Spine
-
This in vivo study was performed to examine active lumbar motion without any support. ⋯ The greatest segmental flexibility induced by the moderate lumbar motion, usually seen with the activities of daily living, occurred more in the upper segments of the lumbar spine, especially in flexion. Further, the iliolumbar ligaments regulate lumbosacral motion especially flexion.
-
Comparative Study
Symptoms, signs, and functional disability in adult spondylolisthesis.
A cross-sectional clinical study. ⋯ The clinical pattern and functional disability in adult spondylolisthesis and in low back pain of nonspecific origin are similar. Sciatica in adult spondylolisthesis is typically not associated with a positive straight leg raising test result.
-
The Mississippi spinal cord injury surveillance system is both active and passive, designed to capture all cases of spinal cord injury through mandated reporting by multiple sources. Each case is confirmed by medical record review. ⋯ Mississippi's spinal cord injury incidence rates are substantially higher than rates reported for other states except Alaska. The surveillance system was found to be very complete. Prevention efforts should focus on increasing safety belt usage, increasing alcohol awareness, and reducing violence.
-
Report of a successfully diagnosed and treated case of spinal cord compression due to epidural actinomycosis. ⋯ High clinical suspicion and proper use of imaging data led to timely diagnosis of this rare case of mediastinal, epidural, and intramuscular thoracic actinomycosis. Specific antibiotic therapy and timely, well-targeted surgical intervention greatly improve the outcome of this condition.
-
A review of 141 consecutive patients who underwent instrumented circumferential lumbar fusions. Outcome was assessed by an independent third party after a minimum follow-up of 2 years. ⋯ Circumferential lumbar fusion is a useful procedure for a patient with difficult reconstructive disease. There is a very high fusion rate. Overall, 62% of patients are satisfied with the result, especially those with a diagnosis of pseudarthrosis or spondylolisthesis with stenosis. Patients who are working before surgery and patients who are not injured workers also tended to progress well.