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World Neurosurg 2018 Nov 14. Epub 2018 Nov 14.

Medical Student, Tufts University School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts, United States.

Objectives: Nanotechnology is a promising field with numerous applications across various branches of medicine. The unique innate physical, chemical and biological properties of nano-particles enable them to serve as appropriate agents performing diverse functions at cellular and sub-cellular levels. Spinal pathologies constitute one major field where its applications are being explored. Read More

J Clin Densitom 2018 Sep 22. Epub 2018 Sep 22.

University Health Network, Osteoporosis Program, Toronto General Research Institute, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.

The accumulation of INTERmuscular fat and INTRAmuscular fat (IMF) has been a hallmark of individuals with diabetes, those with mobility impairments such as spinal cord injuries and is known to increase with aging. An elevated amount of IMF has been associated with fractures and frailty, but the imprecision of IMF measurement has so far limited the ability to observe more consistent clinical associations. Magnetic resonance imaging has been recognized as the gold standard for portraying these features, yet reliable methods for quantifying IMF on magnetic resonance imaging is far from standardized. Read More

Osteoporos Int 2018 Dec 17;29(12):2703-2715. Epub 2018 Oct 17.

Human Performance Laboratory, Faculty of Kinesiology, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, T2N 1N4, USA.

Computed tomography and finite element modeling were used to assess bone structure at the knee as a function of time after spinal cord injury. Analyzed regions experienced degradation in stiffness, mineral density, and content. Changes were well described as an exponential decay over time, reaching a steady state 3. Read More

World Neurosurg 2018 Dec 19;120:e1295-e1300. Epub 2018 Sep 19.

Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Seoul St. Mary's Hospital, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, Korea.

Objectives: Osteoporotic spine fractures (OSFs) with delayed neurologic compromises (NCs) have been increasingly reported. Although several studies have addressed that the pathologic mechanism of NC involves nonunion and segmental instability, the risk factors remain unclear. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to assess the radiologic and clinical features of OSFs with delayed NC. Read More

Calcif Tissue Int 2018 Sep 14. Epub 2018 Sep 14.

Research Service, Malcom Randall Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center, North Florida/South Georgia Veterans Health System, 1601 SW Archer Road, Research 151, Gainesville, FL, 32608, USA.

To elucidate mechanisms of bone loss after spinal cord injury (SCI), we evaluated the time-course of cancellous and cortical bone microarchitectural deterioration via microcomputed tomography, measured histomorphometric and circulating bone turnover indices, and characterized the development of whole bone mechanical deficits in a clinically relevant experimental SCI model. 16-weeks-old male Sprague-Dawley rats received T laminectomy (SHAM, n = 50) or moderate-severe contusion SCI (n = 52). Outcomes were assessed at 2-weeks, 1-month, 2-months, and 3-months post-surgery. Read More

BMJ Case Rep 2018 Sep 14;2018. Epub 2018 Sep 14.

Health Care for Older People, Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust, Nottingham, UK.

An 84-year-old woman with previous spinal operations including vertebroplasty and lumbar decompressions was admitted electively under the spinal team for right-sided L4/5 decompression for worsening back pain which she undergoes using a posterior approach. Postoperatively, she develops stabbing upper central chest pain and given unremarkable chest X-ray, ECG and cardiac troponin, she undergoes a CT pulmonary angiogram which shows a fracture of the upper part of sternum but no pulmonary embolism. There is no history of recent trauma and this is deemed to be secondary to prolonged spinal surgery in the prone position in a patient with osteopenic bones. Read More

J Clin Densitom 2018 Oct - Dec;21(4):563-582. Epub 2018 Jul 29.

Neural Engineering and Therapeutics Team, Toronto Rehabilitation Research Institute-University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada; Department of Kinesiology, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, Ontario, Canada; Centre of Excellence in Skeletal Health Assessment, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada; Brain and Spinal Cord Rehabilitation Program, Toronto Rehabilitation Institute-University Health Network, Toronto, Canada; Department of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.

In 2015, the International Society for Clinical Densitometry (ISCD) position statement regarding peripheral quantitative computed tomography (pQCT) did not recommend routine use of pQCT, in clinical settings until consistency in image acquisition and analysis protocols are reached, normative studies conducted, and treatment thresholds identified. To date, the lack of consensus-derived recommendations regarding pQCT implementation remains a barrier to implementation of pQCT technology. Thus, based on description of available evidence and literature synthesis, this review recommends the most appropriate pQCT acquisition and analysis protocols for clinical care and research purposes, and recommends specific measures for diagnosis of osteoporosis, assigning fracture risk, and monitoring osteoporosis treatment effectiveness, among patients with neurological impairment. Read More

Spine J 2019 Mar 22;19(3):437-447. Epub 2018 Aug 22.

Department of Neurosurgery, CHA University, School of Medicine, CHA Bundang Medical Center, Seongnam-si, Gyeonggido, Republic of Korea.

Background Context: Transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (TLIF) is a widely accepted surgical procedure, but cage migration (CM) and cage retropulsion (CR) are associated with poor outcomes.

Purpose: This study seeks to identify risk factors associated with these serious events.

Study Design: A prospective observational longitudinal study. Read More

Exp Ther Med 2018 Aug 1;16(2):665-670. Epub 2018 Jun 1.

Department of Orthopaedics, The First People's Hospital of Wujiang District, Suzhou, Jiangsu 215200, P.R. China.

Clinical value of expansive pedicle screw in lumbar short-segment fixation and fusion for patients with osteoporosis was investigated. A total of 80 patients with lumbar compression fracture but without obvious nerve compression were selected and divided into the observation group (n=40) and the control group (n=40) using a random number table. The observation group used the expansive pedicle screw, and the control group received conventional pedicle screw fixation and bone graft fusion. Read More

Calcif Tissue Int 2018 Jun 21. Epub 2018 Jun 21.

National Center for the Medical Consequences of Spinal Cord Injury, James J. Peters VA Medical Center, 130 West Kingsbridge Road, Bronx, NY, 10468, USA.

To date, no efficacious therapy exists that will prevent or treat the severe osteoporosis in individuals with neurologically motor-complete spinal cord injury (SCI). Recent preclinical studies have demonstrated that sclerostin antibody (Scl-Ab) can prevent sublesional bone loss after acute SCI in rats. However, it remains unknown whether sclerostin inhibition reverses substantial bone loss in the vast majority of the SCI population who have been injured for several years. Read More

J Bone Miner Res 2018 Oct 28;33(10):1729-1740. Epub 2018 Jun 28.

Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL, USA.

Spinal cord injury (SCI) is associated with marked bone loss and an increased risk of fracture. We randomized 61 individuals with chronic SCI and low bone mass to receive either teriparatide 20 μg/d plus sham vibration 10 min/d (n = 20), placebo plus vibration 10 min/d (n = 20), or teriparatide 20 μg/d plus vibration 10 min/d (n = 21). Patients were evaluated for 12 months; those who completed were given the opportunity to participate in an open-label extension where all participants (n = 25) received teriparatide 20 μg/d for an additional 12 months and had the optional use of vibration (10 min/d). Read More

BMJ Case Rep 2018 Jun 11;2018. Epub 2018 Jun 11.

Department of Endocrinology, Jawaharlal Institute of Postgraduate Medical Education and Research, Pondicherry, India.

Osteoporosis is the most common metabolic bone disorder worldwide, especially in women. Postmenopausal status is the most common risk factor for osteoporosis in elderly women. The operational diagnosis of osteoporosis is usually made with the help of central dual energy X-ray absorptiometry scan. Read More

Surg Neurol Int 2018 7;9:94. Epub 2018 May 7.

Department of Neurosurgical, Klinikum Dortmund, Dortmund, Germany.

Background: There are several techniques for treating atlantoaxial instability, including the Magerl transarticular screw fixation and the Harms/Goel C1-C2 screw rod techniques. Here, we present a novel technique utilizing a polyaxial screw rod system and a combination of C1 lateral mass and C1-C2 transarticular screws.

Methods: We retrospectively reviewed 14 patients (7 women, 7 men; mean age 62) who underwent surgery for type II odontoid fractures ( = 7), pseudarthrosis after anterior odontoid screw placement ( = 3), Os odontoideum ( = 2), atlantoaxial instability after C3-C5 fusion ( = 1), and craniovertebral rheumatoid arthritis ( = 1). Read More

Pain Physician 2018 05;21(3):259-268

8th Department, Research Institute of Surgery, Daping Hospital, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing 400042, China.

Background: Bone cement leakage in patients with vertebral fracture limits the use of percutaneous kyphoplasty (PKP) and percutaneous vertebroplasty (PVP). Finding a method to reduce bone cement leakage is clinically rather important.

Objective: To compare the efficacy and safety of bone-filling mesh containers (BFMCS) and simple percutaneous balloon kyphoplasty in the treatment of osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures. Read More

PLoS One 2018 1;13(6):e0197987. Epub 2018 Jun 1.

World Spine Care, Santa Ana, California, United States of America.

Objective: The purpose of this review was to identify risk factors, prognostic factors, and comorbidities associated with common spinal disorders.

Methods: A scoping review of the literature of common spinal disorders was performed through September 2016. To identify search terms, we developed 3 terminology groups for case definitions: 1) spinal pain of unknown origin, 2) spinal syndromes, and 3) spinal pathology. Read More

J Acupunct Meridian Stud 2018 Aug 30;11(4):124-132. Epub 2018 May 30.

Department of Anesthesiology, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, Columbus, OH, United States.

Spinal cord injury (SCI) is one of the most common causes of death and disability worldwide, and it can result in both permanent disability and serial complications in patients. Research shows that patients with SCI complications are often interested in acupuncture for symptomatic relief. Therefore, the issue of physicians advising their patients regarding the use of acupuncture to alleviate SCI complications becomes pertinent. Read More

J Spinal Cord Med 2018 May 10:1-25. Epub 2018 May 10.

a Charlie Norwood Veterans Administration Medical Center , Augusta , Georgia , USA.

Objectives: The primary objective was to review the literature regarding methodologies to assess fracture risk, to prevent and treat osteoporosis and to manage osteoporotic fractures in SCI/D.

Study Design: Scoping review. Settings/Participants: Human adult subjects with a SCI/D. Read More

Cir Esp 2018 Nov 22;96(9):587-589. Epub 2018 Apr 22.

Instituto Universitario de Investigaciones Biomédicas y Sanitarias, Grupo de Investigación en Osteoporosis y Metabolismo Mineral, Universidad de Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Las Palmas, España.

Scand J Trauma Resusc Emerg Med 2018 Apr 5;26(1):27. Epub 2018 Apr 5.

University Institute for Biomedical and Health Research, Osteoporosis and Mineral Metabolism Research Group, University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Spain.

Background: Traumatic spinal cord injury remains a serious public health and social problem. Although incidence rates are decreasing in our environment, it is a high cost condition that is associated with great disability. The objective of this study was to describe the epidemiological and demographic characteristics of traumatic spinal cord injury and to analyse its epidemiological changes. Read More

Cochrane Database Syst Rev 2018 04 4;4:CD006349. Epub 2018 Apr 4.

Monash Department of Clinical Epidemiology, Cabrini Institute, Department of Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine, School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, 4 Drysdale Street, Malvern, Victoria, Australia, 3144.

Background: Percutaneous vertebroplasty remains widely used to treat osteoporotic vertebral fractures although our 2015 Cochrane review did not support its role in routine practice.

Objectives: To update the available evidence of the benefits and harms of vertebroplasty for treatment of osteoporotic vertebral fractures.

Search Methods: We updated the search of CENTRAL, MEDLINE and Embase and trial registries to 15 November 2017. Read More

J Spinal Cord Med 2018 Mar 29:1-6. Epub 2018 Mar 29.

a Department of Orthopedics , Tianjin Medical University General Hospital , Tianjin , China.

Context/objective: The objective of the research was to illustrate the epidemiology profile of thoracolumbar fracture (TLF) in Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, China, from 2006-2015.

Design: Hospital-based retrospective study.

Setting: Tianjin Medical University General Hospital. Read More

World Neurosurg 2018 Jun 19;114:e785-e791. Epub 2018 Mar 19.

Department of Social Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Ilam University of Medical Sciences, Ilam, Iran. Electronic address:

Background: Osteoporosis is one of the most common problems of patients with spinal cord injuries (SCIs). The current study aimed to evaluate the antiosteoporotic effects of curcumin on densitometry parameters and biomarkers of bone turnovers among patients with SCI.

Materials And Methods: The current controlled clinical trial was conducted among 100 patients with SCI referred to an outpatient clinic of rehabilitation in Ilam City, Iran, in 2013-2015. Read More

Spine (Phila Pa 1976) 2018 08;43(16):E919-E926

Department of Rehabilitation, The Second Xiang-Ya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, P.R. China.

Study Design: Seventy-five Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into sham, complete spinal cord transection (CSCT) and hyperbaric oxygen (HBO) groups. Among them, rats in HBO group were further divided into 3 hours group (HBO1) and 12 hours group (HBO2).

Objective: To study the effects of ultra-early HBO therapy on femoral calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) and bone metabolism of rats with CSCT. Read More

Zhongguo Gu Shang 2017 Feb;30(2):125-131

Jinling Clinical Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 210000, Jiangsu, China;

Surgery is the preferred method for the treatment of spinal canal disease, surgical method involves laminectomy and laminoplasty. The ideal spinal surgery not only should fully expose the spinal canal, completely resect the occupied position and remove the spinal cord compression, but also should maintain the stability of spinal biomechanics. Because of the different realization of clinician to safeguard and rebuild the spinal stabilization during opertion of spinal canal disease, and choice of surgical method and how to maintain the stability of spine biomechanics has become a hot of research in this field. Read More

Neurocirugia (Astur) 2018 May - Jun;29(3):116-121. Epub 2018 Jan 12.

Licenciado en Medicina, Clinica CEMTRO, Madrid.

Objective: Ankylosing spondylitis is an inflammatory rheumatic disease mainly affecting the axial skeleton. The rigid spine may secondarily develop osteoporosis, further increasing the risk of spinal fracture. In this study, we reviewed fractures in patients with ankylosing spondylitis that had been clinically diagnosed to better define the mechanism of injury, associated neurological deficit, predisposing factors, and management strategies. Read More

Spinal Cord 2018 05 26;56(5):487-493. Epub 2017 Dec 26.

Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.

Study Design: Psychometric study using retrospectively collected data.

Objectives: We investigated the comparability of quantitative computed tomography (qCT) in assessing bone mineral density (BMD) with dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA). We evaluated how well previously suggested normal values for spinal Hounsfield units (HU) correlated with routine DXA results in patients with chronic spinal cord injury (SCI). Read More

Front Neurosci 2017 21;11:649. Epub 2017 Nov 21.

Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba, Japan.

Patients with complete paraplegia after spinal cord injury (SCI) are unable to stand or walk on their own. Standing exercise decreases the risk of decubitus ulcers, osteoporosis, and joint deformities in patients with SCI. Conventional gait training for complete paraplegia requires excessive upper limb usage for weight bearing and is difficult in cases of complete quadriplegia. Read More

Adv Orthop 2017 17;2017:6516893. Epub 2017 Oct 17.

Department of Surgical Sciences, Uppsala University Hospital, Uppsala, Sweden.

Objective: C2 fractures are a common injury in the elderly population. Treatment is often complicated due to osteoporosis and patient comorbidity. This study aims to investigate the incidence and treatment trend of C2 fractures in Sweden. Read More

Breast 2018 Feb 23;37:28-35. Epub 2017 Oct 23.

Department of Medicine, Clinical Division of Oncology, Comprehensive Cancer Centre, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria; Gaston H. Glock Research Center, Vienna, Austria. Electronic address:

Improvements in the survival of patients with breast cancer, together with a better understanding of the pathology of the disease, have led to the emergence of bone health as a key aspect of patient management. Patients with breast cancer are typically at risk of skeletal complications throughout their disease course. The receptor activator of nuclear factor κ B ligand (RANKL) inhibitor denosumab and bisphosphonates (e. Read More

Osteoporos Int 2018 01 17;29(1):201-209. Epub 2017 Oct 17.

Rheumatology Department, Hospital Clinic of Barcelona, IDIBAPS, CIBERehd, Metabolic Bone Diseases Unit, Service of Rheumatology, University of Barcelona, Villarroel 170, 08036, Barcelona, Spain.

Marked trabecular and cortical bone loss was observed at the proximal femur short-term after spinal cord injury (SCI). 3D-DXA provided measurement of vBMD evolution at both femoral compartments and cortical thinning, thereby suggesting that this technique could be useful for bone analysis in these patients.

Introduction: SCI is associated with a marked increase in bone loss and risk of osteoporosis development short-term after injury. Read More

Physiol Rep 2017 Sep 27;5(18). Epub 2017 Sep 27.

National Center for the Medical Consequences of Spinal Cord Injury, James J. Peters Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Bronx, New York

Immobilization, as a result of motor-complete spinal cord injury (SCI), is associated with severe osteoporosis. Whether parathyroid hormone (PTH) administration would reduce bone loss after SCI remains unclear. Thus, female mice underwent sham or surgery to produce complete spinal cord transection. Read More

Eur J Orthop Surg Traumatol 2018 Feb 14;28(2):309-316. Epub 2017 Sep 14.

Neurosurgical Unit of Miulli Hospital, Acquaviva delle Fonti, Italy.

Introduction: Kummell's disease is an avascular necrosis of the vertebral body, secondary to a vertebral compression fracture. This entity is characterised by the gradual development in time of a vertebral body collapse following a trivial spinal trauma, involving a worsening back pain associated with a progressive kyphosis.

Purposes: The aim of this article is to carry out an international literature review regarding Kummell's disease, addressing its physiopathology, histopathology, clinical presentation, radiological characteristics and treatment modalities; at the same time, the literature is updated through the description of a new and interesting case, symbol of the pathology long-term potential complications, if not diagnosed and therefore not suitably treated. Read More

Aktuelle Urol 2018 Aug 13;49(4):355-357. Epub 2017 Sep 13.

Neuro-Urologie, Schweizer Paraplegiker-Zentrum, Nottwil, Schweiz.

In men who wish to have children after a spinal cord injury, assisted ejaculation is frequently needed for sperm retrieval. Transrectal electrostimulation (TES) is often used for this purpose. Typical side effects of TES are autonomic dysreflexia or pain. Read More

Curr Osteoporos Rep 2017 10;15(5):433-442

Discipline of Orthopaedics and Trauma, The University of Adelaide, North Terrace, Adelaide, South Australia, 5000, Australia.

Purpose Of Review: This review assembles recent understanding of the profound loss of muscle and bone in spinal cord injury (SCI). It is important to try to understand these changes, and the context in which they occur, because of their impact on the wellbeing of SC-injured individuals, and the urgent need for viable preventative therapies.

Recent Findings: Recent research provides new understanding of the effects of age and systemic factors on the response of bone to loading, of relevance to attempts to provide load therapy for bone in SCI. Read More

Int J Rehabil Res 2017 Dec;40(4):374-376

aDepartment of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation, Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha, Qatar bDepartment of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Scientific Institute of Lissone, IRCCS, Istituti Clinici Scientifici Maugeri, Lissone MB, Italy.

Homocystinuria (HCU) is a rare autosomal recessive disease characterized by the deficiency of cystathionine β-synthetase, presenting with variable clinical features including micronutrient deficiency-related osteoporosis. Early-onset osteoporosis results in increased bone fragility, which is associated with low-impact fractures. To date, no traumatic myelopathy has ever been described in patients with HCU. Read More

J Clin Densitom 2018 Jul - Sep;21(3):338-346. Epub 2017 Jun 26.

Human Performance Laboratory, Faculty of Kinesiology, University of Calgary, Calgary, Canada; McCaig Institute for Bone and Joint Health, University of Calgary, University of Calgary, Calgary, Canada; Division of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Department of Clinical Neurosciences, University of Calgary, Calgary, Canada. Electronic address:

Spinal cord injury (SCI) is characterized by marked bone loss at the knee, and there is a need for established dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) protocols to examine bone mineral density (BMD) at this location to track therapeutic progress and to monitor fracture risk. The purpose of this study was to quantify the precision and reliability of a DXA protocol for BMD assessment at the distal femur and the proximal tibia in individuals with SCI. The protocol was subsequently used to investigate the relationship between BMD and duration of SCI. Read More

Spinal Cord 2017 Nov 13;55(11):985-993. Epub 2017 Jun 13.

Department of Research, Neural Engineering and Therapeutics Team, Toronto Rehabilitation Institute-University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.

Study Design: Cross-sectional.

Objectives: The objective of the study was to determine and report agreement in fracture risk stratification of adults with spinal cord injury (SCI) using (1) Canadian Association of Radiologists and Osteoporosis Canada (CAROC) and Canadian Fracture Risk Assessment (FRAX) tools with and without areal bone mineral density (aBMD) and (2) SCI-specific fracture thresholds.

Setting: Tertiary rehabilitation center, Ontario, Canada. Read More

Osteoporos Int 2017 09 4;28(9):2707-2715. Epub 2017 Jun 4.

Rheumatology Department, Hospital Clinic of Barcelona, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain.

There is marked bone loss after spinal cord injury (SCI); however, its pathogenesis and clinical management remain unclear. The increased circulating levels of receptor activator of nuclear factor kB ligand (RANKL) associated with bone loss shortly after SCI and the prevention of bone loss with denosumab treatment suggest a contributory role of RANKL in SCI-induced osteoporosis.

Introduction: Bone turnover and bone loss are markedly increased shortly after SCI. Read More

J Spinal Cord Med 2018 Nov 25;41(6):676-683. Epub 2017 May 25.

a Center for Spinal Cord Injuries, Trauma Center Murnau , Murnau , Germany.

Context: Sublesional osteoporosis is an important sequel after spinal cord injury (SCI) resulting in a high incidence of fractures and impaired osseous healing due to altered bone metabolism. The following study aims to identify demographic characteristics and outcome of patients with SCI with lower extremity fractures.

Design: Retrospective observational study. Read More

Eur Spine J 2018 Aug 11;27(8):1798-1814. Epub 2017 May 11.

Department of Neurosurgery, Sina Trauma and Surgery Research Center, Sina Hospital, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Hassan-Abad Square, Imam Khomeini Ave, Tehran, 11365-3876, Iran.

Purpose: Spinal cord injury (SCI) results in accelerated bone mineral density (BMD) loss and disorganization of trabecular bone architecture. The mechanisms underlying post-SCI osteoporosis are complex and different from other types of osteoporosis. Findings of studies investigating efficacy of pharmacological or rehabilitative interventions in SCI-related osteoporosis are controversial. Read More

J Spinal Cord Med 2019 Jan 10;42(1):39-44. Epub 2017 May 10.

a Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Department , University Hospital of Nantes , France.

Objectives: To evaluate the difference in terms of overall complications between surgical and non-surgical management of lower limb fractures in patients with chronic spinal cord injury (SCI).

Design: A 13-year retrospective study including patients with chronic spinal cord lesion admitted for sublesional lower limb fractures.

Setting: University hospital SCI reference departments (Rehabilitation department and orthopedic department). Read More

Eur J Pharmacol 2017 Aug 4;809:13-19. Epub 2017 May 4.

Department of Political Affairs, General Hospital of the People's Liberation Army, Beijing 100853, China.

Patients with spinal cord injury (SCI) undergo severe loss of bone mineral below the level of lesion, and data on available treatment options after SCI is scarce. The aim of this work was to investigate the therapeutic effect of cannabidiol (CBD), a non-psychoactive cannabis, on sublesional bone loss in a rat model of SCI. The adult male rats were exposed to surgical transection of the cord and treated with CBD for consecutive 14 days. Read More

J Orthop Sci 2017 Jul 31;22(4):622-629. Epub 2017 Mar 31.

Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Osaka Medical College, Osaka, Japan.

Background: The optimal treatment of neurological deficits following osteoporotic vertebral collapse (OVC) is controversial, owing to complications that result from fragile bone quality. In the present study, we assessed surgical results following posterior spinal fusion without decompression. We achieved stable fusion over a short segment of the spinal column using pedicle screws and spinous process plates, maximizing the use of the preserved posterior elements. Read More

Neurocirugia (Astur) 2017 Jul - Aug;28(4):183-189. Epub 2017 Mar 23.

Instituto Universitario de Investigaciones Biomédicas y Sanitarias, Grupo de Investigación en Osteoporosis y Metabolismo Mineral, Universidad de Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, España.

Objective: Diving accidents is one of the leading causes of spinal cord injury after falls and car accidents. The objective of this study was to determine the epidemiological and clinical characteristics of these patients in our setting to better prevent these injuries.

Material And Methods: We performed a retrospective, descriptive study of patients who have suffered from a traumatic spinal cord injury after a diving accident in the Canary Islands, Spain from 2000 to 2014. Read More

J Neurotrauma 2017 11 5;34(21):2972-2981. Epub 2017 Jun 5.

1 Research Service, Malcom Randall Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center , North Florida/South Georgia Veterans Health System, Gainesville, Florida.

We have reported that testosterone-enanthate (TE) prevents the musculoskeletal decline occurring acutely after spinal cord injury (SCI), but results in a near doubling of prostate mass. Our purpose was to test the hypothesis that administration of TE plus finasteride (FIN; type II 5α-reductase inhibitor) would prevent the chronic musculoskeletal deficits in our rodent severe contusion SCI model, without inducing prostate enlargement. Forty-three 16-week-old male Sprague-Dawley rats received: 1) SHAM surgery (T laminectomy); 2) severe (250 kdyne) contusion SCI; 3) SCI+TE (7. Read More

J Neurosurg Spine 2017 May 10;26(5):577-585. Epub 2017 Mar 10.

Department of Neurosurgery, Neurological Institute, and.

OBJECTIVE Cervical disc arthroplasty (CDA) has been demonstrated to be as safe and effective as anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF) in the management of 1- and 2-level degenerative disc disease (DDD). However, there has been a lack of data to address the fundamental discrepancy between the two surgeries (CDA vs ACDF), and preservation versus elimination of motion, in the management of cervical myelopathy associated with congenital cervical stenosis (CCS). Although younger patients tend to benefit more from motion preservation, it is uncertain if CCS caused by multilevel DDD can be treated safely with CDA. Read More

Sports Med 2017 Sep;47(9):1697-1708

Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA.

Low energy availability, functional hypothalamic amenorrhea, and low bone mineral density are three interrelated conditions described in athletic women. Although described as the female athlete triad (Triad), males experience similar health concerns. The literature suggests that individuals with a disability may experience altered physiology related to these three conditions when compared with the able-bodied population. Read More

Ann Biomed Eng 2017 05 19;45(5):1247-1254. Epub 2017 Jan 19.

VA Palo Alto, Musculoskeletal Research Laboratories, Palo Alto, CA, USA.

While bone mineral density has been traditionally used to quantify fracture risk for individuals with spinal cord injuries, recent studies are including engineering measurements such as section modulus and cross sectional moment of inertia. These are almost exclusively calculated by peripheral QCT scanners which, unlike DXA scanners, are rarely found in clinical settings. Using fifty-four fresh frozen femora, we developed and validated a pixel-by-pixel method to calculate engineering properties at the distal femur using a Hologic QDR-1000 W DXA scanner and compared them against similar parameters measured using a Stratec XCT-3000 peripheral QCT scanner. Read More

J Clin Neurosci 2017 Jun 12;40:18-23. Epub 2017 Jan 12.

Department of Neurosurgery, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, United States.

Animal and human studies demonstrate the anabolic properties of low-magnitude mechanical stimulation (LMMS) in its ability to improve bone formation by enhancing the proliferation of mesenchymal stem cells and their subsequent commitment down an osteoblastic lineage. Response to mechanical strains as low as 10μɛ have been seen, illustrating the sensitivity of mechanosensory cells to mechanotransduction pathways. Applications to the spine include treatment of osteoporosis in preparation for instrumented fusion, fracture reduction in spinal cord injury patients to slow bone mineral density loss, and bone tissue engineering and enhancement of bone-implant osseointegration for pseudarthrosis and hardware failure. Read More