The spine journal : official journal of the North American Spine Society
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Randomized Controlled Trial
Microwave diathermy for treating nonspecific chronic neck pain: a randomized controlled trial.
Although the use of deep heat therapy is widespread, there is scant literature available on its effectiveness in treating back or neck pain. ⋯ Microwave diathermy does not provide additional benefit to a treatment regimen of chronic neck pain that already involves other treatment approaches.
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Randomized Controlled Trial
Intraoperative systemic infusion of lidocaine reduces postoperative pain after lumbar surgery: a double-blinded, randomized, placebo-controlled clinical trial.
Analgesic effect of lidocaine infusion on postoperative pain. ⋯ Intraoperative systemic infusion of lidocaine decreases pain perception during microdiscectomy, thus reducing the consumption of opioid and the severity of postoperative pain. This effect contributes to reduce the length of HS.
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Cervical spine disc herniation is a disabling source of cervical radiculopathy. However, little is known about its course and prognosis. Understanding the course and prognosis of symptomatic cervical disc herniation is necessary to guide patients' expectations and assist clinicians in managing patients. ⋯ Our best evidence synthesis describes the best available evidence on the course and prognosis of cervical disc herniations with radiculopathy. Most patients with symptomatic cervical spine disc herniation with radiculopathy recover. Possible recurrences and time to complete recovery need to be further studied. More studies are also needed to understand the prognostic factors for this condition.
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Obesity has been associated with adverse surgical outcomes; however, limited information is available regarding the effect of obesity on cervical spinal fusion outcomes. ⋯ High BMI, regardless of obesity class, does not appear to be associated with increased complications after cervical fusion in the 30-day postoperative period.
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Blood loss in patients with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) who are undergoing posterior spinal instrumentation and fusion (PSIF) varies greatly. The reason for this wide range is not clear. There are reports of unexpected massive hemorrhage during these surgeries. Many studies reflect authors' preferences for describing blood loss in terms of levels fused, weight, or percent blood volume. ⋯ Excessive blood loss may be an arbitrary number until future research suggests otherwise. We show that the probability of exceeding one of our arbitrary definitions is approximately 10% when 12 or more levels are fused. If a 10% incidence of excessive blood loss is determined to be clinically relevant, teams might wish to pursue hematologic consultation and maximal blood conservation strategy when 12 or more levels are planned for fusion.