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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The purpose of this study was to analyze explanted PEEK rod spinal systems in the context of their clinical indications. We evaluated damage to the implant and histological changes in explanted periprosthetic tissues. ⋯ This study documents the surface changes and tissue reactions for retrieved PEEK rod stabilization systems. Permanent indentations by the set screws and pedicle screws were the most prevalent observations on the surface of explanted PEEK rods.
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Haematological markers currently used to investigate TB spine vary from WCC, Anaemia, ESR and CRP. Platelet count in TB spine as a marker has been inadequately investigated. ⋯ A raised platelet count in spinal pathology may be used as an inflammatory marker of TB spondylitis.
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Local dynamic stability of trunk movements quantified by means of the maximum Lyapunov exponent (λmax) can provide information on trunk motor control and might offer a measure of trunk control in low-back pain patients. It is unknown how many repetitions are necessary to obtain sufficiently precise estimates of λmax and whether fatigue effects on λmax can be avoided while increasing the number of repetitions. ⋯ The data provided allow for an informed choice of the number of repetitions in assessing local dynamic stability of trunk movements, weighting the gain in precision against the increase in measurement effort. Within the 100 repetitions tested, fatigue did not affect results. We suggest that increased stability during asymmetric movement may be explained by higher co-activation of trunk muscles.
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A retrospective review of prospectively collected data in an academic institution. ⋯ The new type of TMC provides comparable clinical results and fusion rates with the traditional TMC for patients undergoing single-level corpectomy. The new design TMC decreases postoperative subsidence (compared to the traditional TMC); the unique design of the new type of TMC matches the vertebral endplate morphology which appears to decrease the severity of subsidence-related neck pain in follow-up.
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Reduced strength and stiffness of lumbar spinal motion segments following laminectomy may lead to instability. Factors that predict shear biomechanical properties of the lumbar spine were previously published. The purpose of the present study was to predict spinal torsion biomechanical properties with and without laminectomy from a total of 21 imaging parameters. ⋯ Vertebral bone content and geometry, i.e. intervertebral disc width, frontal area and facet joint tropism, were found to be strong predictors of ETS, LTS and TMF following laminectomy, suggesting that these variables could predict the possible development of post-operative rotational instability following lumbar laminectomy. Proposed diagnostic parameters might aid surgical decision-making when deciding upon the use of instrumentation techniques.