Spine
-
A morphometric study of lumbar vertebral pedicular parameters in cadavers and comparison with previous studies in the literature was conducted. ⋯ On the basis of this limited study in a subset of the Indian population, it appears that the transverse diameter and pedicle entrance point differ from those in the white population. The results suggest that a 5-mm screw would be safer in the upper lumbar levels (L1, L2), and 6-mm screw in the lower lumbar levels (L3-L5). The pedicle entrance point migrates laterally for lower lumbar levels, especially at L5. The medial pedicle cortex can be safely sounded while the pedicle is probed.
-
For a single L5 radicular lesion produced by constant, localized compression, sequential changes of epidurally recorded potentials after sciatic nerve stimulation or direct L5 root stimulation were compared with those after indirect L5 root stimulation with a collision technique in rats. ⋯ The present animal experiment demonstrated that the collision technique improved the sensitivity of the lumbosacral-evoked potential for a single radicular lesion. With this technique, the evoked potential study in the clinical domain will identify conduction abnormalities more consistently than peripheral nerve stimulation alone.
-
Immunohistochemical examination of the expression and localization of neurofilament (NF) proteins and growth-associated protein (GAP)-43 in spinal hyperostotic (twy/twy) mice with progressive compression of the cervical spinal cord. ⋯ The results showed that the expression of NF proteins and GAP-43 in the white matter increased proportionally with the magnitude of spinal cord compression, and indicated the possible involvement of GAP-43 in both axonal degeneration and repair processes in the chronically compressed spinal cord.
-
Review Comparative Study
Standard scales for measurement of functional outcome for cervical pain or dysfunction: a systematic review.
A systematic review was conducted. ⋯ The five scales identified in this study have similar characteristics. The Neck Disability Index, however, has been revalidated more times for evaluation of patient groups. For individual patient follow-up evaluation, the Patient-Specific Functional Scale has high sensitivity to change, and thus represents a good choice for clinical use. The final choice should be tailored according to the target population and the purpose of the evaluation.
-
Review of advances in the primary care research on low back pain (LBP) from a unique international forum, and analysis of open-ended questionnaires from participants. ⋯ The Fourth Forum reflected a major shift in the conceptualization of LBP in primary care and an increased emphasis on implementation and dissemination of LBP research findings and clinical guidelines. Although there is a wide array of challenges ahead, the Fourth Forum provided a clear message regarding the need to focus research energies on changing practitioner behavior.