Background: Spine immobilization is one of the most frequently performed prehospital procedures. If trauma patients without significant risk for spine injury complications can be identified, spine immobilization could be selectively performed. The purpose of this study was to evaluate five prehospital clinical criteria-altered mental status, neurologic deficit, spine pain or tenderness, evidence of intoxication, or suspected extremity fracture-the absence of which identify prehospital trauma patients without a significant spine injury.
Methods: Prospectively collected emergency medical services data items included the above-listed criteria. Outcome data include spine fracture or cord injury, and also the level and management of injuries.
Results: A total of 295 patients with spine injuries were present in 8,975 (3.3%) cases. Spine injury was identified by the prehospital criteria in 280 of 295 (94.9%) injured patients. The criteria missed 15 patients. Thirteen of 15 had stable injuries, the majority of which were stable compression or vertebral process injuries. The remaining two would have been captured by more accurate prehospital evaluation.
Conclusion: Absence of the study criteria may form the basis of a prehospital protocol that could be used to identify trauma patients who may safely have rigid spine immobilization withheld. Evaluation of such a protocol in practice should be performed.
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http://dx.doi.org/10.1097/00005373-200210000-00021 | DOI Listing |
Ther Clin Risk Manag
January 2025
Department of Emergency Medicine, Faculty of Medicine Ramathibodi Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand.
Introduction: Traumatic patients with cervical spine motion restriction have difficulty with endotracheal intubation (ETI) due to the limitations of neck movement and mouth opening. Nevertheless, the removal of the cervical collar for ETI in a prehospital setting may lead to a deterioration in neurological outcomes. This study compares the success rate of ETI utilizing a video laryngoscope (VL) on a manikin, contrasting manual in-line stabilization (MILS) without a cervical hard collar against full immobilization.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFClin Biomech (Bristol)
January 2025
Department of Kinesiology and Physical Education, Wilfrid Laurier University, Waterloo, Ontario, Canada; Department of Health Sciences, Wilfrid Laurier University, Waterloo, Ontario, Canada. Electronic address:
Background: Fusion changes the biomechanics of the spine leading to the potential development of adjacent segment disease. Despite many studies on adjacent segment disease, it is largely unknown how spinal fixation affects the mechanical properties of the adjacent disc. The purpose of this study was to assess whether axial compression causes mechanical disruption to the annulus when the caudal spinal level is immobilized or injured.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFJ Orthop Surg Res
January 2025
Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Beijing Chaoyang Hospital, Capital Medical University of China, Gongti South Rd, No. 8, Beijing, 100020, China.
Objective: This study aims to investigate changes in matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase (TIMP) levels in the intervertebral discs of New Zealand white rabbits under simulated overload and microgravity conditions, focusing on the expression of MMP1, MMP3, and TIMP1. The findings aim to provide a theoretical foundation for preventing and delaying lumbar disc degeneration in these environments.
Methods: Overload was simulated using an animal centrifuge, and microgravity was mimicked through tail suspension.
J Spine Surg
December 2024
Department of Neurosurgery, General Hospital Bamberg, Bamberg, Germany.
Background: Surgical treatment of therapy-resistant radiculopathy associated with lumbar herniated discs in patients with extreme obesity is a challenge for neurosurgeons. In addition to technical problems in surgery due to the abundant subcutaneous adipose tissue and perioperative risks, there are significant anesthetic risks when anesthesia is performed with a patient in the prone position. A surgical procedure should preferably be minimally traumatic and quick with minimal risks of complications.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFAdv Mater
January 2025
National Engineering Research Center for Tissue Restoration and Reconstruction, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou, 510006, China.
3D printed titanium scaffold has promising applications in orthopedics. However, the bioinert titanium presents challenges for promoting vascularization and tissue growth within the porous scaffold for stable osteointegration. In this study, a modular porous titanium scaffold is created using 3D printing and a gradient-surface strategy to immobilize QK peptide on the surface with a bi-directional gradient distribution.
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