Spine
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A prospective cohort study with 1-year follow-up. ⋯ The incidence, especially for NSP, is much lower than from developed countries. To study prevalence, incidence and recurrence of LBP and NSP simultaneously leads to a better understanding of the natural pattern and distribution of LBP and NSP in a working population.
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A cross-sectional study to evaluate the long-term result of posterolateral (PLF), anterior (AF), and circumferential fusion (CF) for isthmic spondylolisthesis. ⋯ The clinical outcome was best in the CF group as measured by ODI. Degenerative changes were most commonly found at the level of the slip and above the fusion level. The prevalence of disc prolapses was low. Spinal fusion for isthmic spondylolysis is not associated with central canal stenosis above the fusion. Radiologic nerve root stenosis was common but asymptomatic. Mild muscle atrophy was common.
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Comparative Study
Sagittal alignment of the spine and pelvis in the presence of L5-s1 isthmic lysis and low-grade spondylolisthesis.
A radiographic study of 82 patients with L5-S1 spondylolysis or spondylolisthesis of less than 50% displacement of L5 on S1. ⋯ These data suggest that differences in the sagittal alignment of the spine and pelvis may influence the biomechanical environment that results in the development of spondylolysis and progressive spondylolisthesis.
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Prospective observational study. ⋯ These results show that patients with chronic low back pain should be encouraged to continue working up until surgery.
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In vivo histologic study of nerve ingrowth in the rabbit anular-puncture disc degeneration model. ⋯ This study indicates that in the rabbit anular-puncture disc degeneration model, disc degeneration associated with a higher nerve growth into the scar tissue was more evident when induced by a 5 mm than a 1 mm puncture. Although nerve ingrowth was observed in the extruded disc tissue, nerve ingrowth into the outer anulus, which has been reported in patients with discogenic pain, was not observed during the short observation period in this disc degeneration model. The limitation in assessing pain by behavior analysis or histologic evaluation of nerve ingrowth should be considered. Further studies to identify a surrogate marker of pain should be encouraged.