The Effect of Melatonin on Radicular Pain in a Rat Model of Lumbar Disc Herniation.

Study Design: Controlled, randomized, animal study.

Objective: To investigate the effect of melatonin and its receptors on radicular pain and the possible mechanisms.

Summary Of Background Data: Lumbar disc herniation (LDH) may induce radicular pain, but the mechanism is not clear and therapeutic effect is still poor.

Puerarin alleviate radicular pain from lumbar disc herniation by inhibiting ERK-dependent spinal microglia activation.

Lumbar disc herniation is a common cause of radicular pain, but the mechanism remains ambiguous and the treatment stays unsatisfied. Many studies revealed a traditional Chinese medicine puerarin may moderate chronic pain from diabetes and nerve injury. Thus far, the role and mechanism of puerarin in radicular pain is still unknown.

Ideal T1 laminar screw fixation based on computed tomography morphometry.

Background: The application of laminar screws is an alternative fixation for the first thoracic vertebra (T1). This paper is to determine the anatomical characteristics for adequate laminar screw fixation, and present a modified method of sagittal reconstruction of T1 to provide more accurate measurements.

Methods: Computed tomography (CT) images of 62 patients (32 males, 30 females) were used for the analysis.

Comparison of unilateral versus bilateral percutaneous kyphoplasty for the treatment of patients with osteoporosis vertebral compression fracture (OVCF): a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Purpose: To compare the short- and long-term clinical outcomes, operation times, restoration rate, dosage of polymethylmeth-acrylate (PMMA) injected, complications and X-rays exposure frequency between unilateral and bilateral kyphoplasty approaches for the treatment of OVCF.

Study Design: Systematic review and meta-analysis.

Methods: Randomized or non-randomized controlled trials published up to April 2015 that compared the unilateral and bilateral PKP for the treatment of OVCF were acquired by a comprehensive search in the Cochrane Controlled Trial Register, PubMed, MEDLINE, EMBASE, Web of Science, OVID.

Three-dimensional alteration of cervical anterior spinal artery and anterior radicular artery in rat model of chronic spinal cord compression by micro-CT.

Objective: To investigate the spatial and temporal changes of anterior spinal artery (ASA) and anterior radicular artery (ARA) of chronic compressive spinal cord injury on rat model by three-dimensional micro-CT.

Methods: 48 rats were divided into two groups: sham control group (n=24) and compressive spinal cord injury group (n=24). A C6 semi-laminectomy was performed in the sham control group, while a water-absorbable polyurethane polymer was implanted into C6 epidural space in the compression group.

Systematic back muscle exercise after percutaneous vertebroplasty for spinal osteoporotic compression fracture patients: a randomized controlled trial.

Objective: To analyze the clinical significance of postoperative back muscle exercises after percutaneous vertebroplasty for spinal osteoporotic compression fracture patients.

Design: Clinical randomized controlled trials of parallel group nonpharmacologic study.

Setting: Patients practised back muscle exercises in the spinal surgery department, rehabilitation department and at their residences.