Prospective evaluation of a 3-blade speculum cannula for minimally invasive lumbar microdiscectomy.

Minimally invasive spine technology is still in an evolutionary stage. This prospective study reports the technical feasibility, benefits, and limitations of using a 3-blade speculum cannula for minimally invasive lumbar microdiscectomies. We studied 52 consecutive patients, 24 males and 28 females, with a mean age of 36.

Radiographs are not useful in detecting arthroscopically confirmed mild chondral damage.

Unlabelled: Preoperatively predicting chondral damage is important. Weightbearing radiographs, including the standing anteroposterior and 45 degrees flexion posteroanterior views traditionally have been used for this purpose. We wanted to determine if one radiograph had superior sensitivity or specificity in detecting arthroscopically confirmed Grade II chondromalacia (mild arthritis).

Intra-articular knee temperature changes: ice versus cryotherapy device.

Background: Cryotherapy is commonly applied without research documenting the intra-articular (IA) temperature changes or subject discomfort between ice and a cryotherapy device.

Hypothesis: The null hypothesis is that no difference would be observed in IA temperature decline or subject tolerance between ice and the cryotherapy device in normal knees.

Study Design: Prospective, within-subject controlled clinical trial.