European spine journal : official publication of the European Spine Society, the European Spinal Deformity Society, and the European Section of the Cervical Spine Research Society
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Comparative Study
Biomechanical analysis of expansion screws and cortical screws used for ventral plate fixation on the cervical spine.
Compared to bicortical screws, the surgical risk of injuring intraspinal structures can be minimized with the use of monocortical screws. However, this reduction should not be achieved at the expense of the stability of the fixation. With monocortical stabilization, the expansion screws have the potential of absorbing high loads. ⋯ Both plates revealed similar primary stability. Revision surgeries with secondary instrumentation achieve a high stiffness of the screwed up segments. Monocortical expansion screws combined with a trapezoidal plate allow ventral stabilization of the cervical spine that is comparable to the plate fixation using bicortical screws.
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The design of the study includes case series, technical note and review of the literature. Autogenous bone graft (autograft) harvest from the iliac crest remains the gold standard substrate for spinal fusion. Persistent donor-site pain is the most common cause of morbidity after autograft harvest, occurring in one-third of patients. ⋯ Twelve patients underwent autograft harvest with iliac spine reconstruction using Calcium Phosphate Cement. 42% (5) had persistent donor-site pain (after 3 months). All pain scores were less than or equal to 2 out of 10 (mean 1.25). In conclusion, iliac spine reconstruction using Calcium Phosphate Cement following autogenous bone graft harvest is a relatively simple procedure which failed to decrease the incidence of donor-site morbidity in our patient population.
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The objective was to determine whether any measurable changes in sensory responses, kinesthetic sense, cervical motion, and psychological features were related to established fatty infiltration values in the cervical extensor musculature in subjects with persistent whiplash. It is unknown if fatty infiltrate is related to any signs or symptoms. Data on motor function, Quantitative Sensory Testing, psychological and general well-being, and pain and disability were collected from 79 female subjects with chronic whiplash. ⋯ Combined factors of sensory, physical, kinesthetic, and psychological features all contributed to a small extent in explaining the varying levels of fatty infiltrate, with cold pain thresholds having the most influence (r (2) = 0.28; P = 0.02). Identifying and relating quantifiable muscular alterations to clinical measures in the chronic state, underpin some clinical hypotheses for possible pathophysiological processes in this group with a chronic and recalcitrant whiplash disorder. Future research investigations aimed at accurate identification, sub-classification, prediction, and management of patients with acute and chronic whiplash is warranted and underway.