain and osteoarthritis of the lumbar spine. ⋯ Our data provide evidence for an association between hip pain and disk space narrowing at disk level L1/L2 and L2/L3. In case of uncertainty of the cause of hip pain, evaluation of lumbar radiographs may help to identify those hip pain patients who might have pain arising from the lumbar spine.
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Comparative Study
Physical activity level, leisure activities and related quality of life 1 year after lumbar decompression or total hip arthroplasty.
Lumbar decompression surgery (LDS) and total hip arthroplasty (THA) are frequently performed in the elderly population, but very little is known about their subsequent physical capacity and participation in leisure activities. Despite similar demographics and comorbidities, it is questionable whether LDS patients achieve equally high levels of physical capacity and quality of life postoperatively as do THA patients. The aim was to compare the physical activity level, participation in leisure activities and related quality of life 1 year after an LDS and THA procedure. ⋯ Despite being equally physically active and engaged in leisure activities, LDS patients did not achieve a quality of life comparable to that of THA patients 1 year postoperatively.
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Randomized Controlled Trial
Effects of a postural education program on school backpack habits related to low back pain in children.
Population based studies have demonstrated that children and adolescents often complain of low back pain. A group-randomized controlled trial was carried out to investigate the effects of a postural education program on school backpack habits related to low back pain in children aged 10-12 year. ⋯ The present study findings confirm that children are able to learn healthy backpack habits which might prevent future low back pain.
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Comparative Study
Epidemiological survey of ossification of the ligamentum flavum in thoracic spine: CT imaging observation of 993 cases.
To investigate the characteristics of epidemiological distribution of the ossification of the ligamentum flavum (OLF) in the thoracic spine including the incidence, segmental distribution, and shape. ⋯ The prevalence of ossification of the ligamentum flavum was highest in the 50-59 years group, but also occurred in early years. OLF occurs more frequently in the lower than in the upper and middle thoracic regions and its prevalence increases with aging.