International journal of spine surgery
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A validated classification remains the key to an appropriate treatment algorithm of traumatic thoracolumbar fractures. Considering the development of many classifications, it is remarkable that consensus about treatment is still lacking. We conducted a systematic review to investigate which classification can be used best for treatment decision making in thoracolumbar fractures. ⋯ Without the appropriate treatment, the impact of traumatic thoracolumbar fractures can be devastating. Therefore it is important to achieve consensus in the treatment of thoracolumbar fractures.
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Lumbar spinal fusion (LSF) is used to treat lumbar degenerative disorders. Methods to improve the functional recovery of patients undergoing LSF is one of the main goals in daily clinical practice. The objective of this study is to assess whether biophysical stimulation with capacitively coupled electric fields (CCEF) can be used as adjuvant therapy to enhance clinical outcome in LSF-treated patients. ⋯ This study suggests that CCEF stimulation can be used as an adjunct to LSF for spine diseases, for increasing overall quality of life and improving patients' functional recovery. CCEF is safe and well tolerated, compatible with activities of daily living.
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As the opioid crisis has gained national attention, there have been increasing efforts to decrease opioid usage. Simultaneously, patient satisfaction has been a crucial metric in the American health care system and has been closely linked to effective pain management in surgical patients. The purpose of this study was to examine rates of pain medication prescription and concurrent patient satisfaction in spine surgery patients. ⋯ The opioid epidemic has highlighted the need to reduce opioid usage in orthopedic spine surgery. This study reviews the trends for inpatient management of post-op pain in orthopedic spine surgery patients in relation to patient satisfaction. There was a significant increase in non-opioid analgesic pain medications, and a reduction in opioids during the study period. During this time, patient satisfaction as measured by Press-Ganey surveys did not show a decrease. This demonstrates that treatment of post-operative pain in orthopedic spine surgery patients can be managed with less opioids, more multimodal analgesia, and patient satisfaction will not be affected.