Spine
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One-year prospective study of 141 acute whiplash patients (WLP) and 40 acute ankle-injured controls. ⋯ The Risk Assessment score is suggested as a valuable tool for grading WLP early after injury. It has reasonable screening power for encountering work disability and reflects the biopsychosocial nature of whiplash injuries.
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Retrospective subgroup analysis of prospectively collected data according to treatment received. ⋯ Patients with SS with fewer than 12 months of symptoms experienced significantly better outcomes with surgical and nonsurgical treatment relative to those with symptom duration greater than 12 months. There was no difference in the outcome of patients with degenerative spondylolisthesis according to symptom duration.
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An anatomic study of anterior cervical dissection of 11 embalmed cadavers and measurement of structures relative to cervical spine. ⋯ On the basis this study, spine surgeons can have enhanced knowledge of high anterior cervical anatomy. The neurovascular structures in this study did not demonstrate side-to-side anatomic variation; therefore, patient pathology and surgeon preference should dictate the operative side.
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Focused discussion. ⋯ Care must be taken by both researchers and their audiences not to overgeneralize or confuse different aspects of WAD compensation. In considering the role of compensation/compensation-related factors on WAD and WAD recovery, it is important to retain a broad-based conceptualization of the range of biological, psychological, social, and economic factors that combine and interact to define and determine how people recover from WAD.
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Retrospective review. ⋯ Significant alterations in swallowing mechanics can accompany c-spine surgery with anterior plating. A number of these changes improve over time, leaving patients with relatively minor impairment; however, some appear to be long-lasting. Education and dysphagia therapy can be useful treatment adjuncts.