Porous 3D Printed Titanium Cages in Anterior Cervical Discectomy and Fusion are Associated With Less Subsidence, Improved Maintenance of Segmental Lordotic Correction, and Similar Clinical Outcomes as Allograft.

Study-design: Retrospective chart review.

Objectives: Investigate radiographic and clinical outcomes of 3D printed titanium cages (3DTC) vs allograft in patients undergoing Anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF).

Methods: Consecutive series of patients undergoing ACDF with 3DTC were compared to patients using corticocancellous allograft.

White Cord Syndrome and Acute Tetraplegia After Posterior Cervical Decompression: A Case Report.

Case: A 55-year-old man undergoes posterior cervical decompression and instrumentation for progressive cervical myelopathy and develops white cord syndrome (WCS) postoperatively with acute tetraplegia.

Conclusion: WCS is a rare complication of spinal surgery that is thought to be due to reperfusion injury. We diagnosed WCS in our patient through postoperative examination consisting of acute tetraplegia and magnetic resonance imaging revealing increased signal in the cord.

Thoracolumbar spinal fractures associated with ground level falls in the elderly: An analysis of 254,486 emergency department visits.

Study Design: retrospective.

Objectives: To investigate the epidemiology of elderly (age ≥65 years) patients who presented to the emergency department (ED) in the United States with thoracolumbar (TL) fractures after ground level falls.

Methods: Using the National Emergency Department Sample database, we queried all ED visits in the United States from 2009 through 2012 of elderly patients who presented after ground level falls.

Effect of Age on Complication Rates and Outcomes Following First Metatarsophalangeal Arthrodesis for Hallux Rigidus.

Background: Hallux rigidus is one of the most common toe pathologies in patients greater than 50 years old. Although metatarsophalangeal (MTP) arthrodesis is used to improve pain and function, older patients are often considered to be higher-risk operative candidates. There are minimal data on outcomes of MTP fusion and no studies comparing outcomes between geriatric and younger patients.

Role of Hypoalbuminemia as an Independent Predictor of 30-Day Postoperative Complications Following Surgical Fixation of Ankle Fractures.

Background: Malnutrition is known to be negatively associated with outcomes after multiple orthopedic procedures. We hypothesized that admission albumin levels, as a marker for malnutrition, would correlate with postoperative outcomes. The purpose of this study was to investigate this relationship following surgery for ankle fracture.

Diagnostic Accuracy of the Scapular Retraction Test in Assessing the Status of the Rotator Cuff.

Background: Currently, clinical physical examination maneuvers alone provide variable reliability in diagnosing full-thickness rotator cuff tears (RCTs).

Purpose: To assess the diagnostic accuracy of the scapular retraction test (SRT) to predict full-thickness RCTs.

Study Design: Cohort study (diagnosis); Level of evidence, 2.

Do Magnetic Resonance Imaging Characteristics of Full-Thickness Rotator Cuff Tears Correlate With Sleep Disturbance?

Background: Many patients with rotator cuff tears suffer from nocturnal shoulder pain, resulting in sleep disturbance.

Purpose: To determine whether rotator cuff tear size correlated with sleep disturbance in patients with full-thickness rotator cuff tears.

Study Design: Cross-sectional study; Level of evidence, 3.