Objective: The most dreaded and crippling complication of spinal tuberculosis is pott’s paraplegia. The use of instrumentation in the presence of infection is usually deferred for the fear of formation of a focus, persistence bio material centered infection, preferential bacterial colonization and production of a bio-film (glycocalyx) which protects them from host defenses and chemotherapeutic agents. Fortunately, mycobacterium tuberculosis is less adhesive and produces less bio-film than other bacteria and the likelihood of persistence infection in the presence of implants is smaller. Design: The present study is being conducted to study the positive and negative effects of decompression with instrumentation and to analyze and compare the results of conservative treatment, surgical decompression and decompression with instrumentation. Participants/Methods: The study was conducted in 56 patients. All patients of Pott’s Paraplegia admitted during June,02 to June,03 were included. According to the treatment given the patients were divided into three groups:. Group I – Conservative treatment. Group II – Surgical decompression only. Group III – Surgical decompression combined with instrumentation. Results: At different time intervals almost equal neurological recovery was found in group II and group III while slow recovery in group I. The mean ambulatory time was almost equal in group I and group II while very low (less than a week) in group III. Pain function score grade shifted towards excellency with time in all groups-- p=4.48 x 10-3 in group I, p=4.44 x 10-7 in group in II and p = 4.49 x 10-7 in group III. The change from grade B to grade A is quick in group III. Excellent grade is maximum (77.8%) in group III and nil in group I (p value at 6 in = 1.22 x 10-3 which is statistically significant

There have been many reports on fracture-dislocation of the lumbar spine in recent years. Hyperextension as a mechanism for fracture-dislocation in the thoracolumbar spine was first described by Holdsworth accounting for only less than 3 percent of all fractures of the spine. De Oliverira reported an unusual pattern of sagittal shear fracture-dislocation secondary to posterior impact injuries. Hyperextension injuries result in the disruption of all ligaments & supporting elements of the spine starting with the anterior column. Sagittal translation and comminution of the posterior elements are the most common radiographic findings. Computed Tomography can accurately demonstrate the destruction of the posterior elements, and MRI is able to demonstrate the anterior ligamentous disruption. Nearly all cases suffered from paraplegia known as lumberjack paraplegia or severe neurological deficit. A case of complete fracture-dislocation of the L4-5 resulting from hyperextensive injury without lumberjack paraplegia or neurological deficit is presented. The diagnosis & treatment will be discussed

Introduction Management of bedsores in traumatic paraplegia has been a challenge since time immemorial. Conventional serial debridement and dressings require prolong hospitalization, imply posible complications and are an economic burden. Modalities like hyperbaricoxygen, electrical stimulation, altered cultured keratinocytes are cumbersome, expensive, and not readily available. Negative pressure to promote wound healing is under evolution. This study evaluates the effect of negative pressure in bedsore management. Methods The Negative Pressure Device (NPD) included sterilized foam, a low power continuous suction apparatus (Romovac) and a transparent polyurethane adhesive dressing. NPD was exclusively a bedside procedure. The perforated end of a drainage tube was placed on the wound surface and other end exited 10 cms away from wound margin, connected to Romovac. Sterilized foam was trimmed to size and geometry of wound as cover. Opsite closed the wound with an airtight seal. The bellow of Romovac was charged to attain negative pressure. Recharging was done after five to six hours. The wound inspected and dressings changed every five to seven days. Results NPD converted an open wound into a close controlled wound. By drawing away fluid from the wound it prevented collection of secretions and decreased purulence. Negative pressure increased vascularity, enhanced granulation tissue and rapidly reduced the size and depth of wound. Airtight sealing prevented soiling and odor enabling universal acceptance. In controlled based study, NPD: Reduced the frequency of dressing from once daily to once in five to seven days (cost effective). Reduced bacterial contamination and substantially increased granulation tissue. Serial microbial assessment of wound revealed efficacy in controlling bacterial growth and achieving a sterile culture within 10 days. Prooved itself to be an efficient and painless method of serial debridement. Reduced wound size and depth to one third of the original within three weeks. Was well tolerated by patients. The drawbacks of NPD were: Failure in low sacral bedsores close to the natal cleft. Difficulty in getting an airtight seal using Opsite. The tendency of the sterile foam to disintegrate, making the secretions viscous and clogging the drain. Tendency to increase bleeding, during changes of dressings, from the exuberant granulation tissue which formed. Conclusions NPD is a bedside procedure, easy to apply, with minimal side effects. It reduces the frequency of dressings and duration of hospitalization. By converting an open wound into a close-controlled wound it decreases purulence, hastens recovery and prevents soiling and the characteristic odor. The NPD apparatus suggested is innovative, cost-effective

Introduction: Musculoskeletal injuries of the shoulder in paraplegic patients can result from overuse and/or incorrect use of wheelchairs. With improved long-term survival of these patients who exclusively depend on their upper extremities for weight-bearing activities such as transfers and wheelchair propulsion, they are particularly susceptible for shoulder pathologies. The purpose of this study was to compare the functional and structural changes in weight-bearing shoulders of paraplegic patients who are wheelchair dependent for more than 30 years with able-bodied volunteers.

Methods: This was a randomized study with 80 (160 shoulders) patients who had been paraplegic and wheelchair dependent for a mean of 33 years. These patients were matched for gender, age, occupation, and hobbies to a group of 80 (160 shoulders) able-bodied volunteers. The mean age for the paraplegic patients was 54 years and 51 years for the matched volunteers. Shoulders from both groups were prospectively evaluated using MRI. All films were analyzed by two board-certified radiologists who were blinded to the study. Prospectively collected outcome measures included a standardized clinical examination protocol, the Constant score, and visual analog scale (VAS) pain scores.

Results: The shoulder function according to the Constant score was significantly worse in paraplegic patients compared to able-bodied volunteers (p< 0.001). Similarly, the VAS scores were significant greater in the paraplegic patients (three-fold higher pain intensity, p< 0.001). Comparison of the MRI films of the paraplegic patients and the volunteers revealed the following significant differences: rotator cuff tears 67% (108/160) vs 5.6% (9/160); tendonitis 50% (80/160) vs 23% (37/160); tendonitis of the long head of the biceps 25% (40/160) vs 3.7% (6/160); rupture of the long head of the biceps 10% (16/160) vs 2.5% (4/160); subacromial subdeltoid bursitis 71% (113/160) vs 34% (55/160); acromioclavicular osteoarthritis 33% (53/160) vs 15% (24/160); and glenohumeral osteoarthritis 15% (24/160) vs 8% (13/160).

Conclusion: This is the first study comparing the long-term effect on shoulder pathologies of paraplegic wheelchair users to a cohort of able-bodied volunteers. The complications of weight-bearing activities in these patients require appropriate prevention including wheelchair and/or home modification, physical therapy, pharmacological pain management, surgical intervention, and patient education.

Background and Purpose: Tuberculosis is a common cause of mortality and morbidity in our country. Late neurological deficits following conservative management can occur though not very common. Deformity correction and decompression at a single sitting in a healed tuberculous spine is a massive undertaking and it requires experience and appropriate technique to achieve a good correction.

Materials and Methods: We operated upon 22 patients with a deformed spine and a progressive neurological deficit following healed tuberculosis. All patients complained of pain and found the cosmetic appearance unacceptable. The average age was 29 years {19 – 35 years}. All patients had completed a course of four drugs anti tuberculous chemotherapy for a minimum period of 12 months. All patients were screened for disease activity before surgery. The average Konstam angle before surgery was 86 degrees {80–105 degrees}. All patients underwent single stage surgical correction by a posterior based pedicle subtraction osteotomy with excision of the internal gibbus and further decompression and posterior stabilization using a screw rod construct. The local bone chips removed during the surgical procedure was used to promote fusion.

Results: We achieved an average kyphosis correction of 60 degrees {52–75 degrees}. At an average follow up of 18 months the average loss of correction was 3 degrees. The mean operating time was 165 minutes {120 – 210 minutes}. The mean blood loss was 800 ml {700–1100 ml}. All patients had significant improvement in their post operative pain scores and disability outcome measures. All patients were greatly satisfied with the cosmetic result obtained. There were no major intra operative or post operative complications.

Conclusion: Transpedicular three-column osteotomy uses a posterior approach and generally leaves no gap anteriorly. The anterior column is not opened as in a Smith-Petersen osteotomy. Posterior approach offers access to all three columns of the spine and avoids the morbidity associated with the anterior approach. The internal gibbus can be addressed and the normal posterior bony elements in tuberculosis can be used for achieving fusion.

Intrathecal morphine (IM) is a common adjunct in paediatric spinal deformity surgery. We previously demonstrated with idiopathic scoliosis it provides safe and effective analgesia in the immediate postoperative period. This study represents our 25 year experience with IM in all diagnostic groups. Our prospective Pediatric Orthopaedic Spine Database (1993–2018) was reviewed to identify all patients undergoing spinal deformity surgery who received IM and who did not. Patients 21 years of age or less who had a posterior spinal fusion (PSF) with segmental spinal instrumentation (SSI), and received 9–19 mcg/kg (up to 1 mg) of IM were included. Early onset scoliosis surgical patients were excluded. We assessed demographics, pain scores, time to first dose of opioids, diagnoses, surgical time, paediatric intensive care unit (PICU) admission and IM complications (respiratory depression, pruritus, nausea/ vomiting). There were 986 patients who met inclusion criteria. This included 760 patients who received IM and 226 who did not. IM was not used for short procedures (< 3 hrs), respiratory concerns, unsuccessful access of intrathecal space, paraplegia, and anesthesiologist decision. Both groups followed the same strict perioperative care path. The patients were divided into 5 diagnostic groups (IM / non IM patients): idiopathic (578/28), neuromuscular (100/151), syndromic (36/17), and congenital scoliosis (32/21) and kyphosis (14/9). Females predominated over males (697/289). The first dose of opioids after surgery was delayed for a mean of 10.6 hrs in IM group compared to 2.3 hrs in the non-IM group (p=0.001). The postoperative pain scores were significantly lower in the IM groups in the Post Anesthesia Care Unite (p=0.001). Only 17 IM patients (2%) were admitted to the PICU for observation secondary to respiratory depression, none required re-intubation. None of the IM group were re-intubated. Forty-nine patients (6%) experienced pruritus in the IM group compared to 4 of 226 patients (2%) in the non IM group. There were 169 patients (22%) of the IM patients and 21 patients (9%) of the non IM had nausea and vomiting postoperatively. Three patients (0.39%) had a dural leak from the administration of IM but did not require surgical repair. There were no other perioperative complications related to the use of IM. There were no significant group differences. Pre-incision IM is a safe and effective adjunct for pain management in all diagnostic groups undergoing spinal surgery. The IM patients had lower pain scores and a longer time to first administration of post-operative opioids. Although there is an increased frequency of respiratory depression, pruritus, and nausea/vomiting in the IM group, there were no serious complications

Spinal tuberculosis is one of the most common presentations of skeletal tuberculosis. It is one of the major health issues of developing countries as it is associated with significant morbidity and mortality. Pott's paraplegia is a dreaded complication which can result in permanent neurological deficit, unless treated by timely intervention. We evaluated the efficacy of transpedicular decompression and functional recovery in patients of spinal tuberculosis with neurological deficit. A cohort of 23 patients (15 males and 8 female) with diagnosed spinal tuberculosis and having an average age of 37.5±8.4 years, satisfying our inclusion and exclusion criteria's and giving written informed consent were recruited in our study. All patients were managed by transpedicular decompression and fusion with posterior instrumentation. All the patients were followed up clinically, radiologically and hematologically. Patients were followed up at every six weeks for 4 months and thereafter at three monthly intervals to assess the long term outcomes and complications. Neurological evaluation was done by Frankel grading. Functional outcome was assessed by Visual Analog Score (VAS) and Owestry Disability Index score (ODI score). All the patients were followed for a minimum of 27 months. At the final follow-up, there was a statistically significant improvement in VAS score and ODI score. Out of 23 patients, all except three patients showed neurological recovery. We observed that transpedicular decompression is safe and effective approach for management of spinal tuberculosis as it allows adequate decompression of spinal cord while pedicular instrumentation provides stable spinal fixation and helps in early rehabilitation

Cervical spine fractures are frequent in impact sports, such as rugby union. The consequences of these fractures can be devastating as they can lead to paraplegia, tetraplegia and death. Many studies have been conducted to understand the injury mechanisms but the relationship between player cervical spine posture and fracture pattern is still unclear. The aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of player cervical spine posture on fracture pattern due to an impact load. Nineteen porcine cervical spines (C2 to C6) were dissected, potted in PMMA bone cement and mounted in a custom made rig. They were impacted with a mean load of 6 kN. Eight specimens were tested in an axial position, five in flexion and six in lateral bending. All specimens were micro-CT imaged (Nikon XT225 ST Scanner, Nikon Metrology, UK) before and after the tests, and the images were used to assess the fracture patterns. The injuries were classified according to Allen-Ferguson classification system by three independent observers. The preliminary results showed that the main fracture modalities were consistent with those seen clinically. The main fractures for the axial orientation were observed in C5-C6 level with fractures on the articular process and endplates. These findings support the concept that the fracture patterns are related to the spine position and give an insight for improvements on sports rules in order to reduce the risk of injury

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the use of spinal rehabilitation services in Gauteng Province. During the period November 2001 to March 2002 we sent a questionnaire to all hospitals under the control of the Gauteng Health Department. Identified individuals in each hospital completed the questionnaires. The results were analysed statistically. A mean 153 patients were admitted every month. On average, traumatic penetrating injuries accounted for 64 patients, fractures for 52, infectious diseases for 14, tumours for eight, vascular compromise for one, miscellaneous causes for five and readmissions for nine. On average, four patients died after admission. The majority (61%) of readmissions were because of pressure sores. Every month a mean 24 patients were discharged. Neurological levels were as follows: incomplete paraplegia 19%, complete paraplegia 45%, complete quadriplegia 19%, incomplete quadriplegia 17%. The mean length of stay was 44 days. Traumatic penetrating injury called for a mean stay of 63 days, fracture 81 days, infectious diseases 56 days, tumours 49 days, vascular problems six days and other causes eight days. Only 53% of patients were admitted to a spinal unit, while 36% were treated in general wards and 11% were admitted to ‘rehabilitation beds’. We believe that spinal rehabilitation needs to be recognised as a specialised field. More rehabilitation beds are needed. Referral routes to dedicated spinal units need to be improved and available facilities optimally used and distributed

Rigid angular kyphotic deformities of the spine have been corrected by staged anterior and posterior procedures. This paper evaluates the efficacy of single stage transpedicular decancellation, vertebral column mobilization and spinal shortening in the correction of rigid THORACIC kyphotic deformities in adolescent patients. Between 1993 and 1999, 21 patients with rigid kyphosis underwent deformity correction using the above procedure. The deformity was thoracic in 6 patients, thoraco-lumbar in 14 and lumbar in one patient. This report focuses on 6 patients with thoracic deformity. The etiology in 5 patients was due to tuberculosis while one patient had a congenital anomaly. There were 4 females and 2 male patients. The average age was 12 years. The average kyphosis was 75 degrees (38 – 135 degrees). Of the 6 patients, 2 had preoperative paraplegia. All cases were assessed using CT and MRI scans in addition to plain radiographs. The surgical technique utilized the principle of transpedicular decancellation through a single posterior midline exposure in the prone position. Following complete decancellation of the apical vertebrae, the proximal and distal vertebral column was adequately mobilized to enable spinal shortening along with anterior translation. Segmental spinal instrumentation was used to achieve stable fixation.Intraoperatively, the wake-up test was used to assess the neurological function. This was followed by anterior interbody fusion and posterolateral fusion. At an average follow-up of 36 months, average kyphosis correction was 61% and all cases were adequately fused. Both cases with paraplegia recovered completely. The average loss of correction was 6 degrees. One patient developed hyperlordosis below the corrected level. This was revised by extending the spinal fixation to include the lower levels. In conclusion, the above procedure is used as a last resort for correction of rigid angular deformities. It is a safe but demanding procedure. Spinal column shortening is essential to avoid neurologic compromise and balance the column

A total number of 428 patients underwent surgical procedure due to different acquired spinal disorders. Conservative approaches were tried where it was indicated. When there was no improvement with conservative treatment then surgical procedures were adopted. It was a prospective study which was done in both Govt. and private hospitals irrespective of age & sex. Total period was from August 2002 to February, 2008. Age of the patients ranged between from 8–65 years. In this series male was more dominant than female. In this series main causes were traumatic, infective, degenerative & neoplastic disorders. Prolapsed Lumber Inter-vertibral Disc 202, prolapse cervical disc 15, unstable spinal injuries 86, Pott’s paraplegia 68, degenerative disc disease 18, spondilolisthesis 12 and neoplastic both primary & secondary were 9 cases. Fenestration & disectomy done in PLID and decompression and stabilization done in unstable spinal injuries. Instrumentation done as adjuvant to achieve early biological union of bone. In Pott’s disease when conservative treatment failed to improve, decompression and stabilization was done by thoracotomy specially in at thoraco-lumber tuberculosis. Clowards operation done in cervical disc prolapse & spinal canal stenosis. Laminectomy done in lumber spinal canal stenosis. In spondilolisthesis, laminectomy followed by stabilization done by bilateral pedicular screw fixation with or without inter-body bony fusion. Excellent and satisfactory results were achieved in incomplete unstable injuries. No neurological improvement detected in complete injuries. Maximum Pott’s paraplegia regained their neurological function and bowel bladder dysfunction except one who recovered her one limb function full but other limb become spastic. In PLID maximum patients improved immediately after surgery. Few patients required physiotherapy after surgery and improved later on. In Spondilolisthesis patients became symptoms free after decompression and in situ fusion by instrumentation. In complete spinal injuries no improvements were detected. Breaking of pedicular screws observed in two cases. Mal-position of screws in 5 cases observed in traumatic spinal injuries. Post operative discitis developed in 2 cases after PLID operation 2 cases required surgery second time due to recurrent PLID. Proper selection of cases is very important in spinal disorders. In incomplete spinal injuries satisfactory results can be achieved in maximum cases but in complete spinal injuries no neurological development are achieved but for early mobilization surgery is helpful. Maximum spinal disorders can be managed conservatively but surgical intervention should be done in earliest possible time when indicated

Introduction: Spontaneous spinal epidural haematoma is an uncommon clinical problem which may lead to severe and permanent neurological deficit. The treatment options for spinal cord compression by extradural haematoma in the anticoagulated patient are limited. The majority of cases reported have been treated surgically. 1. Operative intervention carries a potential risk of extending the haematoma with further deterioration of the neurological deficit. Methods: A case of paraplegia following spontaneous epidural haemorrhage is reported with a review of the prognostic factors that determine likely improvement in neurological function post-surgery. Case report: A 59-year old man was referred to the regional Spinal Trauma Centre with a 34-hour history of severe lower back pain of sudden onset and 14 hour history of neurological deficit in both legs and urinary overflow incontinence. He had undergone aortic valve replacement two years previously, with subsequent anticoagulation with Warfarin. Examination showed complete paraplegia below L3 with grade 1 power on hip flexion only. On catheterisation, the residual volume of urine was 1200mls. The INR was 3.5. An MRI of the spine showed epidural haematoma that extended from the level of T11 to L5. The patient was treated non-operatively. On discharge at 10 weeks he had normal sensation to L3 and grade 5-power on left knee extension and grade 4-power on the right. There was no motor recovery distal to this. He had a hypotonic neurological bladder with sufficient resting tone in the sphincter to prevent incontinence. Discussion: Although associated with a definite mortality, surgical decompression of the spinal cord and evacuation of the haematoma improves neurological outcome and is the treatment of choice. 1. The decision to treat non-operatively should be based on the duration and severity of the neurological deficit. A literature review identifies neurological deficit greater than 12 hours and severe neurological deficit on presentation are poor prognostic indicators. 2. The prognosis for neurological recovery in this case was poor. In a patient with severe coexisting medical problems these factors can assist when making the decision to operate on an individual patient with spinal epidural haematoma

Aims

Implant-related postoperative spondylodiscitis (IPOS) is a severe complication in spine surgery and is associated with high morbidity and mortality. With growing knowledge in the field of periprosthetic joint infection (PJI), equivalent investigations towards the management of implant-related infections of the spine are indispensable. To our knowledge, this study provides the largest description of cases of IPOS to date.

Objective: To asses the outcome of hermivertebrectomy and fusion for symptomatic thoracic disc herniation. Design: A retrospective case analysis. Subjects: Between 1993 and 1999, ten patients (M5, F5) were treated surgically for thoracic disc herniation by the two senior authors (JKW & SHM). The average age of patients at presentation was 5Oyears (range 32–77years). Two patients had two level disc herniations (total 12 disc herniation). The most common sites of disc herniation were at T10/11(4 patients). Duration of diffuse mid thoracic hock pain in eight patients varied from one week to six months. The initial neurological evaluation demonstrated weakness and spasticity of varying grades in eight patients, of which five had paraplegia and three had monoparesis. Sensory changes below the level of the lesion were found in eight patients. Sphincter dysfunction was noted in seven patients. Hemivertebrectomy followed by discectomy and fusion was carried out in all patients. Instrumentation with cages was performed in eight patients and only bone grafting in two patients. Spinal cord monitoring was used in all cases. Outcome Measures: The average follow up was 24 months (range 13–36 months). Pre-operative and postoperative neurological grading was done using MRC grading for motor and sensory deficit. Asymptomatic patients with full activity were regarded as a successful outcome. Results: Three patients had excellent, three had good, three had fair and one had poor outcome. Seven out of eight patients with cages had radiological fusion. The cage stabilises the segment and maintains the spinal height till bony fusion takes place. One patient with hone graft alone had recurrence of symptoms and had a re-surgery with a poor outcome. Six patients had residual back pain of varying degrees. One patient had atelectasis, which recovered within two days of surgery. One patient had suffered from complete paraplegia immediately after surgery detected by SSEPs. She underwent a MRI scan within the hour and was reoperated. She had complete corpectomy and instrumented fusion. At two years she was walking with a support. Conclusion: Exposure of the norrnal tissue above and below herniated disc by hemivertebrectomy facilitates the safe removal of the disc and reduces the risk of further neurological damage. Cages were found to have advantages over autogenous strut only grafts. However, persistent back pain in some cases remains an unsolved problem

Aims

The aims of this study were to determine the incidence and factors for developing periprosthetic joint infection (PJI) following hemiarthroplasty (HA) for hip fracture, and to evaluate treatment outcome and identify factors associated with treatment outcome.

Initial treatment of traumatic spinal cord injury remains as controversial in 2023 as it was in the early 19th century, when Sir Astley Cooper and Sir Charles Bell debated the merits or otherwise of surgery to relieve cord compression. There has been a lack of high-class evidence for early surgery, despite which expeditious intervention has become the surgical norm. This evidence deficit has been progressively addressed in the last decade and more modern statistical methods have been used to clarify some of the issues, which is demonstrated by the results of the SCI-POEM trial. However, there has never been a properly conducted trial of surgery versus active conservative care. As a result, it is still not known whether early surgery or active physiological management of the unstable injured spinal cord offers the better chance for recovery. Surgeons who care for patients with traumatic spinal cord injuries in the acute setting should be aware of the arguments on all sides of the debate, a summary of which this annotation presents.

Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2023;105-B(4):347–355.

Introduction: The management of patients with thoracolumbar burst fractures has evolved over the last 60 years from the days of conservative management through to the current era of anterior decompression combined with either anterior or posterior stabilisation. There is no doubt that surgical outcomes have improved markedly with the more modern techniques. Nevertheless, there are still technical and other difficulties, which the surgeon may encounter. Based upon his experience with posterior vertebrectomy and reconstruction for thoracolumbar tumours, the author has used this technique for the management of acute burst fractures in this region. This paper presents a review of 10 patients with severe thoracolumbar burst fracture or fracture dislocation managed since 1997, using a single stage posterior decompression, realignment and stabilisation/interbody fusion. Methods: Data were acquired prospectively on consecutive patients between June 1997 and October 2000. All patients underwent single stage posterior decompression via laminectomy and then a subtotal eggshell vertebrectomy with removal of any herniated bone fragment(s) or partial vertebrectomy/ pedicle subtraction osteotomy. Pedicle screw stabilisation was performed to include one or two vertebrae above and below the involved vertebra(e). The intervertebral discs adjacent to the fractured vertebra were removed prior to realigning the vertebral column and performing inter-body fusion using carbon fibre spacers and autograft (4 patients) or vertebral body reconstruction with Titanium mesh cages and autograft (6 patients). Results: The mean age was 37 years (21–52 years). There were six males and four females. Three patients had no neurological deficit. Seven had incomplete paraplegia, three of which were severe with no or only a flicker of leg movement. The principal fracture involved L1 in 6 patients, L2 in 2, L4 in 1 and L5 in 1. Seven had herniated bone fragments occupying 90+% of the spinal canal. Of the seven patients with incomplete paraplegia, all recovered the ability to walk. Two with conus lesions still self catheterize. There were no serious early complications. A serious late complication was the development at three months of a severe deep wound infection, which required debridement and subsequent anterior/ posterior revision surgery. One patient with severe polytrauma and an L4 burst fracture/dislocation has developed a chronic pain syndrome. Discussion: The decompression, realignment, interbody reconstruction and stabilisation of thoracolumbar burst fractures/dislocations using a single stage posterior technique is technically demanding but the neurological outcome and restoration of spinal balance in these 10 patients was gratifying. The procedure appears to have two advantages over an anterior decompression and reconstruction combined with anterior or posterior stabilisation: first, it appears to provide easier access and improved visualisation for lumbar burst fractures where the psoas muscle may be swollen and contused, and second, it allows for easier realignment of any coronal or sagittal deformity

Aims

The aim of this study was to determine whether early surgical treatment results in better neurological recovery 12 months after injury than late surgical treatment in patients with acute traumatic spinal cord injury (tSCI).

Hydatid disease of the bone and soft tissue of the musculoskeletal system is uncommon. The dissemination mode leads to local malignancy with severe prognosis. Tunisia is an endemic area of the disease. Therefore we treated many patients affected the disease. We retrosectivelly reviwed 6 cases of bone hydatid cyst from 1990 to 2010. There were 3 males and 3 females. The mean age was 13 years. The localisation were 03 spinal, 2 in the proximal tibia and & localisation in trochanter. The diagnosis were histoligical in all patient. the mean delay for the diagnosis was 3 years. One patient with spinal localisation had neurological complication paraplegia. All the patient had surgical excision of the hydatid cyst. Ther ewere 3 cases with local recurrence. Because of the poor results with medical treatment, osseous hydatidosis must be treated by a radical operation with wide excision, adapted to each localization. In the main, the prognosis of osseous hydatidosis remains poor, especially with spinal and pelvic localizations, which are the most frequent ones. The prognosis and treatment of osseous hydatidosis belong in the same category as a locally malignant lesion

Aims

To systematically review the efficacy of split tendon transfer surgery on gait-related outcomes for children and adolescents with cerebral palsy (CP) and spastic equinovarus foot deformity.