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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Sagittal plane alignment is crucial for treating spinal malalignment and low back pain. Pelvic incidence-lumbar lordosis (PI-LL) mismatch is commonly used to evaluate clinical outcomes in patients with sagittal malalignment. The association between PI-LL mismatch and changes surrounding the intervertebral disc is very important to understand the compensatory mechanisms involved. This study aimed to examine the association between PI-LL mismatch and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) changes surrounding the intervertebral disc in a large population-based cohort. ⋯ MC and DD were significantly associated with PI-LL mismatch. Therefore, profiling MC may be helpful in improving the targeted treatment of LBP associated with the adult spinal deformity.
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Chronic back pain (CBP) carries a significant burden. Understanding how and why CBP prevalence varies spatially, as well as the potential impact of policies to decrease CBP would prove valuable for public health planning. This study aims to simulate and map the prevalence of CBP at ward-level across England, identify associations which may explain spatial variation, and explore 'what-if' scenarios for the impact of policies to increase physical activity (PA) on CBP. ⋯ CBP prevalence varies at ward-level across England. At ward-level, physical inactivity is strongly positively correlated with CBP. This relationship is largely explained by geographic variation in confounders (the proportion of residents that are: over 60, in low-skilled jobs, female, pregnant, obese, smokers, white or black, disabled). Policies to increase PA by 30 min weekly MVPA will likely result in a significant reduction in CBP prevalence. To maximise their impact, policies could be tailored to areas of high prevalence, which are identified by this study.
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Observational Study
Vitamin D and adolescent idiopathic scoliosis, should we stop the hype? A cross-sectional observational prospective study based on a geometric morphometrics approach.
There is strong evidence supporting the presence of fluctuating asymmetry (FA) in Adolescents with Idiopathic Scoliosis (AIS). Additionally, recent research investigating the relationship between vitamin D and AIS found a relation between them. We hypothesize a negative correlation between FA and vitamin D. ⋯ Our results do not support the massive screening of vitamin D in AIS. Shape analysis revealed differences between the shape of the deficiency and insufficiency groups related to robustness. However, this finding had no relation with the scoliosis characteristics, it just reflected different body composition, and its importance should be explored in future.
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Review Meta Analysis
Management strategies for the painless foot drop: a systematic review of the literature.
Foot drop can uncommonly be a painless presenting symptom of degenerative spinal disorders. This systematic review aimed to summarise the literature on the management and outcomes of patients with a painless foot drop. ⋯ This systematic review and meta-analysis demonstrates a role for surgery in facilitating the neurological recovery of patients with a painless foot drop. Large randomised controlled studies are required to characterise the role of operative intervention in these patients and compare outcomes between patients with painless and painful foot drop.
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The pathology of dropped head syndrome (DHS) is diverse, and reports of surgery for DHS are scarce. We aimed to describe surgery for DHS and to investigate the surgical outcomes thereof. ⋯ For cases where the T1 slope is relatively small, and approximately 10° of cervical lordosis is predicted to be obtained postoperatively, SF is appropriate. Alternatively, for cases with higher T1 slope, obtaining a cervical lordosis over 20° has a risk of postoperative complications. For such cases, it is an option to perform an LF involving the cervical and thoracic spine.