Role of Decompressive Surgery in Neurologically Intact Patients with Low to Intermediate Intraspinal Metastatic Tumor Burden.

Background: Surgical decompression (SD) followed by radiotherapy (RT) is superior to RT alone in patients with metastatic spinal disease with epidural spinal cord compression (ESCC) and neurological deficit. For patients without neurological deficit and low- to intermediate-grade intraspinal tumor burden, data on whether SD is beneficial are scarce. This study aims to investigate the neurological outcome of patients without neurological deficit, with a low- to intermediate-ESCC, who were treated with or without SD.

Impact of Spinal Instrumentation on Neurological Outcome in Patients with Intermediate Spinal Instability Neoplastic Score (SINS).

Background: Adequate assessment of spinal instability using the spinal instability neoplastic score (SINS) frequently guides surgical therapy in spinal epidural osseous metastases and subsequently influences neurological outcome. However, how to surgically manage ‘impending instability’ at SINS 7−12 most appropriately remains uncertain. This study aimed to evaluate the necessity of spinal instrumentation in patients with SINS 7−12 with regards to neurological outcome.

The role of job strain on return to work after carpal tunnel surgery.

Aims: To examine the impact of job strain (that is, high psychological job demands and low job control) on return to work and work role functioning at two months, six months, or both, following carpal tunnel release surgery.

Methods: A community based cohort of carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) patients from physician practices was recruited between April 1997 and October 1998 throughout Maine (USA). 128 patients at two months and 122 at six months completed all relevant questions.

Management and employee agreement on reports of organizational policies and practices important in return to work following carpal tunnel surgery.

This study's purpose was to assess the agreement between management and employee ratings of organizational policies and practices (OPP) involved in the return to work process following carpal tunnel surgery. As a part of the prospective community-based Maine Carpal Tunnel II Study, 65 manager and employee pairs completed a questionnaire tapping four OPP dimensions. people oriented culture, safety climate, ergonomic practices, and disability management.

Predictors of successful work role functioning after carpal tunnel release surgery.

This study identified the clinical, individual, and workplace predictors of successful work role functioning (WRF) after carpal tunnel release surgery (CTRS). A community-based cohort (n = 197) was followed for 6 months post-CTRS. Predictors of successful WRF were analyzed prospectively using ordinal logistic regression.