The spine journal : official journal of the North American Spine Society
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At first visit and each clinical follow-up session, patients with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) undergo radiographic examination, from which the Cobb angle is measured. The cumulative exposure to X-ray radiation justifies efforts in developing noninvasive methods for scoliosis monitoring. ⋯ Using the developed classification tree for the patients analyzed in this study, 43% of nonprogression cases between two visits would not have to undergo an X-ray examination.
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Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative Study
Comparison of the lumbar disc herniation patients randomized in SPORT to 6,846 discectomy patients from NSQIP: demographics, perioperative variables, and complications correlate well.
The Spine Patient Outcomes Research Trial (SPORT) is a highly referenced clinical trial that randomized patients with lumbar pathology to receive surgery or continued conservative treatment. ⋯ Spine Patient Outcomes Research Trial lumbar disc herniation results are similar to those from a large national patient sample. Even statistically significant differences would be considered clinically similar. These findings support the generalizability of the SPORT lumbar disc herniation results.
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Spine surgery is usually associated with large amount of blood loss, necessitating blood transfusions. Blood loss-associated morbidity can be because of direct risks, such as hypotension and organ damage, or as a result of blood transfusions. The antifibrinolytic, tranexamic acid (TXA), is a lysine analog that inhibits activation of plasminogen and has shown to be beneficial in reducing surgical blood loss. ⋯ Tranexamic acid reduces surgical bleeding and transfusion requirements in patients undergoing spine surgery. Tranexamic acid does not appear to be associated with an increased incidence of pulmonary embolism, DVT, or MI.
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Adverse events (AEs) in thoracic and lumbar spine fractures are common, but little is known about the type of AEs that are specific to this population. Furthermore, very little is known about the incidence and clinical impact of these AEs on patients in the presence of traumatic spinal cord injury and whether they are treated operatively or nonoperatively. ⋯ The presence of neurologic injury and the need for operative fixation of thoracic or lumbar injuries lead to a greater risk of AEs. Only pneumonia and delirium consistently increase LOS.
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Randomized Controlled Trial
The spinal stenosis pedometer and nutrition lifestyle intervention (SSPANLI): development and pilot.
Owing to mobility limitations, people with lumbar spinal stenosis (LSS) are at risk for diseases of inactivity, including obesity. Therefore, weight management in LSS is critical. Body mass index is the strongest predictor of function in LSS, suggesting that weight loss may promote physical activity and provide a unique treatment option. We propose a lifestyle modification approach of physical activity and nutrition education, delivered through an e-health platform. ⋯ The spinal stenosis pedometer and nutrition lifestyle intervention was shown to be feasible, attractive to participants, and effective in this small sample. This intervention provides people with LSS the opportunity to participate in their own health management, potentially improving access to care. Efficacy is currently being assessed in a randomized trial.