Instructional course lectures
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The symptoms associated with lumbar spinal stenosis can decrease quality of life and may cause patients to seek treatment. Except in rare cases of rapid neurologic progression or cauda equina syndrome, nonsurgical modalities should be the initial treatment choice. Activity modification, a variety of medications, epidural steroid injections, and other methods are recommended for pain reduction. ⋯ Arthrodesis, either with or without instrumentation, is also indicated in some patients. Several studies report that surgical treatment produces better outcomes than nonsurgical treatment in the short term; however, the results tend to deteriorate with time. Lumbar decompressive surgery can be complicated by epidural hematoma, deep venous thrombosis, dural tear, infection, nerve root injury, and recurrence of symptoms.
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One of the primary goals in the perioperative care of orthopaedic patients undergoing surgery is the avoidance of allogeneic transfusion. There are a number of ways to lessen blood loss during surgical intervention including regional hypotensive anesthesia, careful and atraumatic surgical technique, and coagulation of bleeding surfaces. ⋯ The use of perioperative recombinant erythropoietin is also a useful adjunct to promote stimulation of the bone marrow and increased red cell production. Although many infectious diseases that are transmitted through allogeneic blood transfusions have been lessened by better screening techniques, there is still potential life threatening reactions and viral transmissions that may be avoided by comprehensive blood management in joint arthroplasty.
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Adolescent idiopathic scoliosis is a three-dimensional deformity of the spine. Despite active efforts by different research teams, the etiology of scoliosis remains unclear. Treatment of scoliosis requires a solid understanding of the natural history of the disorder as well as sound clinical judgment. ⋯ Bracing is the only nonsurgical measure proven to have any effect on halting the progression of scoliosis. Other forms of conservative treatment have not been shown to significantly modify the natural history of idiopathic scoliosis. Bracing results are directly related to compliance with brace treatment; therefore, optimal results cannot be achieved without the patient's cooperation and family support.
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The Lenke and associates classification system of adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) was developed to provide a comprehensive and reliable means to categorize all surgical AIS curves. This classification system requires analysis of the upright coronal and sagittal radiographs along with the supine side bending radiographic views. The triad classification system consists of a curve type (1-6), a lumbar spine modifier (A, B, C), and a sagittal thoracic modifier (-, N, +). ⋯ The recommendations are that the major and structural minor curves are included in the instrumentation and fusion and the nonstructural minor curves are excluded. Overall, the classification system is treatment directed; however, there are other aspects of the radiographic and clinical deformity that may suggest deviation from the recommendations of the classification system. The ultimate goal of this classification system is to allow organization of similar curve patterns to provide comparisons of various treatment methods to provide optimal treatment for each AIS surgical patient.
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Posterior pelvic ring injuries disrupt the weight-bearing function of the pelvis and cause deformity that results in pain and loss of function. The indications for reduction and fixation are the presence of instability and/or deformity. ⋯ Although techniques exist for both open and closed reductions, the main dfficulty remains achieving anatomic restoration of the pelvis. Whether posterior pelvic ring injuries are best treated using closed reduction and fixation or open reduction and fixation remains a controversial topic.