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 coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic led to a compulsory lockdown of 3 months with strict restrictions. The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic has shown broad repercussions on patients with chronic pain; especially for conditions that present a significant emotional participation such as chronic low back pain (cLBP). ⋯ Lockdown affected the somatic component of cLBP by decreasing activities and physical measures, whereas the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic spectrum paradoxically improved the psychic and emotional component of cLBP.
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To evaluate the effect of homogeneous spinal-shortening axial decompression procedure (HSAD) on bladder function in patients with spina bifida tethered syndrome. ⋯ The HSAD can significantly restore the bladder function in patients with long-term urinary incontinence.
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Surgical treatment of thoracolumbar A3-fractures usually comprises posterior fixation-in neutral position or distraction-potentially followed by subsequent anterior support. We hypothesized that additional posterior compression in circumferential stabilization may increase stability by locking the facets, and better restore the sagittal profile. ⋯ Among different surgical modifications tested, circumferential fixation with final posterior compression as the last step resulted in superior stability and improved sagittal alignment. Thus, posterior compression as the last step is recommended in these pathologies.
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Review Meta Analysis
The flexion relaxation phenomenon in nonspecific chronic low back pain: prevalence, reproducibility and flexion-extension ratios. A systematic review and meta-analysis.
The flexion relaxation phenomenon (FRP) is characterized by the reduction of paraspinal muscle activity at maximum trunk flexion. The FRP is reported to be altered (persistence of spinal muscle activity) in nonspecific chronic low back pain (NSCLBP) and is considered a promising biomarker. The aim of this systematic review was to synthetize current knowledge on FRP in the NSCLBP population regarding prevalence, the reliability of FRP measurement using surface electromyography (sEMG), the average value, and variation of the relaxation ratios (RR). ⋯ An altered FRP is frequently found in NSCLBP population using sEMG and the test has a good reproducibility. The difference between asymptomatic and NSCLBP FRR was significant. Nevertheless, considering the high heterogeneity observed, additional research is required to confirm the value of RR.
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Multicenter Study
Compensatory mechanisms recruited against proximal junctional kyphosis by patients instrumented from the thoracolumbar junction to the iliac.
The compensatory mechanisms recruited by un-instrumented patients against sagittal imbalance are well documented. However, there is a lack of information regarding instrumented patients. ⋯ In patients fused from the TL junction to the iliac, those having greater postoperative pelvic rotation reserve showed greater capacity to recruit compensatory mechanisms against PJK/PJF.