The spine journal : official journal of the North American Spine Society
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Although numerous studies have reported on the loss of flexion-extension range of motion (ROM) associated with laminoplasty, few have reported on the time course of this loss of motion for a long-term follow-up period. ⋯ These results suggest that the loss of cervical ROM after laminoplasty is time-dependent, and patients with OPLL and laminar autofusion had less ROM. Postlaminoplasty ROM reduction can recover after several years, unless laminar autofusion occurs.
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Thoracic pedicle screw (TPS) constructs have improved curve correction measurements compared with hook and hybrid constructs in the treatment of adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS), but the optimal implant density, or the number of screws per level, remains unknown in the treatment of flexible thoracic curves. ⋯ We identified no clinical, radiographic, perioperative, or complication-related advantage of constructs with higher TPS implant density in this patient cohort with flexible idiopathic scoliosis. Cost was significantly higher with HD constructs in comparison with LD constructs. Optimal implant density chosen by the surgeon should rely on a number of factors including curve magnitude and rigidity, bone density, and desired correction.
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It is suggested that the shape of the vertebral end plates may play a role in the development of abnormalities in the intervertebral disc. On midsagittal magnetic resonance images of the spine in patients with lumbar intervertebral disc herniation, a notable disproportion frequently exists between the end plates of two vertebrae to which the disc is attached. There is apparently no study in the literature examining possible association of this disproportion with development of disc herniation. ⋯ Difference of end plate is a significant and probably independent risk factor for lumbar disc herniation.
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The evidence surrounding the topic of adjacent segment degeneration and disease has increased dramatically with an abundant amount of literature discussing the incidence of and techniques to avoid it. However, this evidence is often confusing to discern because of various definitions of both adjacent segment degeneration and disease. ⋯ Adjacent segment disease and degeneration remain a multifactorial problem with several techniques being developed recently to minimize them. In the future, it is likely that the popularity of these techniques will be dependent on the long-term results, which are currently unavailable.
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Controversies persist for the best treatment of burst fractures of the thoracolumbar spine. Anterior corpectomy and discectomy followed by reconstruction with intervertebral cage and posterior fixation, for example, are based mainly on the widespread assumption that intervertebral discs involved in burst-type fractures, typically, do not survive the traumatic event and will degenerate irrevocably. ⋯ Intervertebral discs adjacent to traumatic burst fractures treated with pedicle screw instrumentation and direct end-plate restoration do not routinely seem to progress to severe degeneration at 12 to 18 months postinjury.