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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Decreased activity of the lumbar stabilizer muscles has been identified in individuals with sway-back posture. Disuse can predispose these muscles to atrophy, which is characterized by a reduced cross-sectional area (CSA) and by fat infiltration. The aim of this study was to evaluate the amount of fat infiltration in the lumbar multifidus and lumbar erector spinae muscles as a sign of the muscle atrophy in individuals with sway-back posture, with and without low back pain. ⋯ The results of this study indicate that individuals with sway-back posture may be susceptible to morphological changes in their lumbar erector spinae and lumbar multifidus muscles, both due to the presence of pain and as a consequence of their habitual posture.
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Clinical Trial
Minimally invasive transforaminal lumber interbody fusion and degenerative lumbar spine disease.
The purpose of this study was to assess the clinical and radiological outcomes of minimally invasive transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (MI-TLIF) surgery for degenerative lumbar spine disease. ⋯ MI-TLIF offers patients a safe and effective surgical treatment option to treat degenerative lumbar spine disease.
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Although patients scheduled to undergo lumbar disc surgery often ask when they are allowed to drive a motor vehicle again, there are no published recommendations on this subject. ⋯ Our data indicate a positive effect of the surgery on driving ability. Therefore, we would suggest that for both patient samples it is safe to continue driving after hospital discharge. However, patients have to be informed about increased DRT caused by radiculopathy already before surgery.
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The objectives of this study was to clarify the relationship between kyphosis and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) by evaluation of spinal alignment, obesity, osteoporosis, back muscle strength, intake of oral drugs, and smoking and alcohol history in screening of a community population to determine the factors related to GERD symptoms. GERD increases with age and is estimated to occur in about 30% of people. Risk factors for GERD include aging, male gender, obesity, oral medicines, smoking, and alcohol intake. It has also been suggested that kyphosis may influence the frequency of GERD, but the relationship between kyphosis and GERD is unclear. ⋯ This study is the first to show that lumbar kyphosis, poor sagittal balance; increased number of oral drugs taken per day, and decreased back muscle strength are important risk factors for the development of GERD symptoms. Thus, orthopedic surgeons and physicians should pay attention to GERD in elderly patients with spinal deformity.
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Clinical observations suggest that endplate shape and size are related to complications of disc arthroplasty surgery. Yet, the morphology of the vertebral endplate has not been well defined. This study was conducted to characterize the morphology of lumbar vertebral endplates and to quantify their morphometrics using radiographic, visual and digital measures. ⋯ There is marked morphological asymmetry between the two adjacent endplates of a lumbar intervertebral disc: the cranial endplate is more concave than the caudal endplate. The size and shape of the vertebral endplate also vary considerably between the upper and lower lumbar regions.