The spine journal : official journal of the North American Spine Society
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Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) has the potential to identify pathology contributing to neck pain. However, the importance of findings on MRI remains unclear. ⋯ The limited number, heterogeneity, and small sample size of the included studies do not permit definitive conclusions on the association between MRI findings of the cervical spine with future neck pain.
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Meta Analysis
Manipulation and mobilization for treating chronic low back pain: a systematic review and meta-analysis.
Mobilization and manipulation therapies are widely used to benefit patients with chronic low back pain. However, questions remain about their efficacy, dosing, safety, and how these approaches compare with other therapies. ⋯ There is moderate-quality evidence that manipulation and mobilization are likely to reduce pain and improve function for patients with chronic low back pain; manipulation appears to produce a larger effect than mobilization. Both therapies appear safe. Multimodal programs may be a promising option.
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Degenerative lumbar scoliosis (DLS) is often associated with sagittal imbalance, which may affect patients' health outcomes before and after surgery. The appropriateness of surgery and preferred operative approaches has not been examined in detail for patients with DLS and sagittal imbalance. ⋯ Clinical experts agreed that sagittal imbalance is a major factor affecting both when surgery is appropriate and which type of procedure is preferred among patients with DLS.
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Spinal metastases occur in 30%-50% of patients with systemic cancer. The primary goals of palliation are pain control and prevention of local recurrence. ⋯ Kyphoplasty and intraoperative radiotherapy is safe and immediately provided sustained pain relief with excellent local control rates in patients with painful vertebral metastases.
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The development of muscle fat infiltration (MFI) in the neck muscles is associated with poor functional recovery following whiplash injury. Custom software and time-consuming manual segmentation of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is required for quantitative analysis and presents as a barrier for clinical translation. ⋯ These preliminary results suggest a qualitative MRI measure for MFI is reliable and valid, and may prove useful toward the classification of WAD in radiology practice.