Journal of spinal disorders
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Biography Historical Article
The lumbar spine--small is beautiful: the Third Annual Ian Macnab Memorial Lecture.
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Thirty-four patients with adolescent idiopathic thoracolumbar, lumbar, or lumbar components of double major curves between 20 and 55 degrees were identified. This study group was compared with an age- and sex-matched control group with regard to back pain, radicular symptoms, and perception of handicap. The objectives of this study were to define the natural history of moderate-range adolescent idiopathic thoracolumbar, lumbar, and double major curves with a lumbar component in this range. ⋯ None of the 34 study patients and 1 control patient underwent surgery for back pain. With an average follow-up of 22 years, the study group reported handicap scores comparable to those of the control group. The average age of the study patients was only 36 years, but it is encouraging that these individuals have continued to do well for at least 20 years past skeletal maturity.
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Case Reports
Spontaneous correction of a traumatic kyphosis after posterior spinal fusion in an infant.
Posterior spinal fusion of presumed traumatic kyphosis at T11-T12 in a 23-month-old child resulted in spontaneous correction of a major angular deformity. Considerable resorption of the T12 body occurred. The remodeling process was largely completed by 8 years and 8 months of age.