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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Randomized Controlled Trial
Do analgesics improve functioning in patients with chronic low back pain? An explorative triple-blinded RCT.
TREATMENT of patients with chronic low back pain (CLBP) aims to reduce disability, improve functional capacity, and participation. Time contingent prescription of analgesics is a treatment modality in CLBP. The impact of analgesics on functional capacity is unknown. Aim of the study was to explore the effect of analgesics on functioning measured by functional capacity evaluation, and self-reported disability in patients with CLBP. ⋯ Overall treatment effects were small and non-significant. A subgroup, however, reported improved functioning as a result of treatment. Responders had lower catastrophizing scores.
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Multicenter Study
The prevalence and severity of low back pain and associated symptoms in 3,009 old men.
The aim of this study is to evaluate the prevalence and severity of low back pain (LBP) and the influence of sciatica and neurological deficits in old men. ⋯ The 1-year prevalence of LBP in community living men aged 69-81 years was close to 50% but for individuals with LBP or LBP + SCI the morbidity was low with more than two-thirds having no limitations in ADL. In men with LBP + SCI + NEU more than one-third rated the pain as severe and close to half had limitations in ADL.
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Comparative Study Clinical Trial
One-stage anterior debridement, bone grafting and posterior instrumentation vs. single posterior debridement, bone grafting, and instrumentation for the treatment of thoracic and lumbar spinal tuberculosis.
The aim of this study was to compare single posterior debridement, interbody fusion and instrumentation with one-stage anterior debridement, interbody fusion and posterior instrumentation for treating thoracic and lumbar spinal tuberculosis. ⋯ Anterior debridement and bone grafting with posterior instrumentation may not be the best choice for treating patients with spinal tuberculosis. Single posterior debridement/bone grafting/instrumentation for single-segment of thoracic or lumbar spine tuberculosis produced good clinical results, except in patients who had a psoas abscess.
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Comparative Study Clinical Trial
Surgical site infection in spinal surgery: a comparative study between 2-octyl-cyanoacrylate and staples for wound closure.
Surgical site infection (SSI) after spinal surgery is a devastating complication. Various methods of skin closure are used in spinal surgery, but the optimal skin-closure method remains unclear. A recent report recommended against the use of metal staples for skin closure in orthopedic surgery. 2-Octyl-cyanoacrylate (Dermabond; Ethicon, NJ, USA) has been widely applied for wound closure in various surgeries. In this cohort study, we assessed the rate of SSI in spinal surgery using metal staples and 2-octyl-cyanoacrylate for wound closure. ⋯ This study reveals that in spinal surgery, wound closure using 2-octyl-cyanoacrylate was associated with a lower rate of SSI than wound closure with staples. Moreover, the use of 2-octyl-cyanoacrylate has a more time saving effect and cost-effectiveness than the use of staples in wound closure of 10 cm in length.
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Comparative Study Clinical Trial
A comparison of magnetic resonance imaging with electrodiagnostic findings in the evaluation of clinical radiculopathy: a cross-sectional study.
The aim of this study was to evaluate the agreement of magnetic resonance imaging and electrodiagnostic studies by comparing their findings in patients with clinically suspected radiculopathy. The agreements between these two procedures and clinical findings were also examined. ⋯ This study further supports that these two methods are complementary in general. It is reasonable to add EDX when there is discrepancy between MRI and clinical findings or when MRI neurologic findings are not visible.