Medical science monitor : international medical journal of experimental and clinical research
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BACKGROUND Knee osteoarthritis (KOA) is a common disease that can change the load on lower limbs during walking. Plantar loads in patients with KOA may provide a basis for clinical decisions regarding footwear and foot orthoses. This study aimed to compare plantar loads in females with and without KOA during gait. ⋯ High PPs were also found in females with KOA for M2, M3, and M4. CONCLUSIONS Increased plantar loading in females with KOA may lead to foot pronation and gait changes during walking. Plantar loading may be offered to patients with KOA when considering footwear and foot orthoses.
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BACKGROUND The use of a stent during the acute post-hemorrhage period is controversial. We conducted a retrospective analysis on the clinical and angiographic outcomes of the ruptured aneurysms that were embolized with stent-assisted coiling or coiling-only. MATERIAL AND METHODS We reviewed data of 279 patients with 279 ruptured intracranial aneurysms who underwent coil embolization between July 2004 and June 2015. ⋯ Stent-assisted coiling for ruptured aneurysm, as compared with coiling-only, was not associated with an increased incidence of poor clinical outcome at follow-up. Aneurysm-occlusion status at follow-up were correlated with stent placement (p<0.001, odds ratio=5.85) and initial aneurysm-occlusion status (p=0.027, odds ratio=3.78). CONCLUSIONS Compared with coiling-only, stent-assisted coil placement may have better durability, with comparable safety for ruptured intracranial aneurysm.
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BACKGROUND The thoracolumbar AO type A3 fracture is an incomplete burst fracture, which affects one vertebral body endplate. The objective of this study was to determine which of two minimal invasive techniques was more suitable for A3 fractures based on clinical and radiographic results. MATERIAL AND METHODS We studied 112 patients with A3 subtype fractures without neurological deficits. ⋯ CONCLUSIONS Our study found no significant differences in some clinical outcomes between the two groups. Both treatments were safe and effective for A3 subtype fractures. Nevertheless, given the radiation exposure, reduction of kyphosis, special equipment required, learning curve and hospitalization costs associated with PPSF, we concluded that MWPSF was a better choice for A3 subtype fractures.
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BACKGROUND To evaluate the correlation between vertebral endplate change and the level of lumbar disc degeneration via magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). MATERIAL AND METHODS A total of 345 patients who were recruited from our hospital from May 2012 to May 2016 were evaluated for the presence of intervertebral disc degeneration or herniation. The degree of degeneration was assessed according to Pfirrmann grade. ⋯ Additionally, we also identified the positive correlation between the rate of Modic change and the degree of lumbar disc degeneration. CONCLUSIONS Endplate angle and lumbar disc degeneration are positively correlated. The endplates and endplate signal changes can reflect the degree of disc degeneration and Modic changes can reflect the rate of clinical lumbar disc degeneration degree.
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BACKGROUND Not all patients with spinal cord compression due to cervical spondylotic myelopathy (CSM) have clinical symptoms and signs. The aim of this study was to investigate and compare the imaging findings in asymptomatic and symptomatic patients with CSM with mild to moderate cervical spinal cord compression. MATERIAL AND METHODS A retrospective clinical study included 68 patients. ⋯ RESULTS For groups A and B, the Torg ratio was 90.3% and 83.6% (P<0.05), the incidence of cervical segmental instability was 23.3% and 65.8% (P<0.05), and the incidence of a spinal cord high intensity signal was 13.3% and 86.9% (P<0.05). Logistic regression analysis showed myelopathy as a dependent variable, independently associated with cervical segmental instability (OR=5.898, P=0.037), an MRI T2-weighted intramedullary high signal (OR=9.718, P=0.002), and Torg ratio (OR=0.155, P=0.006). CONCLUSIONS Cervical segmental instability, a high intramedullary signal on T2-weighted MRI, and the Torg ratio had the greatest capacity to distinguish between asymptomatic and symptomatic patients with CSM with mild to moderate cervical spinal cord compression.