Risk factors for not reaching minimal clinically important difference at 90 days and 1 year after elective lumbar spine surgery: a cohort study.

Objective: Patient-perceived functional improvement is a core metric in lumbar surgery for degenerative disease. It is important to identify both modifiable and nonmodifiable risk factors that can be evaluated and possibly optimized prior to elective surgery. This case-control study was designed to study risk factors for not achieving the minimal clinically important difference (MCID) in Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System Function 4-item Short Form (PROMIS PF) score.

Calculating Utilities From the Neck Disability Index Score: Quantifying the Value of Care For Cervical Spine Pathology.

Study Design: General population utility valuation study.

Objective: To develop a technique for calculating utilities from the Neck Disability Index (NDI) score.

Methods: We recruited a sample of 1200 adults from a market research panel.

Rates and risk factors associated with 30- and 90-day readmissions and reoperations after spinal fusions for adult lumbar degenerative pathology and spinal deformity.

Purpose: Analyze state databases to determine variables associated with of short-term readmissions and reoperations following thoracolumbar spine fusions for degenerative pathology and spinal deformity.

Methods: Retrospective study of State Inpatient Database (2005-13, CA, NE, NY, FL, NC, UT).

Inclusion Criteria: age > 45 years, diagnosis of degenerative spinal deformity, ≥ 3 level posterolateral lumbar spine fusion.

Calculating Ex-ante Utilities From the Modified Japanese Orthopedic Association Score: A Prerequisite for Quantifying the Value of Care for Cervical Myelopathy.

Study Design: General population utility valuation study.

Objective: The aim of this study was to develop a technique for calculating utilities from the modified Japanese Orthopedic Association (mJOA) Score.

Summary Of Background Data: The ability to calculate quality-adjusted life-years (QALYs) for degenerative cervical myelopathy (DCM) would enhance treatment decision making and facilitate economic analysis.

The Hip Center Rule Can be Used to Decide if Measured Pelvic Incidence is Accurate.

Study Design: Simulation study.

Objective: Pelvic incidence (PI) should be considered during surgical planning. The ideal patient position with both hip centers perfectly aligned for a lateral radiograph is rarely obtained.

Origins of eponymous instruments in spine surgery.

Every day, spine surgeons call for instruments named after surgical pioneers. Few know the designers or the histories behind their instruments. In this paper the authors provide a historical perspective on the Penfield dissector, Leksell rongeur, Hibbs retractor, Woodson elevator, Kerrison rongeur, McCulloch retractor, Caspar pin retractor system, and Cloward handheld retractor, and a biographical review of their inventors.

Intraocular Pressure Increases After Intraarticular Knee Injection With Triamcinolone but Not Hyaluronic Acid.

Background: Intraarticular steroid injections are a common first-line therapy for severe osteoarthritis, which affects an estimated 27 million people in the United States. Although topical, oral, intranasal, and inhalational steroids are known to increase intraocular pressure in some patients, the effect of intraarticular steroid injections on intraocular pressure has not been investigated, to the best of our knowledge. If elevated intraocular pressure is sustained for long periods of time or is of sufficient magnitude acutely, permanent loss of the visual field can occur.

Ultrasound findings in asymptomatic patients with modular metal on metal total hip arthroplasty.

Objective: The use of metal-on-metal and modular total hip arthroplasty is associated with potentially serious local and systemic complications. The primary aim of this study was to identify the prevalence of a pseudotumor in asymptomatic patients with a particular metal-on-metal hip prosthesis after a minimum follow-up of 5 years using ultrasound evaluation. A secondary purpose was to identify associations between the presence of pseudotumor and serum metal ion levels following implantation.