Effects of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Spinal Fusion Procedures for Spinal Infections in a Nationwide Hospital Network in Germany.

Background:  The full impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on surgical spine care is difficult to assess due to a lack in nationwide evidence from more recent phases of the pandemic. We aimed to describe changes in in-hospital processes associated with spinal fusion procedures in the treatment of spinal infections (SI) during different phases of the pandemic.

Methods:  In this retrospective observational study, we examined the in-hospital prevalence and outcomes of spinal fusion procedures for SI (along with patient characteristics, rates of transfer to intensive care units, and mortality rates) during the first four waves of the pandemic compared with the corresponding prepandemic periods in 2019.

Effect of different forearm positions on fragment rotation in extra-articular distal radius fractures: A cadaveric study.

Objective: The aim of the study was to investigate the effect of different arm positions (hand pronation/supination and elbow flexion/extension) on fragment rotation in extra-articular distal radius fractures in a cadaveric model.

Methods: In this study, ten fresh-frozen cadaveric upper extremities from five donors with a mean age of 69 ± 12 years were used. Two cortical pins were inserted in the radius and the ulna.

Early Spinal Injury Stabilization in Multiple-Injured Patients: Do All Patients Benefit?

Background: Thoracolumbar spine fractures in multiple-injured patients are a common injury pattern. The appropriate timing for the surgical stabilization of vertebral fractures is still controversial. The purpose of this study was to analyse the impact of the timing of spinal surgery in multiple-injured patients both in general and in respect to spinal injury severity.

Subaxial Cervical Spine Injury in the Elderly and Treatment-Related Mortality - Anterior or Posterior Approach.

Background: Subaxial cervical spine injury especially in the elderly can be associated to severe complications and disability. Until today there is no consensus concerning the best operative treatment. A potential superiority of anterior or posterior fixation is the subject of controversial discussions.

Treatment of Injuries to the Subaxial Cervical Spine: Recommendations of the Spine Section of the German Society for Orthopaedics and Trauma (DGOU).

Study Design: Expert consensus.

Objectives: To establish treatment recommendations for subaxial cervical spine injuries based on current literature and the knowledge of the Spine Section of the German Society for Orthopaedics and Trauma.

Methods: This recommendation summarizes the knowledge of the Spine Section of the German Society for Orthopaedics and Trauma.

The effect of myelotomy following low thoracic spinal cord compression injury in rats.

Myelotomy is a surgical procedure allowing removal of extravasated blood and necrotic tissue that is thought to attenuate secondary injury as well as promote recovery in experimental spinal cord injury (SCI) models and humans. Here we examined in rat whether myelotomy at 48 h after low-thoracic compressive SCI provided any benefit over a 12 week period. Compared to animals receiving SCI alone, myelotomy worsened BBB scores (p < 0.

Constitutively reduced sensory capacity promotes better recovery after spinal cord-injury (SCI) in blind rats of the dystrophic RCS strain.

Background: We compared functional, electrophysiological and morphological parameters after SCI in two groups of rats Sprague Dawley (SD) rats with normal vision and blind rats from a SD-substrain "Royal College of Surgeons" (SD/RCS) who lose their photoreceptor cells after birth due to a genetic defect in the retinal pigment epithelium. For these animals skin-, intramuscular-, and tendon receptors are major available means to resolve spatial information.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to check whether increased sensitivity in SD/RCS rats would promote an improved recovery after SCI.

Rheumatoid Arthritis Affecting the Upper Cervical Spine: Biomechanical Assessment of the Stabilizing Ligaments.

Diameters of anterior and posterior atlantodental intervals (AADI and PADI) are diagnostically conclusive regarding ongoing neurological disorders in rheumatoid arthritis. MRI and X-ray are mostly used for patients' follow-up. This investigation aimed at analyzing these intervals during motion of cervical spine, when transverse and alar ligaments are damaged.

[Analysis of the accuracy of fit of five anatomically precontoured clavicle plate systems].

Background: A common method in surgical treatment of midshaft clavicular fractures is the clavicle plating system. In addition to traditional osteosynthetic devices, anatomically preformed plate systems also exist. Advantages are described in greater accuracy of fit and less irritation of surrounding soft tissues.

[Management and outcome of type II fractures of the odontoid process].

Background: The most effective treatment of type II dens fractures according to Anderson and D'Alonzo remains controversial as there is no guidance on the choice of conservative or surgical therapy and if the anterior or the posterior approach is more advantageous. In 1993 Eysel and Roosen showed that the consolidation rate of type II odontoid fractures mostly depends on the morphology of the fracture and established a classification with corresponding treatment recommendations.

Objective: The investigation aimed at clarifying the outcome of type II dens fractures treated according to the recommendations of Eysel and Roosen.

Astrocytic expression of the CXCL12 receptor, CXCR7/ACKR3 is a hallmark of the diseased, but not developing CNS.

Based on our previous demonstration of CXCR7 as the major mediator of CXCL12 signaling in cultured astrocytes, we have now compared astrocytic expression of the CXCL12 receptors, CXCR7 and CXCR4, during CNS development and disease. In addition, we asked whether disease-associated conditions/factors affect expression of CXCL12 receptors in astrocytes. In the late embryonic rat brain, CXCR7/GFAP cells were restricted to the ventricular/subventricular zone while CXCR4 was widely absent from GFAP-positive cells.

[Subaxial Cervical Spine Injuries: Treatment Recommendations of the German Orthopedic and Trauma Society].

In a consensus process during four sessions in 2016, the working group "lower cervical spine" of the German Society for Orthopedic and Trauma Surgery (DGOU), formulated "Therapeutic Recommendations for the Lower Cervical Spine", taking into consideration the current literature. Therapeutic goals are a permanently stable, painless cervical spine and the protection against secondary neurologic damage while retaining the greatest possible amount of motion and spinal profile. Due to its ease of use and its proven good reliability, the AOSpine classification for subaxial cervical injuries should be used.

[Influence of Osseous and Ligamentous Injuries on the Stability of the Atlantoaxial Complex].

The odontoid process and the transverse ligament are the most important structures stabilising the atlantoaxial complex. It has not been fully elucidated how injuries of these structures contribute towards instability and a potential narrowing of the spinal canal. Therefore, our investigation aimed to perform a biomechanical analysis of spinal width and dislocation of the odontoid process depending on injuries of the aforementioned structures.

Whole body vibration (WBV) following spinal cord injury (SCI) in rats: Timing of intervention.

Background: Following spinal cord injury (SCI), exercise training provides a wide range of benefits and promotes activity-dependent synaptic plasticity. Whole body vibration (WBV) in SCI patients improves walking and spasticity as well as bone and muscle mass. However, little is known about the effects of timing or frequency of intervention.

Accuracy of 3D fluoroscopy-navigated anterior transpedicular screw insertion in the cervical spine: an experimental study.

Purpose: The technique of pedicle screw stabilization is finding increasing popularity for use in the cervical spine. Implementing anterior transpedicular screws (ATPS) in cervical spine offers theoretical advantages compared to posterior stabilization. The goal of the current study was the development of a new setting for navigated insertion of ATPS, combining the advantage of reduced invasiveness of an anterior approach with the technical advantages of navigation.

Anatomical fit of seven different palmar distal radius plates.

Introduction: The purpose of this study was to compare the anatomical fit of different, precontoured palmar distal radius plates.

Methods: The anatomical fit of seven different types of palmar distal radius plates [Königsee variable fixed-angle radius plate 7/3-hole, Königsee variable fixed-angle radius plate 5/3-hole (Allendorf, Germany), Medartis 2.5 Adaptive TriLock, Medartis 2.

Ten year survivorship after cemented and uncemented medial Uniglide® unicompartmental knee arthroplasties.

Background: Results of knee replacement registries have shown that unicompartmental knee arthroplasty (UKA) has a significantly higher revision and failure rate than current state-of-the-art TKA. The aim of this prospective study is to evaluate the long-term outcomes and to calculate the 10 year survival of knees with medial osteoarthritis treated with Uniglide® UKA.

Methods: Two hundred thirty-four patients were assessed by an independent clinical observer using the American Knee Society Clinical Rating System, a validated outcome measure.

The microvascular anatomy of the talus: a plastination study on the influence of total ankle replacement.

Purpose: The purpose of our study was to systematize the arterial supply of the talus and characterize the vessel damage occurring in the talus after total ankle replacement. Previous studies exist using vascular injection to visualize the topic [Giebel et al. (Surg Radiol Anat 19:231-235, 1997); Mulfinger and Trueta (J Bone Joint Surg Br 52:160-167, 1970); Peterson et al.

Whole-body vibration improves functional recovery in spinal cord injured rats.

Whole-body vibration (WBV) is a relatively novel form of exercise used to improve neuromuscular performance in healthy individuals. Its usefulness as a therapy for patients with neurological disorders, in particular spinal cord injury (SCI), has received little attention in clinical settings and, surprisingly, even less in animal SCI models. We performed severe compression SCI at a low-thoracic level in Wistar rats followed by daily WBV starting 7 (10 rats) or 14 (10 rats) days after injury (WBV7 and WBV14, respectively) and continued over a 12-week post-injury period.

The interspinous spacer: a clinicoanatomical investigation using plastination.

Purpose. The relatively new and less-invasive therapeutic alternative "interspinous process decompression device (IPD)" is expected to result in improved symptoms of neurogenic intermittent claudication (NIC) caused by lumbar spinal stenosis. The aim of the study was to analyze IPD position particularly regarding damage originating from surgical implantation.