Spine
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Randomized Controlled Trial
Treatment expectations and preferences as predictors of outcome of acupuncture for chronic back pain.
Preplanned secondary analysis of data from participants receiving acupuncture in a randomized clinical trial. ⋯ Pretreatment expectations and preferences for acupuncture were not found predictive of treatment outcomes for patients with chronic back pain. These results differ from previous studies evaluating acupuncture for chronic back pain. These inconsistent results suggest that the relationship between expectations and outcomes may be more complex than previously believed.
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Randomized Controlled Trial
Transpedicular fixation in management of thoracolumbar burst fractures: monosegmental fixation versus short-segment instrumentation.
A prospective clinical trial was conducted. ⋯ In conclusion, radiologic parameters demonstrated that both MSPI and SSPI are the effective and reliable operative techniques for selected thoracolumbar burst fractures. MSPI shortened the operative time and decreased the amount of blood loss significantly and, thus, offered better clinical results. Nevertheless, long-term studies are supposed to be performed to support the outcomes.
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Randomized Controlled Trial
Is the outcome of caudal epidural injections affected by patient positioning?
A prospective, randomized controlled trial. ⋯ Laying a patient on the side of their leg pain after a caudal epidural injection has a beneficial effect on the degree of pain relief. We recommend that this simple and safe maneuver be introduced routinely after administering a caudal epidural injection, to aid in the eventual outcome of a potentially difficult clinical problem.