Measuring compressive loads on a 'smart' lumbar interbody fusion cage: Proof of concept.

There are several complications associated with lumbar interbody fusion surgery however, pseudarthrosis (non-union) presents a multifaceted challenge in the postoperative management of the patient. Rates of pseudarthrosis range from 3 to 20 % in patients with healthy bone and 20 to 30 % in patients with osteoporosis. The current methods in post-operative follow-up - radiographs and CT, have high false positive rates and poor agreement between them.

Finite element modeling of temporal bone graft changes in XLIF: Quantifying biomechanical effects at adjacent levels.

Extreme lateral interbody fusion allows for the insertion of a large-footprint interbody cage while maintaining the presence of natural stabilizing ligaments and the facets. It is unclear how the load-distribution mechanisms through these structures alter with temporal changes in the bone graft. The aim of this study was to examine the effects of temporal bone graft changes on load distribution among the cage, graft, and surrounding spinal structures using finite element analysis.

Complication rates of different discectomy techniques for symptomatic lumbar disc herniation: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Purpose: This meta-analysis aims to compare the complication rates of discectomy/microdiscectomy (OD/MD), microendoscopic discectomy (MED), percutaneous endoscopic lumbar discectomy (PELD), percutaneous laser disc decompression (PLDD), and tubular discectomy for symptomatic lumbar disc herniation (LDH) using general classification and modified Clavien-Dindo classification (MCDC) schemes.

Methods: We searched three online databases for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and cohort studies. Overall complication rates and complication rates per the above-mentioned classification schemes were considered as primary outcomes.

Smart orthopaedic implants: A targeted approach for continuous postoperative evaluation in the spine.

Real-time health monitoring systems are emerging in diverse medical fields, tracking biological and physiological signals for direct feedback to the user. Orthopaedics is yet to adapt to innovative trends in health monitoring. Despite an evident entry point during orthopaedic surgeries, clinicians remain unable to objectively examine the structural integrity and biomechanics in the operated region through implantable sensors.

The Role of Sacral Slope in the Progression of a Bilateral Spondylolytic Defect at L5 to Spondylolisthesis: A Biomechanical Investigation Using Finite Element Analysis.

Study Design: A biomechanical study using finite element analysis.

Objectives: The main objective of this study was to investigate the role of sacral slope in the progression of a L5 bilateral spondylolytic defect to spondylolisthesis.

Methods: A 3-dimensional model of lumbosacral spine was built using computed tomography (CT) data procured from an anonymized healthy male subject.

Mild (not severe) disc degeneration is implicated in the progression of bilateral L5 spondylolysis to spondylolisthesis.

Background: Spondylolytic (or lytic) spondylolisthesis is often associated with disc degeneration at the index-level; however, it is not clear if disc degeneration is the cause or the consequence of lytic spondylolisthesis. The main objective of this computed tomography based finite element modelling study was to examine the role of different grades of disc degeneration in the progression of a bilateral L5-lytic defect to spondylolisthesis.

Methods: High-resolution computed tomography data of the lumbosacral spine from an anonymised healthy male subject (26 years old) were segmented to build a 3D-computational model of an INTACT L1-S1 spine.