The spine journal : official journal of the North American Spine Society
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Randomized Controlled Trial
Associations between physical therapy and long-term outcomes for individuals with lumbar spinal stenosis in the SPORT study.
A period of nonsurgical management is advocated before surgical treatment for most patients with lumbar spinal stenosis. Currently, little evidence is available to define optimal nonsurgical management. Physical therapy is often used, however its use and effectiveness relative to other nonsurgical strategies has not been adequately explored. ⋯ Many patients with lumbar spinal stenosis pursuing conservative management receive physical therapy. Using physical therapy was associated with reduced likelihood of patients receiving surgery within 1 year. Results for other outcomes were mixed with no differences in several measures. Further research is needed to examine the effectiveness of physical therapy relative to other nonsurgical management strategies for patients with lumbar spinal stenosis.
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The role of fusion of lumbar motion segments for the treatment of intractable low back pain (LBP) from degenerative disc disease (DDD) without deformities or instabilities remains controversially debated. Total lumbar disc replacement (TDR) has been used as an alternative in a highly selected patient cohort. However, the amount of long-term follow-up (FU) data on TDR is limited. In the United States, insurers have refused to reimburse surgeons for TDRs for fear of delayed complications, revisions, and unknown secondary costs, leading to a drastic decline in TDR numbers. ⋯ Despite the fact that the current data comprises the early experiences and learning curve associated with a new surgical technique, the results demonstrate satisfactory and maintained mid- to long-term clinical results after a mean FU of 7.4 years. Patient safety was proven with acceptable complication and reoperation rates. Fear of excessive late complications or reoperations following the primary TDR procedure cannot be substantiated with the present data. In carefully selected cases, TDR can be considered a viable treatment alternative to lumbar fusion for which spine communities around the world seem to have accepted mediocre clinical results as well as obvious and significant drawbacks.
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The thoracic spine exhibits a unique response to trauma as the result of recognized anatomical and biomechanical differences. Despite this response, clinical studies often group thoracic fractures (T1-T10) with more caudal thoracolumbar injuries. Subsequently, there is a paucity of literature on the functional outcomes of this distinct group of injuries. ⋯ At a mean follow-up of 6 years, patients who presented with thoracic fractures and AIS D or E neurologic status recovered a general health status not significantly inferior to population norms. Compared with other neurologic intact spinal injuries, patients with thoracic injuries have a favorable generic health-related quality-of-life prognosis. Inferior outcomes and re-employment prospects were noted in those with more significant neurologic deficits.
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Comparative Study
Anterior or posterior approach of thoracic disc herniation? A comparative cohort of mini-transthoracic versus transpedicular discectomies.
The optimal surgical treatment of thoracic disc herniations remains controversial and depends on the consistency of the herniation and its location related to the spinal cord. ⋯ Surgical treatment of a symptomatic herniated disc contributed to a clinical improvement in most cases. The approach is dependent on the location, the magnitude, and the consistency of the herniated thoracic disc. Medially located large calcified discs should be operated through an anterolateral approach, whereas noncalcified or lateral herniated discs can be treated from a posterior approach as well. For optimal treatment of this rare entity, the treatment should be performed in selected centers.
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It has been claimed that lumbar radiculopathy induced by foraminal disc herniations had poorer outcome and different clinical features, including: 1-more progressive onset, but shorter duration between the first sign and request of medical care; 2-more severe radiculopathy; 3-less frequent/severe back pain; 4-less limitation of straight leg raising (SLR); 5-more frequent neurologic deficiencies; 6-poorer outcome. ⋯ Despite differences in clinical presentation, the outcome of radiculopathy induced by the more lateral lumbar disc herniations was not worse than the outcome of patients with only medial disc herniations. Previous claims of poorer outcome in foraminal herniations might be explained by the inclusion of patients with associated foraminal stenosis.