Upper Thoracic Compensation against Global Malalignment and Spinopelvic Mismatch in Adult Spinal Deformity Patients Analyzed Using the EOS Imaging System.

Introduction: Patients with adult spinal deformity (ASD) develop compensatory mechanisms. The Cobb angle between T4 and T12 has been used as a standard to define thoracic kyphosis (TK) because radiological evaluation is difficult in upper thoracic region. The upper thoracic compensatory mechanism has not been sufficiently explored, and focal thoracic compensation remains poorly understood.

Use of dynamic spinal brace in the management of neuromuscular scoliosis: a preliminary report.

Neuromuscular scoliosis is difficult to treat with braces because the collapsing trunk with the spinal deformity cannot tolerate the hard materials used for most orthoses. The dynamic spinal brace (DSB) is a novel three-point support brace used in Japan. We present our preliminary findings of 52 pediatric patients with neuromuscular scoliosis treated using DSBs.

Optimal arm position for evaluation of spinal sagittal balance.

Study Design: Analysis of sagittal vertical axis (SVA) on lateral spine radiographs in healthy normal volunteers.

Objectives: To determine the optimal arm position with the smallest negative shift in SVA.

Summary Of Background Data: Radiographic visualization of spinal and pelvic sagittal morphology is difficult with the participant in a relaxed standing position because of interference from the arms.

Does the fists-on-clavicles position represent a functional standing position?

Study Design: Prospective analysis of sagittal vertical axis (SVA) on lateral spine radiographs using 3 different arm positions.

Objective: To examine whether fists-on-clavicles position represents a functional standing position.

Summary Of Background Data: Radiographic visualization of spinal and pelvic sagittal morphology is difficult during relaxed standing because of interference from the arms; however, standing with arms forward-flexed results in a negative shift in SVA.

Clinical results of intrapedicular partial pediculectomy for lumbar foraminal stenosis.

Design: A retrospective case study of the use of intrapedicular partial pediculectomy (IPPP) to treat lumbar foraminal stenosis.

Objective: To evaluate the clinical results of lumbar foraminal stenosis treated with IPPP.

Summary Of Background Data: There is no gold standard for the surgical treatment of foraminal stenosis, which occurs in 8% of surgical cases of lumbar degenerative diseases.

The correlation of diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging in cervical compression myelopathy with neurologic and radiologic severity.

Study Design: A retrospective evaluation of diffusion-weighted imaging, apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) maps, and T2-weighted images in patients with cervical compression myelopathy.

Objective: To correlate high signal intensity on ADC maps and T2-weighted images to neurologic severity and radiologic spinal cord compression.

Summary Of Background Data: Previous studies indicated that the ADC map was more sensitive in detection of cervical compressive myelopathy than T2-weighted imaging.

Effectiveness of a lumbar support continuous passive motion device in the prevention of low back pain during prolonged sitting.

Study Design: Subjective ratings of discomfort were compared between a fixed lumbar support and lumbar support continuous passive motion (CPM) device.

Objective: To compare a fixed lumbar support with a lumbar support CPM device during prolonged sitting.

Summary Of Background Data: To prevent low back pain during prolonged sitting, an inflatable lumbar support CPM has been developed.

Down-regulation of basic fibroblast growth factor production from cartilage by excessive mechanical stress.

Background: We examined the effect of excessive stress on the production of basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) by bovine cartilage.

Methods: Bovine articular carpal bone was harvested and cut into 1 cm thick slices horizontally. Continuous compressive stress (0, 2, 20 MPa) was loaded on the cartilage of the carpal bone using a stainless-steel cylinder with a diameter of 8 mm for 1 h.

Repair of articular cartilage defect by autologous transplantation of basic fibroblast growth factor gene-transduced chondrocytes with adeno-associated virus vector.

Objective: To examine the effects of basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) gene-transduced chondrocytes on the repair of articular cartilage defects.

Methods: LacZ gene or bFGF gene was transduced into primary isolated rabbit chondrocytes with the use of a recombinant adeno-associated virus (AAV) vector. These gene-transduced chondrocytes were embedded in collagen gel and transplanted into a full-thickness defect in the articular cartilage of the patellar groove of a rabbit.

Effect of femoral nerve resection on progression of cartilage degeneration induced by anterior cruciate ligament transection in rabbits.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of femoral nerve resection on the progression of cartilage degeneration in an anterior cruciate ligament transection (ACLT) and partial meniscectomy (PM) model in rabbits. To induce degeneration of articular cartilage, PM and ACLT were performed on the bilateral knees of 24 rabbits, and femoral sensory nerve selective resection (FNR) was additionally performed on the left knee. Six rabbits each were killed 6 and 10 weeks after surgery to observe early cartilage degeneration and 17 and 24 weeks after surgery to evaluate the late phase.

Inhibition of lung metastasis of osteosarcoma cell line POS-1 transplanted into mice by thigh ligation.

Using a model with external ligation of the thigh, the effect of ischemia-reperfusion injury on tumor growth and the activity of lung metastasis was investigated in mice inoculated a spontaneous murine osteosarcoma cell line (POS-1) in vivo. POS-1 cell suspension was inoculated into the right hind footpad of 70 mice. Four weeks after inoculation, the ipsilateral thigh was ligated for 3 h in 15 mice and the contralateral thigh in 15 mice.

Gene marking in adeno-associated virus vector infected periosteum derived cells for cartilage repair.

Objective: To evaluate both the potential for transferring genes to periosteal cells using an adeno-associated virus (AAV) vector and the potential for gene expression after transplantation of those cells to a cartilage defect in vivo.

Methods: Periosteum was obtained from the tibia of 6-week-old rabbits and enzymatically digested. The isolated periosteum derived cells were cultured and the subconfluence cells were infected with a recombinant AAV expressing the LacZ gene (AAV-LacZ).

Use of joint fluid analysis for determining cartilage damage in osteonecrosis of the knee.

Objective: To assess the value of joint fluid analysis for determining cartilage degradation and prognosis in spontaneous osteonecrosis (ON) of the knee.

Methods: Synovial fluid was obtained from 30 knees with spontaneous ON (26 medial femoral condyles, 4 medial tibial plateaus) as well as from 50 knees with medial compartmental osteoarthritis (OA) as a control. Levels of chondroitin 6-sulfate (C6S), C4S, and hyaluronic acid were measured with high-performance liquid chromatography.