Insurance and Employment Status Are Correlated With the Presence of Waddell Signs.

Objective: The aim of the study was to determine whether employment or insurance status is associated with the presence and number of Waddell signs.

Design: In this cross-sectional study, adult low back pain patients were seen at a tertiary academic center for thoracic or lumbar back pain, due to a degenerative condition. Frequency data were compared with contingency table analysis, including χ2 and logistic regression.

Utility of upright radiographs in traumatic thoracolumbar fracture management.

Background: It is common practice to use a combination approach of computed tomography (CT) scan followed by upright radiographs when assessing traumatic thoracolumbar (TL) vertebral fractures. The purpose of this study was to determine the clinical utility of upright spine radiographs in the setting of traumatic TL fracture management. Our null hypothesis is that upright TL radiographs rarely change management of acute vertebral fractures.

Effects of delayed postoperative void and preoperative urologic symptoms on delay in time of discharge for elective lumbar decompression surgery.

Background Context: Almost half of all patients undergoing lumbar spine surgery have preoperative lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS). These symptoms could affect postoperative voiding and subsequently length of stay.

Purpose: To investigate the association between preoperative LUTS and time to first void and between time to first void and time to discharge among patients undergoing elective lumbar decompression surgery.

Physical Examination Is Predictive of Cauda Equina Syndrome: MRI to Rule Out Diagnosis Is Unnecessary.

Study Design: Cross-sectional cohort study.

Objectives: Cauda equina syndrome (CES) is a neurologic emergency, and delay in diagnosis can result in irreversible impairment. Our purpose was to determine the value of physical examination in diagnosis of CES in patients complaining of bladder and/or bowel complications in the emergency department.

Risk Factors Associated With Femoral Ring Allograft Breakage in ALIF.

Study Design: This is a retrospective chart review.

Objectives: To identify the incidence of, and variables correlated with, femoral ring allograft (FRA) fracture following anterior lumbar interbody fusion (ALIF).

Methods: All patients who underwent ALIF using FRAs at an academic institution over 10 years were included.