Spine
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A retrospective descriptive casenote review of consecutive back pain claimants assessing claim outcome at 12 months from onset. ⋯ New Zealand's unique accident compensation environment may discourage return to work for people with back pain. New Zealand legislators should assess the impact of the ACC scheme on people with back pain, particularly in light of the recent recommendations of the International Association for the Study of Pain Task Force on Back Pain in the Workplace, that compensation cover for workers with back pain be limited to 6 weeks.
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A technique for posterior cervical hemilaminectomy reconstruction is described. ⋯ The advantages of this technique are restoration of normal anatomy, technical ease, and simplicity. A modification of this technique in children by using absorbable rather than metal plates should allow for normal spine growth.
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The literature on psychological factors in neck and back pain was systematically searched and reviewed. ⋯ Psychological factors play a significant role not only in chronic pain, but also in the etiology of acute pain, particularly in the transition to chronic problems. Specific types of psychological variables emerge and may be important in distinct developmental time frames, also implying that assessment and intervention need to reflect these variables. Still, psychological factors account for only a portion of the variance, thereby highlighting the multidimensional view. Because the methodologic quality of the studies varied considerably, future research should focus on improving quality and addressing new questions such as the mechanism, the developmental time factor, and the relevance that these risk factors have for intervention.
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Comparative ex vivobiomechanical study. ⋯ Augmentation with Orthocomp results in similar or greater mechanical properties compared with Simplex P, but these biomechanical results have yet to be substantiated in clinical studies.
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A case report. ⋯ Atlantoaxial instability may cause insufficiency of the vertebral artery as well as spinal cord injury. More attention should be paid to the possible relation between atlantoaxial instability and vertebrobasilar artery insufficiency.