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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We used two different methods to classify low back pain (LBP) in the general population (1) to assess the overlapping of individuals within the different subgroups in those two classifications, (2) to explore if the associations between LBP and some selected bio-psychosocial factors are similar, regardless which of the two classifications is used. ⋯ Different classification systems of LBP are capable of bringing forth different findings. This may help explain the lack of consistency between studies on risk factors of LBP.
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To correct an equation used to estimate height loss in adolescent idiopathic scoliosis in a recent European Spine Journal paper.
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Spinal pathology and related symptoms are among the most common health problems and are associated with high health care costs and productivity losses. Due to the aging population, these costs are further increasing every year. Another important reason for the increasing costs is the market approval of new technologies, such as spinal devices that are usually more expensive than the existing technologies. Previous cases of medical device failure led to concern about possible deficiencies in the market approval process. ⋯ We have provided recommendations to enhance spinal implant regulation and improve and ensure the patient's safety and the future of spine surgery.
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The aim of this study was to compare two approaches for the delivery of biomaterials to partially nucleotomised intervertebral discs in whole organ culture under loading. Such models can help to bridge the gap between in vitro and in vivo studies by assessing (1) suitability of biomaterial delivery and defect closure methods, (2) effect of mechanical loading and (3) tissue response. ⋯ Two alternative methods for biomaterial testing in whole organ culture under loading were developed. Such models bring insights on the ability of the biomaterial to restore the mechanical behaviour of the discs. From a clinical perspective, the cavity models can simulate treatment of nucleotomy after disc herniation in young patients, whereby the remaining nucleus pulposus is still functional and therefore at high risk of re-herniation, though the defect may differ from the clinical situation.
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Degenerative disc disease (DDD) is a common disabling condition for millions of individuals. Injection of xenogenic juvenile chondrocytes (XJC) into the disc space has been shown to have a therapeutic potential for disc repair. In the current study, XJC were injected extra-discally on neural structures in an in vivo rat hemilaminectomy model to compare the histological and behavioral effects on XJC and fibrin glue carrier. ⋯ While these results need to be confirmed over a larger period of time, they suggest that XJC transplantation into the disc space shows no adverse effect on nerve tissue.