Enhancing gait mechanics: The effectiveness of a novel walking aid.

Background: A walking support orthosis known as the e-foot®, a rubber orthotic worn from the hip to the forefoot to enhance joint flexibility and movement, has been developed to assist elderly people and individuals with walking impairments. Despite its widespread acceptance and positive reception in some care settings, the precise impact of this device on gait dynamics remains unexplored. This study aims to bridge this gap by comparing the walking speeds of healthy volunteers using the e-foot® against their normal walking speeds.

Comparative Evaluation of Postoperative Epidural Hematoma after Lumbar Microendoscopic Laminotomy: The Utility of Ultrasonography versus Magnetic Resonance Imaging.

Introduction: Postoperative spinal epidural hematoma (PSEH) is a severe complication of spinal surgery that necessitates accurate and timely diagnosis. This study aimed to assess the accuracy of ultrasonography as an alternative diagnostic tool for PSEH after microendoscopic laminotomy (MEL) for lumbar spinal stenosis, comparing it with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).

Methods: A total of 65 patients who underwent MEL were evaluated using both ultrasound- and MRI-based classifications for PSEH.

Willingness to undergo the same surgery again among older patients who have undergone corrective fusion surgery for adult spinal deformity.

Despite less invasive surgical procedures in adult spinal deformity (ASD) surgery, some older patients have complications and long recovery time. We investigated patients' willingness to undergo the same surgery again and sought to elucidate the factors related to their perception of surgical outcomes. Enrolled were 60 of our patients (≥65 years old) that underwent long corrective fusion using lateral interbody fusion and who had a minimum of 2 years of follow-up.

Long-term efficacy of microendoscopic laminotomy for lumbar spinal stenosis in advanced degenerative spondylolisthesis with or without dynamic spinal instability: a propensity score-matching analysis.

Objective: In this study, the authors aimed to determine the mid- to long-term outcomes of microendoscopic laminotomy (MEL) for lumbar spinal stenosis (LSS) with degenerative spondylolisthesis (DS) and identify preoperative predictors of poor mid- to long-term outcomes.

Methods: The authors retrospectively reviewed the medical records of 274 patients who underwent spinal MEL for symptomatic LSS. The minimum postoperative follow-up duration was 5 years.

Long-term Outcomes After Adult Spinal Deformity Surgery Using Lateral Interbody Fusion: Short Versus Long Fusion.

Study Design: Retrospective cohort study.

Objective: To investigate long-term outcomes after short or long fusion for adult spinal deformity using lateral interbody fusion.

Summary Of Background Data: Lateral interbody fusion is commonly used in adult spinal deformity surgery.

Outcomes and Vertebral Osteophytes and Bulging Intervertebral Discs Occupancy as a Decision-Making Tool for Surgical Success in Patients Undergoing Microendoscopic Foraminotomy for Lumbar Foraminal Stenosis.

Objective: The objective of this study was to determine the long-term outcomes of microendoscopic foraminotomy in treating lumbar foraminal stenosis and identify the optimal extent of decompression that yields improved results and fewer complications.

Methods: A retrospective cohort study reviewed the medical records of 95 consecutive patients who underwent microendoscopic foraminotomy for lumbar foraminal stenosis. Clinical outcomes were assessed using the Japanese Orthopaedic Association scoring system and visual analog scale for low back and leg pain.

Plasma pentosidine concentration is associated with ligament ossification and high-grade osteoarthritis: The ROAD study.

Aim: No studies have examined the association between plasma pentosidine levels and ossification diseases in large cohorts of Japanese residents. This study aimed to investigate the association between cervical ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament (OPLL) and other ossification diseases, including diffuse idiopathic skeletal hyperostosis, lumbar spondylosis and knee osteoarthritis (OA), by examining plain radiographs of the knee, and cervical, thoracic and lumbar spine from 1690 participants, and the association between these diseases and plasma pentosidine.

Design: We enrolled 1690 participants (596 men and 1094 women) from mountainous and coastal areas from the study population of the previous Research on Osteoarthritis/Osteoporosis Against Disability study.

Sarcopenia at the upper instrumented vertebra is more significantly associated with proximal junctional kyphosis after long fusion for adult spinal deformity surgery than osteopenia.

Proximal junctional kyphosis (PJK) is a major mechanical complication after adult spinal deformity (ASD) surgery, and is multifactorial. Osteopenia and sarcopenia are patient risk factors, but it has not yet been well-documented which of them is the more significant risk factor. We retrospectively studied patients older than 50 years who underwent ASD surgery from the lower thoracic spine to the pelvis.

Association between modic changes, disc degeneration, and pelvic incidence-lumbar lordosis mismatch in a large population based cohort: the Wakayama spine study.

Purpose: Sagittal plane alignment is crucial for treating spinal malalignment and low back pain. Pelvic incidence-lumbar lordosis (PI-LL) mismatch is commonly used to evaluate clinical outcomes in patients with sagittal malalignment. The association between PI-LL mismatch and changes surrounding the intervertebral disc is very important to understand the compensatory mechanisms involved.

Ultrasonography is an effective tool for the evaluation of traumatic vertebral artery injuries distal to fourth cervical vertebra in the emergency room.

Background: This study aimed to determine the feasibility of ultrasonography in the assessment of cervical vertebral artery (VA) injury as an alternative to computed tomography angiography (CTA) in the emergency room.

Methods: We analyzed 50 VAs from 25 consecutive patients with cervical spine injury that had been admitted to our emergency room. Ultrasonography and CTA were performed to assess the VA in patients with cervical spine injury.

Spinopelvic fusion surgery from lower thoracic spine to pelvis increased hip joint moment-motion analysis.

Purpose: Spinal fusion surgery is often performed with pelvic fixation to prevent distal junctional kyphosis. The inclusion of spinopelvic fixation has been reported to induce progression of hip joint arthropathy in a radiographic follow-up study. However, its biomechanical mechanism has not yet been elucidated.

Is radiographic lumbar spinal stenosis associated with the quality of life?: The Wakayama Spine Study.

Objectives: This prospective study aimed to determine the association between radiographic lumbar spinal stenosis (LSS) and the quality of life (QOL) in the general Japanese population.

Methods: The severity of radiographic LSS was qualitatively graded on axial magnetic resonance images as follows: no stenosis, mild stenosis with ≤1/3 narrowing, moderate stenosis with a narrowing between 1/3 and 2/3, and severe stenosis with > 2/3 narrowing. Patients less than 40 years of age and those who had undergone previous lumbar spine surgery were excluded from the study.

Sagittal imbalance of the spine-pelvis-lower extremity axis associated with back-related disability.

Background: The impact of sagittal imbalance in patients has been reported in LBP and LBP-related disabilities due to spinopelvic imbalance. However, no reports investigating the spine-pelvis-lower extremity axis using lateral images have been reported thus far. This study introduced a novel parameter of the spine-pelvis-lower extremity axis and evaluated whether this parameter was related to symptoms.

Psychological Distress Associated with Patient-Reported Outcomes in Preoperative Patients with Lumbar Spinal Stenosis.

Study Design: Cross-sectional study.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of psychotic symptoms such as anxiety and fear in patients undergoing lumbar spinal canal stenosis.

Overview Of Literature: Recently, patients with spinal disorders have not only been evaluated objectively for their disease, but also for patient-reported outcomes (PROs) including pain, physical function, and quality of life (PROs).

Prevalence of cervical anterior and posterior spondylolisthesis and its association with degenerative cervical myelopathy in a general population.

The purpose of this study was to examine the prevalence of cervical spondylolisthesis according to age and vertebral level and its association with degenerative cervical myelopathy (DCM). This study included 959 participants (319 men and 640 women; mean age, 66.4 years) in the Wakayama Spine Study from 2008 to 2010.

Could automated machine-learned MRI grading aid epidemiological studies of lumbar spinal stenosis? Validation within the Wakayama spine study.

Background: MRI scanning has revolutionized the clinical diagnosis of lumbar spinal stenosis (LSS). However, there is currently no consensus as to how best to classify MRI findings which has hampered the development of robust longitudinal epidemiological studies of the condition. We developed and tested an automated system for grading lumbar spine MRI scans for central LSS for use in epidemiological research.

The New Strategy for the Treatment of Cerebrospinal Fluid Leak Following Lumbar Surgery.

Introduction: Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leak is a common complication of surgery involving the lumbar spine. However, although there are various therapeutic options for CSF leak, there is currently no optimal technique, and the choice of therapy often depends on the surgeon's cumulative experience. The aim of this study was to describe the successful treatment of CSF leakage using blood injection therapy along the drain removal tract.

Prevalence of Facet Effusion and Its Relationship with Lumbar Spondylolisthesis and Low Back Pain: The Wakayama Spine Study.

Introduction: Facet effusion represents a magnetic resonance imaging finding suggesting accumulation of fluid in the facet joint, potentially predictive of lumbar spondylolisthesis and low back pain. However, its prevalence and epidemiological characteristics in the general population remain unclear, because previous studies only included patients or volunteers. The aim of the present study was to investigate the prevalence of facet effusion in the general population and to describe its potential relationship with spondylolisthesis and low back pain.

Is radiographic lumbar spondylolisthesis associated with occupational exposures? Findings from a nested case control study within the Wakayama spine study.

Background: To explore the relationship between radiographic spondylolisthesis and occupational factors in a case-control study nested within the Wakayama Spine Study (WSS).

Methods: The WSS is a cross-sectional observational study amongst Japanese adults. All participants completed a lifetime occupational history and underwent X-rays of the lumbar spine (L1-S1) according to a pre-defined protocol.

Preoperative psychological factors affecting surgical satisfaction of elderly patients with lumbar spinal stenosis.

Objective: The objective of this observational study was to investigate the effects of preoperative psychological factors on short-term patient satisfaction with surgery in elderly patients with lumbar spinal stenosis (LSS).

Methods: Surgery was performed on 90 elderly patients with clinically and radiologically defined LSS: mean age at surgery, 73 years; 46 men and 44 women. Patients completed questionnaires before surgery and 1 year postoperatively.

The Impact of Lumbar Spinal Stenosis, Knee Osteoarthritis, and Loss of Lumbar Lordosis on the Quality of Life: Findings from the Katsuragi Low Back Pain Study.

Introduction: Musculoskeletal diseases and spinal malalignment are associated with poorer quality of life (QOL) in the elderly. However, to date, few general population cohort studies have focused on these conditions together. Our objectives were to clarify the associations between musculoskeletal degenerative diseases and/or spinal malalignment with QOL measures in a group of Japanese older adults.

Factory and construction work is associated with an increased risk of severe lumbar spinal stenosis on MRI: A case control analysis within the wakayama spine study.

Background: To explore the association of MRI-diagnosed severe lumbar spinal stenosis with occupation.

Methods: Occupational data were collected by questionnaire and all participants underwent spine MRI scans using the same protocol. Central lumbar spinal stenosis (LSS) was graded qualitatively.