Spine
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Comparative Study
Chronic widespread pain in patients with occupational spinal disorders: prevalence, psychiatric comorbidity, and association with outcomes.
A prospective study assessing chronic widespread pain (CWP) and psychiatric comorbidities in patients with chronic disabling occupational spinal disorders (CDOSDs). ⋯ A surprisingly high frequency of CDOSD patients participating in interdisciplinary rehabilitation met criteria for CWP, though the diagnosis was generally unknown to the patient. In this large workers' compensation cohort, CWP was not associated with longer periods of disability, more prerehabilitation surgery or higher pain self-report. With appropriate rehabilitation, CWP patients can have equally successful work return and health utilization outcomes compared to non-CWP patients, despite having significantly higher rates of certain psychiatric disorders.
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A case of cervical myelopathy with a severe nape and upper arm pain caused by anomalous bilateral vertebral arteries is reported. ⋯ Anomalous vertebral arteries should be included in the differential diagnosis of the upper cervical lesion of unknown origin. The microsurgical decompression with presented technique has relieved the symptoms for over 6(1/2) years.
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Multicenter Study Comparative Study
Cross-cultural adaptation and validation of the Norwegian version of the Tampa scale for kinesiophobia.
Translation, cross-cultural adaptation, and validation of a self-report questionnaire. ⋯ The Norwegian version of the TSK was easily comprehended and demonstrated satisfactory validity and reliability for the assessment of fear of movement and/or (re)injury in patients with sciatica due to disc herniation. However, responsiveness was low to moderate.
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Sequential cross-sectional analysis. ⋯ Nation-wide vertebroplasty volumes and inflation-adjusted charges doubled from 2001 to 2005 in this Medicare population. Procedure rates varied considerablyby state. Almost all cases involved fluoroscopic guidance; procedures treating multiple vertebral levels were not uncommon. Procedures performed in free-standing facilities are of growing importance. Given the issues surrounding appropriate vertebroplasty use, future practice patterns and outcomes should be closely tracked.
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Comparative Study
Gene expression changes in dorsal root ganglion of rat experimental lumber disc herniation models.
Comprehensive overviews of gene expression changes in dorsal root ganglion (DRG) were obtained using microarrays in 2 rat models of experimental lumbar disc herniation (LDH). ⋯ Mechanical and chemical factors caused altered gene expression in the DRG at 7 days after surgery, suggesting that the mechanisms of nerve injury induced by these factors differ. The upregulation of IGF-1 might be a key factor in painful radiculopathy induced by mechanical factors.