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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Review Case Reports
Cervical synovial cysts: case report and review of the literature.
The authors describe the case of a 58-year-old man with a 6-month history of severe myelopathy. CT scan and MRI of the spine revealed a cystic formation, measuring about 1 cm in diameter, at C7-T1 at a right posterolateral site at the level of the articular facet. At operation the mass appeared to originate from the ligamentum flavum at the level of the articular facet and was in contact with the dura mater. ⋯ There may also be a hypointense rim on T2-weighted images, which enhances after i.v. administration of gadolinium. Surgical treatment consists of removal of the mass. Fixation of the vertebral segments involved is not always necessary.
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Review
Is there a rational basis for post-surgical lifting restrictions? 2. Possible scientific approach.
Lifting restrictions postoperatively are quite common but there appears to be little scientific basis for them. Lifting restricitions are inhibitory in terms of return to work and may be a factor in chronicity. The mean changes in functional spinal motion unit (FSU) stiffness with in vitro or computer-simulated discectomies, facetectomies and laminectomies were reviewed from the literature. ⋯ The adjusted NIOSH guidelines provide a reasonable way to estimate weight restrictions and accomodations such as lifting aids. Such resitrictions should be as liberal as possible so as to facilitate, not prevent, return to work. Patients need more advice regarding lifting activities and clinicians should be more knowledgeable about the working conditions and constraints of a given workplace to effectively match the solution to the patient's condition.
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Lifting restrictions postoperatively are quite common, but there appears to be little scientific basis for them. Lifting restrictions are inhibitory in terms of return to work and may be a factor in chronicity. The mean functional spinal motion unit stiffness changes with in vitro or computer-simulated discectomies, facetectomies and laminectomies were reviewed from the literature. ⋯ The adjusted NIOSH guidelines provide a reasonable way to estimate weight restrictions and accommodations such as lifting aids. Such restrictions should be as liberal as possible so as to facilitate, not prevent, return to work. Patients need more advice regarding lifting activities and clinicians should be more knowledgeable about the working conditions and constraints of a given workplace to effectively match the solution to the patient's condition.
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Low back pain (LBP) among children and adolescents has become the subject of an increasing amount of literature over the last 15 years. This topic, which was considered almost insignificant less than two decades ago, was the focus of a recent international meeting organised in Grenoble (France) in March 1999. This review paper is the result of an literature update search performed by members of three groups which have been active in this field for many years. Current epidemiological data on LBP is summarized as well as the role of the major risk factors according to studies published in the principal peer reviewed journals interested in the topic.