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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In this prospective study the purpose was to evaluate patients with lumbar-disc herniation regarding changes in back-muscle fatigue and subjective health measurements 2 years after surgery. ⋯ Both EMG and endurance time measurements are needed for evaluating fatigue in lumbar-disc herniation.
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Surgical treatment is mandatory for spinal pseudarthrosis in advanced ankylosing spondylitis (AS) patients with painful sagittal deformity and/or neurological deficits. However, the most effective and safe surgical procedure for AS-related symptomatic thoracolumbar pseudarthrosis is still controversial. The purpose of this study is to explore the outcomes of pedicle subtraction osteotomy (PSO) at the level of pseudarthrotic lesion combined with supplemental anterior fusion for patients suffering from kyphotic pseudarthrosis in AS. ⋯ PSO can be safely performed through the site of pseudarthrotic lesion in AS patients with pseudarthrosis and kyphotic deformity. After PSO, supplemental anterior fusion is sometimes necessary to support the anterior and middle column in a second stage if there is a bone defect in the osteotomy site.
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Cartilage endplate (CEP) degeneration is usually accompanied by loss of cellularity, and this loss may be a crucial key factor in initiation and development of degenerative disc disease. The study of cell types in degenerated CEP could help in understanding CEP etiopathogenesis, and may help in devising new treatments, especially if the presence of progenitor cells could be demonstrated. The aim of this study was to determine if progenitor cells existed in degenerated human CEP. ⋯ We believe that this is the first study which has conclusively shown the presence of progenitor cells in degenerated CEP. The finding of this study may influence the clinical management of degenerative disc disorder.
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Not much is known about musculoskeletal disorders (MSD) in peacekeeping missions and to what extent such conditions are disabling. The objective of this study was to assess the occurrence and severity of MSD in Swedish military personnel on 6 months duty in Afghanistan. ⋯ Musculoskeletal pain was common during peacekeeping mission and gradual onset was dominating. Most often, it did not affect the daily activities. Nevertheless, it may be of important to consider broadening the medical disciplines onsite to provide preventive measures and treatment at an early stage, and thereby reducing the risk of chronicity.
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Pelvic tilt is an established measure of position which has been tied to sagittal plane spinal deformity. Increased tilt is noted in the setting of the aging spine and sagittal malalignment syndromes such as flatback (compensatory mechanism). However, the femoral heads are often poorly visualized on sagittal films of scoliosis series in adults, limiting the ability to determine pelvic incidence and tilt. There is a need to establish a coronal plane (better visualization) pelvic parameter which correlates closely with pelvic tilt. ⋯ The pelvic tilt is an essential measure in the context of radiographic evaluation of spinal deformity and malalignment. Given the routinely excellent visibility of coronal films this study established the SFP as a coronal parameter which can reliably estimate pelvic tilt. The high correlation and predictive ability of the SFP angle should prompt further study and clinical application when lateral radiographs do not permit assessment of pelvic parameters.