Spine
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Thirty-nine adults and five children with active spinal tuberculosis and resulting kyphosis of the dorsal and lumbar spine who had combined posterior instrumentation and anterior interbody fusion were observed to determine whether the corrected spinal deformity could be maintained until solid fusion. ⋯ Posterior instrumental stabilization and anterior interbody fusion were found helpful in arresting the disease early, providing early fusion, preventing progression of kyphosis, and correcting the kyphosis.
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Lower extremity polysynaptic reflexes and descending neurogenic motor and ascending somatosensory activity were recorded. ⋯ Intraoperative lower extremity reflex changes are more sensitive to spinal cord compromise than are changes in long tract function. Lower extremity polysynaptic reflexes monitor the integrated activity of the spinal cord that is responsible for the control of complex motor behavior.
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The influence of initial horizontal weight placement on the loads at the lumbar spine while lifting.
This was a biomechanical study of the effect of the initial horizontal distance between a person lifting and the load. Experimental data were analyzed using a dynamic rigid link model. ⋯ As the horizontal distance at the start of a lift increased, the peak moment acting on the lumbar spine also increased, but the increase was nonlinear. This is explained by a change in the technique of lifting when the distance is 40 cm or greater.
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This report gives the results of a population-based cross-sectional mailed questionnaire, with prospective follow-up of survey responders and nonresponders. ⋯ After considering potential differences in nonresponders, the estimated 1-month prevalence of low back pain was between 35% and 37%. Prevalence figures in survey responders may overestimate the true population prevalence by a modest amount.
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This is a report of a patient with acute spinal epidural hematoma taking aspirin, 250 mg/day. ⋯ Because aspirin is widely used, its role in causing spinal epidural hematoma will remain conjectural. For the present patient, however, it was postulated that aspirin had a major impact on the extent of the epidural bleeding. There should be awareness of a possible link between aspirin and spinal epidural hematoma.