Time course and correlates of psychological distress post spinal surgery: A longitudinal study.

Background: Psychological distress post lumbar spine surgery is associated with poorer outcomes. There is a scarcity of studies devoted to analyzing the risk factors associated with psychological distress in patients who have undergone lumbar fusion surgery. The purpose of this study was to (1) describe the time course and severity of psychological distress using the STarT Back Tool (SBT) and (2) determine the demographic and clinical predictors of SBT score post lumbar spine fusion surgery.

Poorer Preoperative Function Leads to Delayed Return to Work After Anterior Cervical Discectomy and Fusion for Degenerative Cervical Myelopathy.

Background: The factors that affect return to work (RTW) after anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF) for degenerative cervical myelopathy (DCM) remain unclear, especially in a non-Workers' Compensation setting. We aimed to (1) identify factors that influence RTW in patients undergoing ACDF (2) determine if early RTW plays a role in functional outcomes, quality of life, and satisfaction.

Methods: Prospectively collected data of 103 working adults who underwent primary ACDF for DCM were retrospectively reviewed.

Factors Associated with Pain Intensity and Walking Disability After Lumbar Fusion: A Longitudinal Study.

Study Design: Retrospective longitudinal study.

Objective: To identify the preoperative factors associated with postoperative lumbar fusion recovery in back or leg pain, self-reported walking time, and gait speed over a 6-month period.

Summary Of Background Data: The demand for lumbar fusion surgeries has significantly increased over the years.

Assembly of α-synuclein and neurodegeneration in the central nervous system of heterozygous M83 mice following the peripheral administration of α-synuclein seeds.

Peripheral administration (oral, intranasal, intraperitoneal, intravenous) of assembled A53T α-synuclein induced synucleinopathy in heterozygous mice transgenic for human mutant A53T α-synuclein (line M83). The same was the case when cerebellar extracts from a case of multiple system atrophy with type II α-synuclein filaments were administered intraperitoneally, intravenously or intramuscularly. We observed abundant immunoreactivity for pS129 α-synuclein in nerve cells and severe motor impairment, resulting in hindlimb paralysis and shortened lifespan.

Shoulder Balance Following Correction Surgery for Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis: When Is It Achieved and Does the Type of Construct Matter?

Study Design: This is a retrospective study.

Objective: This study aims to determine (1) when shoulder rebalancing occurs after adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) correction surgery and (2) whether shoulder asymmetry was influenced by the use of pedicle screws or hooks.

Summary Of Background Data: Postoperative shoulder imbalance is an important outcome of AIS correction surgery as it may influence a patient's appearance and satisfaction.

Does the Predominant Pain Location Influence Functional Outcomes, Satisfaction, and Return to Work After Minimally Invasive Transforaminal Lumbar Interbody Fusion For Degenerative Spondylolisthesis?

Study Design: Retrospective review of prospectively collected data.

Objective: The objective of this study was to determine how different combinations of preoperative back pain (BP) and leg pain (LP) may influence functional outcomes, patient satisfaction and return to work (RTW) in patients undergoing minimally invasive transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (MIS-TLIF) for degenerative spondylolisthesis.

Summary Of Background Data: Surgical decision-making is often based on the traditional assumption that the predominance of lower extremity symptoms is a stronger indication for lumbar spine surgery.

Risk Factors of Postoperative Shoulder Imbalance in Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis: The Role of Sagittal Spinopelvic Parameters and Upper Instrumented Vertebrae Selection.

Study Design: This is a retrospective study.

Objective: To determine (1) the independent risk factors of postoperative shoulder imbalance (PSI) after adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) correction surgery; and (2) whether the level of upper instrumented vertebrae (UIV) affects postoperative shoulder balance.

Summary Of Background Data: PSI is an important outcome of AIS correction surgery as it influences a patient's appearance and satisfaction.

Does the Predominant Pain Location Influence Functional Outcomes, Satisfaction and Return to Work After Anterior Cervical Discectomy and Fusion for Cervical Radiculopathy?

Study Design: Retrospective review of prospectively-collected registry data.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to determine how different combinations of preoperative neck pain (NP) and arm pain (AP) influence functional outcomes, patient satisfaction, and return-to-work in patients undergoing anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF) for degenerative cervical radiculopathy (DCR).

Summary Of Background Data: Surgeons often base decisions on the traditional belief that the predominance of radicular upper extremity symptoms is a stronger indication for cervical spine surgery than axial pain.

The patient acceptable symptom state for the Oswestry Disability Index following single-level lumbar fusion for degenerative spondylolisthesis.

Background Context: The patient acceptable symptom state (PASS) is a valuable tool for interpreting patient-reported outcomes. Previous studies have attempted to define the PASS in a heterogenous cohort with various lumbar spinal disorders and surgical procedures.

Purpose: We aimed to determine the PASS threshold for the Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) specifically for patients undergoing lumbar fusion for spondylolisthesis-associated functional disability.

Are Patient-Reported Outcomes of Minimally Invasive Transforaminal Lumbar Interbody Fusion Influenced by Preoperative Mental Health?

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

Objectives: Few studies have described the relationship between mental health and patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) after minimally invasive spine surgery. Prior studies on open surgery included small cohorts with short follow-ups.

Defining threshold values on the neck disability index corresponding to a patient acceptable symptom state in patients undergoing elective surgery for degenerative disorders of the cervical spine.

Background Context: The patient acceptable symptom state (PASS) has emerged as a novel tool for interpreting patient-reported outcomes. While the minimal clinically important difference values for various spine outcome instruments have been defined, little is known about the PASS thresholds for these measures.

Purpose: To define threshold values on the neck disability index (NDI) corresponding to a PASS in patients undergoing surgery for degenerative disorders of the cervical spine.

Predictors of Outcomes After Single-level Anterior Cervical Discectomy and Fusion for Cervical Spondylotic Myelopathy: A Multivariate Analysis.

Study Design: This was a retrospective study that was carried out using prospectively collected registry data.

Objective: The objective of this study was to identify preoperative predictors of outcomes after anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF) for cervical spondylotic myelopathy.

Summary Of Background Data: Proper patient selection is paramount to achieving good surgical results.

Elderly Patients Undergoing Minimally Invasive Transforaminal Lumbar Interbody Fusion May Have Similar Clinical Outcomes, Perioperative Complications, and Fusion Rates As Their Younger Counterparts.

Background: Although several studies have suggested that minimally invasive transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (MIS-TLIF) may be especially beneficial in the elderly population due to lower operative morbidity and faster postoperative recovery, there are limited studies investigating the functional outcomes, quality of life, and satisfaction in elderly patients after MIS-TLIF. Furthermore, existing studies had substantial clinical, diagnostic, and surgical heterogeneity.

Questions/purposes: We asked if elderly patients could experience comparable (1) patient-reported pain, disability and quality of life, (2) perioperative complications, and (3) radiological fusion rates as their younger counterparts after MIS-TLIF.

Sagittally Balanced Degenerative Spondylolisthesis Patients With Increased Sacral Slope and Greater Lumbar Lordosis Experience Less Back Pain After Short-Segment Lumbar Fusion Surgery.

Study Design: A retrospective review of prospectively collected registry data.

Objectives: (1) Examine functional outcomes of patients with postoperative sacral slope (SS)<30 degrees versus SS≥30 degrees after single-level transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (TLIF) for degenerative spondylolisthesis (DS); (2) determine the factors associated with SS at the last follow-up.

Summary Of Background Data: Few studies have examined the relationship between spinopelvic parameters and functional outcomes in patients with DS undergoing short-segment TLIF.

Severity of Preoperative Myelopathy Symptoms Affects Patient-reported Outcomes, Satisfaction, and Return to Work After Anterior Cervical Discectomy and Fusion for Degenerative Cervical Myelopathy.

Study Design: Retrospective review of prospectively-collected registry data.

Objective: To compare the patient-reported outcomes, satisfaction, and return to work among a large cohort of patients stratified by preoperative myelopathy severity undergoing Anterior Cervical Discectomy and Fusion (ACDF) for Degenerative Cervical Myelopathy.

Summary Of Background Data: Recent clinical practice guidelines noted a lack of studies stratifying their sample based on preoperative disease severity.

Patients With Poor Baseline Mental Health May Experience Significant Improvements in Pain and Disability After Minimally Invasive Transforaminal Lumbar Interbody Fusion: A 5-Year Follow-up Study.

Study Design: A retrospective study using prospectively collected registry data.

Objective: Examine the influence of preoperative mental health on outcomes after Minimally Invasive Transforaminal Lumbar Interbody Fusion (MIS-TLIF).

Summary Of Background Data: Prior studies investigating the relationship between mental health and outcomes after lumbar spine surgery included small cohorts with short follow-up and heterogenous fusion techniques.

Salmonella Typhi Vertebral Osteomyelitis and Epidural Abscess.

Salmonella vertebral osteomyelitis is an uncommon complication of Salmonella infection. We report a case of a 57-year-old transgender male who presented with lower back pain for a period of one month following a fall. Physical examination only revealed tenderness over the lower back with no neurological deficits.

Compression Fractures in the Setting of Diffuse Idiopathic Skeletal Hyperostosis.

Compression fractures are the most common vertebral fractures. They involve the anterior column of the spine, and are considered stable fractures due to the presence of intact posterior ligaments that aid in resisting further collapse and deformity. They are thus often managed conservatively.

A proposed set of metrics for standardized outcome reporting in the management of low back pain.

Background And Purpose: Outcome measurement has been shown to improve performance in several fields of healthcare. This understanding has driven a growing interest in value-based healthcare, where value is defined as outcomes achieved per money spent. While low back pain (LBP) constitutes an enormous burden of disease, no universal set of metrics has yet been accepted to measure and compare outcomes.

Minimally invasive compared with open lumbar laminotomy: no functional benefits at 6 or 24 months after surgery.

Background Context: Comparative studies between open and minimally invasive surgical (MIS) approaches for the treatment of spinal stenosis have mainly investigated immediate postoperative parameters.

Purpose: We aimed to compare the postoperative improvements in functional and pain scores between open versus MIS lumbar laminotomy and to describe the complications of each method.

Study Design/setting: We conducted as retrospective review of prospectively collected data.