Coccydynia Improved by Percutaneous Discectomy.

Usually, coccydynia cases are caused by herniated discs, with lower back pain and sciatica as initial symptoms. However, whether lumbar disc herniation causes coccydynia without back pain remains unclear. We report a case of lumbar disc herniation diagnosed as the underlying cause of coccydynia by discoblock.

Quantitative assessment of cervical disc degeneration using disc signal intensity index.

Background/context: The assessment of disc degeneration remains a significant challenge in clinical research. Pfirrmann grade is a frequently used classification for lumbar disc degeneration on MRI. However, there has been no gold standard for cervical spine disc degeneration.

Upper Thoracic Pyogenic Spondylitis With a Paravertebral Abscess Treated With a Combination of Cranked Minimally Invasive Spinal Instrumentation and Negative Pressure Wound Therapy: A Case Report.

Pyogenic spondylitis is generally managed conservatively; however, surgical intervention may be required depending on the patient's condition. In this report, we present a case of upper thoracic pyogenic spondylitis with a paravertebral abscess that was successfully treated using negative pressure wound therapy (NPWT) combined with a cranked rod construct and a minimally invasive posterior-only approach. This report was constructed based on previous medical records and imaging findings.

Minimally Invasive Treatment for Thoracolumbar Burst Fracture Using Sagittal Alignment Screws and A Trauma Reduction Device.

Thoracolumbar (TL) burst fracture is one of the most common indications for minimally invasive percutaneous pedicle screw fixation. Although the indication for surgical treatment of neurologically intact TL fractures remains under debate, studies have demonstrated that posttraumatic malalignment may lead to a deterioration in the patient's quality of life. For burst fractures with malalignment or fragments in the spinal canal, a reduction technique using ligamentotaxis is commonly used to improve long-term outcomes.

Quantitative Assessment of Intervertebral Disc Degeneration Using the Disc Signal Intensity Index in Patients With Spine-Related Pain.

Objective This is a retrospective observational study that aims to investigate the association between disc signal intensity index (DSI2) scores and patient-reported outcome measures in patients with lumbar spine disorders. Methods We introduced DSI2 to quantitatively assess disc degeneration. MRI records of patients with lumbar spine-related pain between 2019 and 2022 were analyzed retrospectively.

Postoperative decrease in Hounsfield unit values at adjacent vertebrae after thoraco-pelvic fusion as a risk factor of proximal junctional kyphosis.

Proximal junctional kyphosis and failure is a common complication of adult spinal deformity surgery, with osteoporosis as a risk factor. This retrospective study investigated the influence of long thoracolumbar fusion with pelvic fixation on regional bone density of adjacent vertebrae (Hounsfield units on computed tomography) and evaluated the association between bone loss and the incidence of proximal junctional kyphosis and failure. Patients who underwent long thoracolumbar fusion (pelvis to T10 or above) or single-level posterior lumbar interbody fusion (control group) between 2016 and 2022 were recruited.

The Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Ambulatory Lumbar Spine Decompression Surgery.

Background Only a few studies have examined the impact of the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic on spine ambulatory surgeries and changes in trends. Therefore, we investigated trends during the pre-pandemic period and three pandemic stages in patients undergoing lumbar decompression procedures in the ambulatory surgery (AMS) setting. Methodology A total of 2,670 adult patients undergoing one- or two-level lumbar decompression surgery were retrospectively reviewed.

Residual deformity after femoral neck fracture affects the location of osteonecrosis of the femoral head.

Aims: The localization of necrotic areas has been reported to impact the prognosis and treatment strategy for osteonecrosis of the femoral head (ONFH). Anteroposterior localization of the necrotic area after a femoral neck fracture (FNF) has not been properly investigated. We hypothesize that the change of the weight loading direction on the femoral head due to residual posterior tilt caused by malunited FNF may affect the location of ONFH.

Long-Term Outcomes of Cementless Bipolar Hemiarthroplasty in Young Patients With Osteonecrosis of the Femoral Head: The Impact of Implant Improvements and Preoperative Stage.

Introduction Advancements in bipolar hemiarthroplasty (BHA) implants in the mid-1990s contributed to favorable short-term outcomes for osteonecrosis of the femoral head (ONFH), particularly in cases without acetabular cartilage lesions. Nevertheless, long-term results remain unclear. In this study, we investigated (i) the impact of new-generation BHA implants and (ii) the effect of the preoperative stage on long-term outcomes in young patients with ONFH.

Relationship between sacral-abdominal wall distance, movement performance, and spinal alignment in osteoporosis: a retrospective study.

Background: Aging is associated with muscle atrophy, as typified by sarcopenia. Loss of abdominal muscle strength can cause abdominal wall laxity. The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between the sacral vertebra-abdominal wall distance (SAD) and movement performance using a simple lateral spine X-ray image for measuring the SAD.

Adjunctive intraosseous wiring fixation technique for the comminuted distal humeral fractures.

Distal humeral fractures are among the most challenging injuries to treat. Although precise repair of the articular surface is essential during surgery, accurate reconstruction of the metaphysis contributes to the overall stability of the fracture construct. The intraosseous wiring technique has been used for small-fragment fractures.

Utility of Ultrasound-Guided Erector Spinae Plane Blocks for Postoperative Pain Management Following Thoracolumbar Spinal Fusion Surgery.

Purpose: The primary objective of this study is to determine if ultrasound-guided erector spinae plane blocks (ESPB) prior to thoracolumbar spinal fusion reduces opioid consumption in the first 24 hours postoperatively. Secondary objectives include ESPB effects on administration of opioids, utilization of intravenous patient-controlled analgesia (IV-PCA), pain scores, length of stay, and opioid related side effects.

Methods: A retrospective cohort analysis was performed on consecutive, adult patients undergoing primary thoracolumbar fusion procedures.

Effectiveness of Pulsed Radiofrequency Based on the Minimum Clinically Important Differences in Lumbar Spine-Related Pain in Patients without Recent Lumbar Surgery.

Background: Pulsed radiofrequency (PRF) has been used for treatment of chronic pain in several body regions, including axial and radicular pain. However, a limited number of reports have specifically demonstrated the effectiveness of PRF for spine-related pain among nonsurgical patients. Therefore, we evaluated the effectiveness of PRF for lumbar spine-associated pain in patients without recent spine surgery, and identified the factors associated with clinically meaningful improvement in pain and quality of life.

Corrective Osteotomy of Malunited Forearm Fractures for Volar Distal Radioulnar Joint Instability: A Case Report.

Case: A 6-year-old girl who had midshaft forearm fractures treated conservatively had volar distal radioulnar joint (DRUJ) instability caused by radial malunion at the 1-year follow-up. Corrective osteotomy was planned using computer-aided design (CAD) software based on computed tomography images. According to the analysis, the radial bone had an 8° apex volar deformation in the sagittal plane.

The anatomical positioning change of retroperitoneal organs in prone and lateral position: an assessment for single-prone position lateral lumbar surgery.

Purpose: There are reports that performing lateral lumbar interbody fusion (LLIF) in a prone, single position (single-prone LLIF) can be done safely in the prone position because the retroperitoneal organs reflect anteriorly with gravity. However, only a few study has investigated the safety of single-prone LLIF and retroperitoneal organ positioning in the prone position. We aimed to investigate the positioning of retroperitoneal organs in the prone position and evaluate the safety of single-prone LLIF surgery.

The Utilization of Intraoperative Neurophysiological Monitoring for Lumbar Decompression and Fusion Surgery in New York State.

Study Design: Retrospective database analysis.

Objective: To elucidate trends in the utilization of intraoperative neurophysiological monitoring (IONM) during elective lumbar surgery procedures and to investigate the association between the use of IONM and surgical outcomes.

Background: The routine use of IONM in elective lumbar spine procedures has recently been called into question due to longer operative time, higher cost, and other substitute advanced technologies.

Risk Factors for Ambulatory Surgery Conversion to Extended Stay Among Patients Undergoing One-level or Two-level Posterior Lumbar Decompression.

Study Design: A retrospective observational study.

Objective: The objective of this study was to investigate the factors associated with the conversion of patient status from ambulatory surgery (AMS) to observation service (OS) (<48 h) or inpatient (>48 h).

Summary Of Background Data: AMS is becoming increasingly common in the United States because it is associated with a similar quality of care compared with inpatient surgery, significant costs reduction, and patients' desire to recuperate at home.

MRI-based vertebral bone quality score compared to quantitative computed tomography bone mineral density in patients undergoing cervical spinal surgery.

Purpose: The vertebral bone quality (VBQ) score based on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was introduced as a bone quality marker in the lumbar spine. Prior studies showed that it could be utilized as a predictor of osteoporotic fracture or complications after instrumented spine surgery. The objective of this study was to evaluate the correlation between VBQ scores and bone mineral density (BMD) measured by quantitative computer tomography (QCT) in the cervical spine.