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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Observational Study
Lumbar plexopathy following instrumented posterior lumbar interbody fusion: a complication with use of Hohmann's retractor.
A series of 12 patients in our centre following single level instrumented posterior lumbar interbody fusion at L4-L5 developed unexplainable motor weakness in the proximal lumbar nerve roots (L2, L3) and numbness of the whole limb, a clinical picture resembling lumbar plexopathy. Even though lumbar plexopathy has been reported following gynaecological procedures and in transpsoas interbody fusion surgeries, there is no literature reporting this complication following conventional instrumented posterior lumbar interbody fusions. ⋯ We conclude that surgical technique with improper use of Hohmann's retractor causes traction and compression injury to the lumbar plexus resulting in this complication. We propose proper technique of insertion of Hohmann's retractor and also recommend use of modified Hohmann's retractor with shorter tips for spinal procedures to prevent such complication.
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The purpose was to investigate the changes of the psoas major muscles (PM) cross-sectional area (CSA) and fat infiltration in the PM and to investigate the association between the morphology of the PM and expression of the degenerative changes of lumbar spine in patients with low back pain (LBP). ⋯ Results suggest increased activity of the PM in LBP patients but PM also remains active regardless of the presence of degenerative and Modic changes of the lumbar spine.
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We devised a tubular surgery with the assistance of endoscopic surgery via midline approach to the spinal canal to preserve the bilateral facet joints and the paravertebral muscles when treating lumbar spinal canal stenosis. We report details of this operative procedure. ⋯ Tubular surgery with the assistance of endoscopic surgery via a midline approach is a minimally invasive surgical procedure with favorable results that enables preservation of paravertebral muscles and bilateral facet joints.
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Currently degeneration of the intervertebral disc and joint in the degenerative process of the lumbar spine has mainly attracted the attention, however, there are very few literatures focusing on the height of the spinous process. Our objective was to examine in what generation the change in spinous process height occurs and how the change is involved in the degenerative process of the lumbar spine. ⋯ Changes in the spinous process morphology followed degenerative changes of the intervertebral disc and vertebral body in the degenerative process of the lumbar spine. This result may suggest that the morphological change of an increase in the height of the spinous process may be a kind of biological defense reaction to stabilize the intervertebral portion.
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To investigate if there is an effect of sustained trunk axial twisting on the development of low back pain. ⋯ Sustained trunk axial twisting elicits significant trunk rotational creep. It causes the visual analog scale to have a significant increase, and causes erector spinae muscles to become active longer during anterior flexion as well as extension, which may be linked to the decrease of the tension ability of passive tissues in low back area, indicating a higher risk in developing low back pain.