The role of intense athletic activity on structural lumbar abnormalities in adolescent patients with symptomatic low back pain.

Purpose: To determine if adolescent athletics increases the risk of structural abnormalities in the lumbar spine.

Methods: A retrospective review of patients (ages 10-18) between 2004 and 2012 was performed. Pediatric patients with symptomatic low back pain, a lumbar spine MRI, and reported weekly athletic activity were included.

The effect of rhBMP-2 in a novel, non-instrumented extremity nonunion model.

Background: Pre-clinical models of bony nonunion typically employ critical-length defects. However, these models may not accurately reflect clinical practice since many nonunions are diagnosed without bone loss. We developed a non-displaced rat ulna fracture model in order to examine the efficacy of recombinant human bone morphogenetic protein-2 (rhBMP-2) with an absorbable collagen sponge (ACS) for nonunion treatment.

Factors influencing arthrodesis rates in a rabbit posterolateral spine model with iliac crest autograft.

Purpose: The rabbit posterolateral intertransverse spine arthrodesis model has been widely used to evaluate spinal biologics. However, to date, the validity and reproducibility of performance of iliac crest bone graft, the most common and critical control group, has not been firmly established. We evaluated original research publications that utilized this model, identified which experimental conditions affected fusion rates, and developed an algorithm to predict fusion rates for future study designs.

Long-Term Evaluation of Autologous Chondrocyte Implantation: Minimum 7-Year Follow-Up.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to report the clinical outcomes of autologous chondrocyte implantation (ACI) procedures performed by a single orthopedic surgeon at a minimum of 7 years follow-up.

Methods: A retrospective review of prospectively collected data was performed on 29 patients who underwent ACI of the knee between the years of 1998 and 2003. Prospective data were collected to assess changes in standardized outcome measures preoperatively and 2, 4, and 7 years postoperatively.

Prospective long-term evaluation of meniscal allograft transplantation procedure: a minimum of 7-year follow-up.

This study reports the long-term effectiveness of meniscal allograft transplantation performed by a single senior operating surgeon. In this study 22 meniscus transplantations in 22 patients were evaluated at a minimum of 7-year follow-up (mean 8.5 +/- 1.

Improving injection accuracy of the elbow, knee, and shoulder: does injection site and imaging make a difference? A systematic review.

Background: Joint injections and aspirations are used to reduce joint pain and decrease inflammation. The efficacy of these injections is diminished when they are placed inadvertently in the wrong location or compartment. The purpose of this study was to determine whether the use of varying sites or imaging techniques affects the rate of accurate needle placement in aspiration and injection in the shoulder, elbow, and knee.