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JAMA 2022 05;327(17):1688-1699

Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts.

Importance: Lumbar spinal stenosis is a prevalent and disabling cause of low back and leg pain in older persons, affecting an estimated 103 million persons worldwide. Most are treated nonoperatively. Approximately 600 000 surgical procedures are performed in the US each year for lumbar spinal stenosis. Read More

Neurol Clin 2022 May 31;40(2):249-259. Epub 2022 Mar 31.

Department of Neurosurgery, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, 600 Highland Ave, Madison, WI 53792, USA.

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is an autoimmune inflammatory disease that results in demyelination of the central nervous system (CNS). MS affects as many as 350,000 individuals in the United States and commonly presents before the age of 45 years. Patients with MS, as the general population, are likely to encounter degenerative changes of the spine as they age, and this can pose a unique challenge to both patients with MS and physicians, as both conditions can have a great deal of symptomatic overlap despite stark differences in management. Read More

Asian Spine J 2022 Apr 18. Epub 2022 Apr 18.

Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Sengkang General Hospital, Singapore.

Study Design: A systematic review.

Purpose: This study aimed to evaluate the prevalence of coexisting lumbar spondylosis (LS) and knee osteoarthritis (KOA), which has clinical implications on the screening, diagnosis, and management of orthopedic patients.

Overview Of Literature: Due to current global health trends, the number of affected patients is expected to increase substantially. Read More

Exp Clin Transplant 2022 Mar;20(Suppl 1):140-144

From the Nephrology Department, Hamed Al-Essa Organ Transplant Center, Sabah Area, Kuwait.

Nocardiosis is a life-threatening infection in immunocompromised patients. The prevalence of the disease ranges from 2.3% to 5% in renal allograft recipients. Read More

Pain Physician 2022 03;25(2):171-178

Pain Management Centers of America, Paducah, KY and Evansville, IN; LSU Health Science Center, New Orleans, LA.

Background: Chronic spinal pain is the most prevalent chronic disease, with chronic persistent spinal pain lasting longer than one-year reported in 25% to 60% of the patients. Health care expenditures have been escalating and the financial impact on the US economy is growing. Among multiple modalities of treatments available, facet joint interventions and epidural interventions are the most common ones, in addition to surgical interventions and numerous other conservative modalities of treatments. Read More

J Healthc Eng 2022 23;2022:4822747. Epub 2022 Feb 23.

Department of Radiology, Tangshan Gongren Hospital, Angshan, Hebei 063000, China.

As a chronic disease, cervical spondylosis is prone to recurrent attacks as we age if we do not pay attention to protection, which can easily lead to symptoms such as osteophytes and herniated discs. In the early stage of cervical spondylosis, it is possible to alleviate the disease and prevent its aggravation by improving poor cervical posture and increasing cervical activities. This article analyzes the current situation and medical prospect of smart wearable devices with the prevention and treatment of cervical spondylosis in white-collar people as the starting point and smart wearable devices as the focus and provides a detailed analysis of the functions, categories, technologies, and applications of smart wearable devices to provide a technical theoretical basis for the construction of the subsequent research system. Read More

Medicine (Baltimore) 2022 Mar;101(9):e28861

Department of Rehabilitation, Faculty of Health Services and Management, Ningbo College of Health Science, Ningbo, China.

Abstract: Neurogenic cervical spondylosis is the most common type of cervical spondylosis, accounting for approximately 60% percent of the incidence of cervical spondylosis. Cervical spine Long manipulation and sling exercise training (SET) have obtained good therapeutic results in clinical rehabilitation. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of Long manipulation combined with SET on neurogenic cervical spondylosis. Read More

Zhongguo Gu Shang 2022 Feb;35(2):166-71

Shi's Center of Orthopedics and Traumatology, Shuguang Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai 201203, China.

Objective: To explore the clinical efficacy and safety of manual therapy combined with posterior percutaneous endoscopic cervical decompression(PECD) in the treatment of intractable cervical spondylotic radiculopathy.

Methods: From May 2016 to May 2018, 23 CSR patients who responded poorly to conservative treatment for at least 6 weeks underwent the combination management. Firstly, the patients received the posterior percutaneous endoscopic cervical decompression routine care for the following 4 weeks and manual therapy for another 4 weeks. Read More

Medicine (Baltimore) 2022 Feb;101(5):e28743

Department of Spine Surgery, The Second Hospital, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Shandong, PR China.

Abstract: The appearance of atherosclerosis in the carotid artery may be suggest the possibility of atherosclerosis in the spinal cord artery, which can cause spinal cord ischemia and further lead to neural element damage.According to the inclusion and exclude standard, there are 137 patients with cervical spondylotic myelopathy (CSM) incorporating retrospective analysis. These patients were consecutively admitted into The Second Hospital- Cheeloo College of Medicine-Shandong University from January 2016 to December 2018 and have accepted surgical treatment. Read More

Radiol Case Rep 2022 Mar 18;17(3):978-982. Epub 2022 Jan 18.

New York Chiropractic and Physiotherapy Centre, 41/F Langham Place Office Tower, 8 Argyle Street, Hong Kong SAR, China.

Text neck describes an overuse injury of the cervical spine resulting from the repetitive stress of prolonged forward head flexion while looking down on a mobile screen. This case report describes a 24-year-old young man who presented with a 12-month history of head and neck pain and paresthesia of the right upper limb. The patient worked as a YouTuber and has been editing and posting videos on the website for three years. Read More

Acta Biomed 2022 01 19;92(6):e2021313. Epub 2022 Jan 19.

Ludes Lugano Campus, Lugano, Switzerland.

Degenerative spondylolisthesis (DS) is a condition leading to the slippage of one vertebral body over the one below due to degenerative changes resulting in spinal stenosis and producing neurogenic claudication, with or without low back pain. DS prevalence is age and gender specific. Other risk factors mainly include a history of occupational driving, intense manual activity and sedentary work. Read More

Neurosurgery 2022 02;90(2):192-198

Department of Neurologic Surgery, Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, Florida, USA.

Background: Management of degenerative disease of the spine has evolved to favor minimally invasive techniques, including nonrobotic-assisted and robotic-assisted minimally invasive transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (MIS-TLIF). Value-based spending is being increasingly implemented to control rising costs in the US healthcare system. With an aging population, it is fundamental to understand which procedure(s) may be most cost-effective. Read More

J Healthc Eng 2021 17;2021:7245566. Epub 2021 Dec 17.

Neurosurgery,Yangzhou Hongquan Hospital, Yangzhou 225200, Jiangsu, China.

In the past 10 years, the technology of percutaneous spine endoscopy has been continuously developed. The indications have expanded from simple lumbar disc herniation to various degenerative diseases of the cervical, thoracic, and lumbar spine. Traditional surgery for the treatment of cervical radiculopathy includes anterior cervical decompression surgery, anterior cervical decompression plus fusion surgery, and posterior limited fenestration surgery. Read More

J Clin Neurosci 2022 Feb 22;96:8-11. Epub 2021 Dec 22.

Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Wakayama Medical University, 811-1 Kimiidera, Wakayama 641-8510, Japan.

Detection of lumbar foraminal stenosis (LFS) is difficult using common diagnostic methods, resulting in poor outcomes after lumbar spine surgery. This study aimed to develop a new support tool to detect lumbosacral foraminal stenosis. At our hospital, the following parameters were examined on standing radiographs of the lumbar spine in 100 patients who underwent surgery for lumbar spinal canal and/or foraminal stenosis: 1) presence or absence of the inclination of L5 toward the symptomatic side, 2) distance between the pedicle of L5 and S1, 3) width of the transverse process of L5, 4) distance between the transverse process of L5 and the sacral ala, 5) length of the lateral osteophyte of L5, 6) lumbosacral angle, 7) disc height of L5-S1, and 8) presence or absence of spondylolisthesis of L5. Read More

Regen Med 2022 01 15;17(1):11-22. Epub 2021 Dec 15.

Serviço de Reumatologia - Hospital Nossa Senhora da Conceição, Grupo Hospitalar Conceição, Porto Alegre, 91350-200, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil.

To evaluate the use of a multitarget platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injection approach for the treatment of chronic low back pain (LBP). Forty-six patients with more than 12 weeks of LBP who failed conservative treatments were injected with PRP into the facet joints, intervertebral discs, epidural space and/or paravertebral muscles. Visual analog pain scale and Roland-Morris Disability Questionnaire scores were measured at baseline and predefined intervals. Read More

J Bodyw Mov Ther 2021 10 1;28:219-224. Epub 2021 Aug 1.

Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Kikugawa General Hospital, Kikugawa City, Higashiyokoji, 1632, Japan.

Introduction: To determine the physical characteristics of patients with symptomatic lumbar spondylolysis (LS) who have recurrent low back pain after returning to sports.

Method: Fifty-three adolescent patients with symptomatic LS participated in this study. Patients with symptomatic LS were assessed for flexibility, trunk muscle strength, and Functional Movement Screen (FMS) score, and then divided into two groups according to the degree of pain experienced one month after returning to sport. Read More

J Neurosurg Spine 2022 Apr 5;36(4):568-574. Epub 2021 Nov 5.

1Department of Neurosurgery, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Virginia.

Objective: Degenerative cervical myelopathy (DCM) results in significant morbidity. The duration of symptoms prior to surgical intervention may be associated with postoperative surgical outcomes and functional recovery. The authors' objective was to investigate whether delayed surgical treatment for DCM is associated with worsened postoperative outcomes. Read More

Cir Cir 2021 ;89(5):657-663

Coordinación Clínica de Educación e Investigación en Salud, Hospital de Ortopedia. Unidad Médica de Alta Especialidad Traumatología, Ortopedia y Rehabilitación Dr. Victorio de la Fuente Narváez, Instituto Mexicano del Seguro Social. Ciudad de México, México.

Objective: To determine the association of Depression with clinical outcomes in patients treated surgically for cervical spondylotic myelopathy (CSM) using an anterior approach.

Method: An observational study was conducted in patients with ECM. The Beck scale, modified scale of the Japanese Orthopedic Association (mJOA), neck disability index (NDI) and the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) were used preoperatively, one month and 3 months after surgery. Read More

BMC Musculoskelet Disord 2021 Oct 14;22(1):879. Epub 2021 Oct 14.

Department of Orthopedics, Taichung Veterans General Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan.

Background: Reduction of lumbar spondylolisthesis during spinal fusion surgery is important for improving the fusion rate and restoring the sagittal alignment. Despite the variety of reduction methods, the fundamental mechanics of lumbar spondylolisthesis reduction remain unclear. This study aimed to investigate the biomechanical behavior while performing spondylolisthesis reduction with the anterior and posterior lever reduction method. Read More

Spine J 2022 04 12;22(4):535-541. Epub 2021 Oct 12.

Norton Leatherman Spine Center, 210 East Gray St, Suite #900, Louisville, KY 40202, USA. Electronic address:

Background Context: Surgical decision making for cervical spondylotic myelopathy (CSM) relies on evaluation of symptoms and physical examination. The Romberg test is a clinical exam used to identify balance issues with CSM. However, the Romberg test has a subjective interpretation and has a binary (positive or negative) result. Read More

Orthop Surg 2021 Oct 1;13(7):2093-2101. Epub 2021 Oct 1.

Department of Spine Surgery, Beijing Jishuitan Hospital, Beijing, China.

Objective: To compare the safety and effectiveness of robot-assisted minimally invasive transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (Mis-TLIF) and oblique lumbar interbody fusion (OLIF) for the treatment of single-level lumbar degenerative spondylolisthesis (LDS).

Methods: This is a retrospective study. Between April 2018 and April 2020, a total of 61 patients with single-level lumbar degenerative spondylolisthesis and treated with robot-assisted OLIF (28 cases, 16 females, 12 males, mean age 50. Read More

Neurosurg Clin N Am 2021 Oct 29;32(4):425-435. Epub 2021 Jul 29.

Department of Neurosurgery, Mayo Clinic, 4500 San Pablo Road, Jacksonville, FL 32224, USA.

The first US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval for cervical total disc replacement (CTDR) was issued in 2007. Since then, 8 more artificial discs have been granted FDA approval for single-level CTDR. Two of these have also been approved for 2-level CTDR. Read More

Clin Spine Surg 2022 02;35(1):E19-E25

Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Singapore General Hospital.

Study Design: This was a retrospective review of prospectively collected registry data.

Objective: The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of smoking on 2 years postoperative functional outcomes, satisfaction, and radiologic fusion in nondiabetic patients undergoing minimally invasive transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (TLIF) for degenerative spine conditions.

Summary Of Background Data: There is conflicting data on the effect of smoking on long-term functional outcomes following lumbar fusion. Read More

JNMA J Nepal Med Assoc 2021 Feb 28;59(234):176-179. Epub 2021 Feb 28.

Department of Anesthesia and Critical Care, Karnali Academy of Health Sciences, Karnali, Nepal.

Introduction: The number of neurosurgical cases, especially traumatic injuries, are increasing in remote settings. This study aims to determine neurosurgical cases in a tertiary care center teaching hospital situated in a remote area of Nepal.

Methods: It was a descriptive cross-sectional study among 138 neurosurgical patients at Karnali Academy of Health Sciences from 2019 August to 2020 July. Read More

Spine J 2022 02 6;22(2):286-295. Epub 2021 Sep 6.

Division of Neurosurgery, Department of Surgery, 149 College Street, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario M5T 2S8, Canada; Division of Neurosurgery, Krembil Neuroscience Centre, Toronto Western Hospital, University Health Network, 399 Bathurst Street, Toronto, Ontario M5T 2S8, Canada. Electronic address:

Background Context: Traditionally, a nonoperative approach has been favored for elderly patients with lumbar spondylolisthesis due to a perceived higher risk of morbidity with surgery. However, most studies have used an arbitrary age cut-off to define "elderly" and this research has yielded conflicting results.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate the impact of frailty on morbidity after surgery for degenerative lumbar spondylolisthesis treated with a posterior approach. Read More

Am J Med 2021 12 30;134(12):1483-1489. Epub 2021 Aug 30.

Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University, Providence, RI. Electronic address:

Cauda equina syndrome is a potentially devastating spinal condition. The diagnosis of cauda equina syndrome lacks sensitivity and specificity, sometimes occurring after irreparable neurological damage has happened. Timely diagnosis and treatment is imperative for optimal outcomes and for avoiding medicolegal ramifications. Read More

Bratisl Lek Listy 2021 ;122(9):653-656

Background: Lumbar spondylolisthesis is a relatively common cause of low back and lower extremity pain. The most common type, degenerative lumbar spondylolisthesis (DLS), is a disease that causes stenosis of the spinal canal. Two surgical methods of treatment are widely accepted, namely posterior lumbar interbody fusion (PLIF) and transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (TLIF). Read More

Medicine (Baltimore) 2021 Aug;100(31):e26824

Guizhou University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Guizhou, China.

Background: Cervical spondylotic radiculopathy (CSR) is one of the most common types of cervical spondylosis, and its treatments are mainly for relieving radicular pain and improving dysfunction. The existing randomized controlled trials (RCTs) suggest that fire needle may be a potential therapy in the treatment of CSR, but there is no evidence-based medical evidence to date. Therefore, this study will systematically evaluate the efficacy and safety of fire needle in the treatment of CSR. Read More

Clin Spine Surg 2022 02;35(1):E68-E76

Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Rothman Institute, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA.

Cervical spondylotic myelopathy (CSM) develops insidiously as degenerative changes of the cervical spine impact the spinal cord. Unfortunately, CSM is a form of spinal cord injury in older patients that often experiences delayed treatment. This summary evaluates the pathophysiology, natural history, diagnosis, and current management of CSM. Read More

World Neurosurg 2021 11 6;155:54-63. Epub 2021 Aug 6.

Spine Unit, Department of Orthopedic and Traumatology, Clínica Alemana, Santiago, Chile; Department of Orthopedic and Traumatology, School of Medicine, University del Desarrollo, Santiago, Chile.

Background: Spondylolysis is a defect in the pars interarticularis of the vertebra that occurs frequently in high-performance young athletes. Although nonsurgical management is the mainstay of treatment, surgery is an option for patients with persistent symptoms despite multiple cycles of nonsurgical treatment. Performing a minimally invasive technique reduces complications, postsurgery pain, and hospitalization time and leads to a quick recovery. Read More