Complications of halo fixation of the cervical spine.

Halo fixators play an integral role in stabilizing the cervical spine. They are most widely used after upper cervical to midcervical spine fractures and dislocations and as a supplement to various surgical fixation techniques. Compared with supine cervical traction techniques, halo fixators allow early patient mobilization and shorten hospital stays.

Whiplash: fact or fiction?

Cervical sprain/strain or whiplash injuries are a common cause of acute and chronic musculoskeletal impairments and are ubiquitous after rear-end automobile collisions. The diagnosis is largely subjective and the ideal treatment controversial. Unfortunately, the majority of compensated litigation claims are associated with whiplash-type injuries secondary to motor vehicle accidents.

Measurement variability in the assessment of sagittal alignment of the cervical spine: a comparison of the gore and cobb methods.

Background: Reconstructive procedures of the cervical spine are being performed with increasing frequency. Maintenance of physiologic sagittal alignment is an essential component of reconstructive procedures of the spine. Two methods exist for measuring sagittal alignment in the cervical spine: the Gore and Cobb methods.

Advances in surgical management of lumbar degenerative disease.

The past several years have seen many advances in spine technology. Some of these advances have improved the quality of life of patients suffering from disabling low back pain from degenerative disk disease. Traditional fusion procedures are trending toward less invasive approaches with less iatrogenic soft-tissue morbidity.