Correlation between sagittal balance and thoracolumbar elastic energy parameters in 42 spines subject to spondylolisthesis or spinal stenosis and 21 normal spines.

The curvature of the lumbar spine plays a critical role in maintaining spinal function, stability, weight distribution, and load transfer. We have developed a mathematical model of the lumbar spine curve by introducing a novel mechanism: minimization of the elastic bending energy of the spine with respect to two biomechanical parameters: dimensionless lumbosacral spinal curvature and dimensionless curvature increment along the spine CI. While most of the biomechanical studies focus on a particular segment of the spine, the distinction of the presented model is that it describes the shape of the thoracolumbar spine by considering it as a whole (non-locally) and thus includes interactions between the different spinal levels in a holistic approach.

Autologous chondrocytes versus filtered bone marrow mesenchymal stem/stromal cells for knee cartilage repair-a prospective study.

Purpose: To document clinical, radiologic, and cellular data of a prospective patient series treated by a tri-layer collagen-hydroxyapatite biomimetic osteochondral scaffold (CHAS) intra-operatively seeded with cultivated autologous chondrocytes (AC) or with filtered bone marrow stem/stromal cells (fBMSC) to address chronic osteochondral knee lesions.

Methods: Thirty-six consecutive patients (15 to 59 years) with chronic osteochondral lesions (1.8-10 cm) in the condylar or patellofemoral knee surfaces were enrolled.