Spine
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Case-control study. ⋯ The algorithm can be used in clinical practice to distinguish acute LS from NSLBP in junior high school athletes, although referral to MRI may be necessary for definitive diagnosis considering the algorithm's sensitivity.Level of Evidence: 4.
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A retrospective, radiographic comparative study conducted in a single academic institution. ⋯ Fulcrum extension, compared to conventional extension, is better at generating lordosis in the lower lumbar spine, thus improving preoperative assessment of stiffness or instability of the lumbar spine. Both extension methods were equally effective at determining the patient-specific maximum HL to assess the flexibility and compensation occurring at the hip, potentially guiding surgical management of patients with degenerative spines.Level of Evidence: 3.
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A retrospective observational study. ⋯ Our data shows that, even for patients with K-line (-) OPLL, a favorable neurological recovery can be expected after LMP in cases in which the OPLL is in the upper cervical spine or the K-line changes to (+) in the neck-extended position. This means that K-line-based predictions of surgical outcomes after LMP should be indicated for patients with OPLL in the middle and lower cervical spine with limited extension mobility.Level of Evidence: 4.
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Prospective cohort. ⋯ Allograft may result in slightly more residual motion at the arthrodesis site 1 year after ACDF. However, there is minimal evidence that PROs are adversely affected by slightly increased residual motion, suggesting that the current definition of pseudarthrosis correlates poorly with clinically significant findings. Additionally, autograft appears to result in superior outcomes in patients who smoke.Level of Evidence: 2.