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 Meta Analysis
Virtual reality is effective in the management of chronic low back ache in adults: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.
Chronic low back ache (CLBA) is a common condition that is conventionally managed with physical therapy and analgesics. Recently, virtual reality-based interventions have been tried out in the management of CLBA. Their effectiveness, however has not been established. This meta-analysis aims to find out if the application of VR will lead to better pain relief, as compared to conventional techniques in adults with CLBA. ⋯ VR-based interventions are effective in the management of CLBA in the short term. Further research with longer follow-up is required to evaluate if these improvements are persistent in the long term.
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Review Meta Analysis
Percutaneous radiofrequency ablation and endoscopic neurotomy for lumbar facet joint syndrome: are they good enough?
Lumbar facet joint (LFJ) syndrome is one of the common causes of low back pain (LBP). There are different views on percutaneous and endoscopic radiofrequency. The purpose of this systematic review and meta-analysis is to explore the therapeutic effect of radiofrequency ablation on LBP originating from LFJ and compare the therapeutic effect of percutaneous radiofrequency ablation and endoscopic neurotomy. ⋯ The LBP was significantly relieved shortly after percutaneous radiofrequency ablation. Compared with percutaneous radiofrequency ablation, endoscopic neurotomy seems to have a longer effect. A longer follow-up period is needed to confirm its effectiveness.
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Review Meta Analysis
Iliac crest bone graft versus cell-based grafts to augment spinal fusion: a systematic review and meta-analysis.
Despite successful fusion rates with iliac crest bone graft (ICBG), donor-site morbidity and increased operating time remain a considerable limitation and drive the search for alternatives. In this systematic review, grafts with additional cellular supplementation were compared with ICBG for spinal arthrodesis. We compared safety, efficacy and long-term outcomes, thus providing the current and relevant evidence for orthopaedic surgeons to make informed choices regarding this rapidly developing field. ⋯ Cell-based therapy offers a promising alternative to ICBG in spinal fusion surgery, which could help reduce the associated morbidity to patients. This review found that cell-based therapy is non-inferior to iliac crest bone graft and may offer patients an alternative treatment option with fewer complications and reduced post-operative pain. However, the literature to date is limited by heterogeneity of the cell preparation and grafting process. Future research with a unified approach to the cell preparation process is required to fully delineate the potential advantages of this technology.
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Review Meta Analysis
Surgical techniques and perioperative surgical outcomes after discectomy for calcified lumbar disc herniation: a review and meta-analysis.
Calcified lumbar disc herniation (CLDH) poses surgical challenges due to longstanding disease and adherence of herniated disc to the surrounding neural structures. The data regarding outcomes after surgery for CLDH are limited. This review was conducted to analyse the surgical techniques, perioperative findings and the postoperative clinical outcomes after surgery for CLDH. ⋯ Surgical difficulties in CLDH cases leads to increase in operative time compared to NCLDH. Good clinical outcomes can be obtained with careful planning; the focus of surgery should be on decompression of the neural structures rather than disc removal.
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Review Meta Analysis
Clinical validation of grouping conservative treatments in neck pain for use in a network meta-analysis: a Delphi consensus study.
A network meta-analysis aims to help clinicians make clinical decisions on the most effective treatment for a certain condition. Neck pain is multifactorial, with various classification systems and treatment options. Classifying patients and grouping interventions in clinically relevant treatment nodes for a NMA is essential, but this process is poorly defined. ⋯ With this consensus we clinically validated two neck pain classifications and grouped conservative treatments into 17 well-defined and clinically relevant nodes.