Spine
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A longitudinal magnetic resonance imaging investigation of lumbar disc degeneration in asymptomatic individuals was conducted. ⋯ The results indicate that the extent of disc herniation, the lack of sports activities, and night shift work are significant risk factors for the development of lumbar disc degeneration and its progression.
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Comparative Study
Comparison of outcomes for unstable lower cervical flexion teardrop fractures managed with halo thoracic vest versus anterior corpectomy and plating.
A retrospective cohort study with cross-sectional outcome analysis was conducted. ⋯ The results of this study indicate that anterior cervical plating is a safe and effective treatment for cervical teardrop fractures, and that it is superior to the halo thoracic vest for restoring and maintaining sagittal alignment and for minimizing treatment failures. There does not appear to be a relation between residual kyphosis and health-related quality-of-life outcomes. Although this raises questions about the relevance of restoring sagittal alignment in the treatment and outcome of cervical flexion teardrop fractures, the study was underpowered for secondary outcomes. Therefore, the secondary outcome results must be interpreted with caution.
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A cross-sectional study was conducted. ⋯ Daily backpack carrying is a frequent cause of discomfort for schoolchildren. There is an association between this load and back pain, although the relationship is not direct. The results suggest the existence of personal physical and psychological factors that need to be investigated. Reduction of the daily backpack load borne by schoolchildren is recommended both on the basis of the current results and because it exceeds, proportionally, the legal load limits set for adults. All the different parties involved (school system, parents, children) play a role, and if the aim is to reduce this "weight of culture," all should be targeted through specific interventions. Recommendations are supplied for the achievement of this aim.
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A retrospective follow-up study of adolescent idiopathic scoliosis after Harrington instrumentation and spondylodesis was conducted. ⋯ In patients with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis who undergo surgery with Harrington instrumentation, the overall long-term clinical outcome does not correlate with the radiologic outcome. However, a significant inverse correlation was found between the magnitude of the primary thoracic curve at follow-up assessment and the scores for questions on cosmetic matters in the Scoliosis Research Society questionnaire. Spine mobility is diminished as a result of spondylodesis, but the patients perform, on the average, as well as the normal population in nondynamometric trunk strength measurements.