Spine
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Comparative Study
The reliability and construct validity of the Neck Disability Index and patient specific functional scale in patients with cervical radiculopathy.
Cohort study of patients with cervical radiculopathy undergoing physical therapy. ⋯ Our results suggest that the PSFS exhibits superior reliability, construct validity, and responsiveness in this cohort of patients with cervical radiculopathy compared with the NDI. Further research is needed to examine the ability of these measures to accurately reflect changes in individuals, as well as large samples of patients.
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The placement of percutaneous posterior cervical screws using three-dimensional fluoroscopic guidance was performed in intact human cadaver specimens. ⋯ This study demonstrates the feasibility of placing percutaneous posterior cervical screws. Three-dimensional fluoroscopy appears to enable highly accurate, percutaneous three-dimensional cervical spine navigation.
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We collected the specimens of lumbar intervertebral disc (i.e., the symptomatic degenerative disc) from patients with discogenic low back pain to study the histopathologic features and growth factor expressions. ⋯ The findings indicated that degeneration of the painful disc might originate from the injury and subsequent repair of anulus fibrosus. Growth factors, such as bFGF and TGF-beta1, macrophages and mast cells might play a key role in the repair of the injured anulus fibrosus and subsequent disc degeneration.
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Retrospective data review of positive disc injections at low pressures among subjects without chronic low back pain (LBP) illness compared to patients with chronic LBP undergoing Discography. ⋯ The analysis shows that the rate of low-pressure painful injections in subjects without chronic LBP illness is approximately 25%, and correlates with both anatomic and psychosocial factors. In certain subgroups, this may represent an unacceptable risk of false-positive results.