Background. Disability is an important multifaceted construct. Identifying sources of disability could help optimise patient care. The aim of this study was to test an approach that not only estimates severity of disability, but also identifies the source(s) of this disability. Methods. An online survey was used to collect data from a convenience sample, recruited via email and social media invitations. Two generic measures of disability, the 8-item Universal Disability Index (UDI8) and Groningen Activity Restriction Scale (GARS) were used to estimate the prevalence and severity of disability in this sample. Non-zero UDI8 item responses generated conditional sub-questions, in which participants could attribute their activity limitations to one or more sources (pain, fatigue, worry, mood, and other). This allowed for a decomposition of UDI8 scores into source components. Results. 403 participants enrolled; 334 completed all UDI8 and GARS items. Of these, 85.3% (285/334) reported at least one restricted activity via the UDI8, while 43.4% (145/334) reported some reduced independence via the GARS. Disability severity increased with age until approximately 40 years, after which it decreased gradually. Pain component scores were high in all individuals with higher and lower disability severity, whereas fatigue component scores were highest in individuals reporting higher disability severity. Worry, mood, and other component scores were not high at any level of disability severity. Conclusions. This approach should be used to identify the prevalence, severity and sources of disability in the general population and in specific patient groups. Conflicts of interest. No conflicts of interest. Sources of funding. No funding obtained

Aims. Clinical decision support systems (CDSS) can support clinicians in selecting appropriate treatments for patients. The objective of this study was to examine if triaging patients with LBP to the most optimal treatment can be improved by using a data-driven approach with the help of machine learning as base of such a CDSS. Methods. A clinical database of the Groningen Spine Center containing patient-reported data from 1546 patients with LBP was used. From this dataset, a training dataset with 354 features was labeled on eight different treatments actually received by these patients. With this dataset, models were trained. A test dataset with 50 cases judged on treatments by 4 experts in LBP triage was used to test these models with data not used to train the models. Prediction accuracy and average area under curve (AUC) were used as performance measures for the models. Results. The AUC values indicated small to medium learning effects showing that machine learning on patient-reported data, to model decision-making processes on treatments for LBP, may be possible. One of the best performing models was the Bayesian Network (BN) model; e.g. predicted surgery with accuracy 0.78 (95% C.I. 0.68– 0.87) and AUC 0.70. Conclusion. Benefits to using BNs compared to other supervised machine learning techniques are that it is easy to exploit expert knowledge in BN models, meaning that advices generated by the model can be explained. The next step is to improve the BN accuracy so that it can actually be used in a CDSS. No conflicts of interest. Sources of funding: This work is partly funded by a grant from the Netherlands Organization for Health Research and Development (ZonMw), grant 10-10400-98-009

Object. Giant thoracic discs (occupying more than 40% of the spinal canal) are a difficult surgical pathology. They are increasingly being recognized as or particular subset of thoracic disc pathology. It has been recommended that an aggressive surgical approach of open 2 level verteberectomy and instruments should be utilized.21 However Retropleural thoracotomy provides the shortest direct route to the anterior thoracic spine and avoids pleural cavity entry making it an ideal if infrequently used approach to access ventral thoracic and thoracolumbar spine abnormalities. We present a detailed description of our experience utilising this approach, for the treatment of Giant Thoracic discs without the need for vertebrectomy or instrumentation. Methods. A prospective cohort of patients with Giant thoracic discs operated on utilizing the mini open retropleural thoracotomy technique was used, intra-operative and post-operative complications and length of post-op stay. Functional outcome and pain scores, were also prospectively recorded using SF-36, Oswestry Disability Index (ODI), and visual analogue pain scores (VAS). Results. 17 patients underwent a retropleural thoracotomy for Giant thoracic disc between 2001 and 2010. There were 8 male and 9 female patients with a median age of 50 years (range 35 – 70). The surgical level was T8/9 (58%) followed by T10/11 (33%) and finally T11/12 (8%). 1 patient had redo surgery following a failed primary discectomy at another institution. The mean post-operative length of stay was 12.8 days Intra-operative complications included 5 pleural tears during the approach. Chest drain was placed post-op in one patient. The tears were primarily repaired and the approach did not have to be abandoned. 2 patients had an intra-operative CSF leak (1 had intradural disc erosion). Post-operative complications included 1 pleural effusion, 1 patient had pneumonia and a PE, 1 patient died from an unrelated respiratory tract infection of the lung (opposite to the side of the approach) 40 days after surgery. Conclusion. Large calcified thoracic disc herniations can be a very challenging pathology. The retropleural transthoracic approach can be employed safely in this setting with acceptable morbidity for the patient

A combined anterior and posterior surgical approach is generally recommended in the treatment of severe congenital kyphosis, despite the fact that the anterior vascular supply of the spine and viscera are at risk during exposure. The aim of this study was to determine whether the surgical treatment of severe congenital thoracolumbar kyphosis through a single posterior approach is feasible, safe and effective. We reviewed the records of ten patients with a mean age of 11.1 years (5.4 to 14.1) who underwent surgery either by pedicle subtraction osteotomy or by vertebral column resection with instrumented fusion through a single posterior approach. The mean kyphotic deformity improved from 59.9° (45° to 110°) pre-operatively to 17.5° (3° to 40°) at a mean follow-up of 47.0 months (29 to 85). Spinal cord monitoring was used in all patients and there were no complications during surgery. These promising results indicate the possible advantages of the described technique over the established procedures. We believe that surgery should be performed in case of documented progression and before structural secondary curves develop. Our current strategy after documented progression is to recommend surgery at the age of five years and when 90% of the diameter of the spinal canal has already developed. Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2013;95-B:1527–32

Study Purpose. A systematic review of the current literature to address the debate of the optimal surgical approach for the treatment of adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS). Method. All studies comparing anterior open instrumented surgery with posterior instrumented surgery in patients with AIS, written in English and published up until February 2010 were included. Electronic databases searched included Medline, PubMed and the Cochrane database using “AIS” and “surgery” as key words. Outcome measures considered to be important were specifically identified in each paper included: Blood loss (ml); operation time (mins); hospital stay (days); curve correction (sagittal and coronal); number of fused levels; pulmonary function, and complications. Results. Twenty one relevant papers were identified from a possible 399. Nine of these studies were performed prospectively with four involving more than one centre. The average total number of patients in each study was 246 with a mean pre-operative curve Cobb angle of 47 degrees in those patients treated via anterior surgical instrumentation and 52 degrees with posterior surgery. Three papers showed significant reduction in blood loss with anterior surgery while four studies observed a reduction in operative time and length of hospital stay with posterior surgery. Eleven papers analysed curve correction specifically and while comparable correction was achievable with both approaches the number of fusion levels was significantly fewer with anterior fixation in all. Three of the four studies evaluating lung function demonstrated that patients undergoing posterior fusion had better measures of pulmonary function than the anterior group. No significant difference was observed between the two approaches with regards to complications. Conclusion. Both surgical approaches have their merits and disadvantages. Our study has not demonstrated one approach to be overall superior. Approach selection should be based on the advantages offered by each approach to the individual patient and the surgeon's own experience in spinal deformity correction

The presacral retroperitoneal approach for axial lumbar interbody fusion (presacral ALIF) is not widely reported, particularly with regard to the mid-term outcome. This prospective study describes the clinical outcomes, complications and rates of fusion at a follow-up of two years for 26 patients who underwent this minimally invasive technique along with further stabilisation using pedicle screws. The fusion was single-level at the L5-S1 spinal segment in 17 patients and two-level at L4–5 and L5-S1 in the other nine. The visual analogue scale for pain and Oswestry Disability Index scores were recorded pre-operatively and during the 24-month study period. The evaluation of fusion was by thin-cut CT scans at six and 12 months, and flexion-extension plain radiographs at six, 12 and 24 months. Significant reductions in pain and disability occurred as early as three weeks postoperatively and were maintained. Fusion was achieved in 22 of 24 patients (92%) at 12 months and in 23 patients (96%) at 24 months. One patient (4%) with a pseudarthrosis underwent successful revision by augmentation of the posterolateral fusion mass through a standard open midline approach. There were no severe adverse events associated with presacral ALIF, which in this series demonstrated clinical outcomes and fusion rates comparable with those of reports of other methods of interbody fusion

Injury to the spinal cord and kyphosis are the two most feared complications of tuberculosis of the spine. Since tuberculosis affects principally the vertebral bodies, anterior decompression is usually recommended. Concomitant posterior instrumentation is indicated to neutralise gross instability from panvertebral disease, to protect the anterior bone graft, to prevent graft-related complications after anterior decompression in long-segment disease and to correct a kyphosis. Two-stage surgery is usually performed in these cases. We present 38 consecutive patients with tuberculosis of the spine for whom anterior decompression, posterior instrumentation, with or without correction of the kyphus, and anterior and posterior fusion was performed in a single stage through an anterolateral extrapleural approach. Their mean age was 20.4 years (2.0 to 57.0). The indications for surgery were panvertebral disease, neurological deficit and severe kyphosis. The patients were operated on in the left lateral position using a ‘T’-shaped incision sited at the apex of kyphosis or lesion. Three ribs were removed in 34 patients and two in four and anterior decompression of the spinal cord was carried out. The posterior vertebral column was shortened to correct the kyphus, if necessary, and was stabilised by a Hartshill rectangle and sublaminar wires. Anterior and posterior bone grafting was performed. The mean number of vertebral bodies affected was 3.24 (2.0 to 9.0). The mean pre-operative kyphosis in patients operated on for correction of the kyphus was 49.08° (30° to 72°) and there was a mean correction of 25° (6° to 42°). All except one patient with a neural deficit recovered complete motor and sensory function. The mean intra-operative blood loss was 1175 ml (800 to 2600), and the mean duration of surgery 3.5 hours (2.7 to 5.0). Wound healing was uneventful in 33 of 38 patients. The mean follow-up was 33 months (11 to 74). None of the patients required intensive care. The extrapleural anterolateral approach provides simultaneous exposure of the anterior and posterior aspects of the spine, thereby allowing decompression of the spinal cord, posterior stabilisation and anterior and posterior bone grafting. This approach has much less morbidity than the two-stage approaches which have been previously described

Purpose & Background. The STarT Back risk-stratification approach uses the STarT Back Tool to categorise patients with low back pain (LBP) at low, medium or high-risk of persistent disabling pain, in order to match treatments. The MATCH trial (NCT02286141) evaluated the effect of implementing an adaptation of this approach in a United States healthcare setting. Methods. This was a pragmatic cluster randomised trial with a pre-intervention baseline period. Six primary care clinics were pair-randomised, three to an intensive stratified care quality improvement intervention and three as controls. LBP patients were invited to provide outcomes two weeks after their primary care visit, and two and six months later. Primary outcomes were physical function (RMDQ) and pain (0–10 NRS), and secondary outcomes including healthcare use and treatments provided received. Analysis was intention-to-treat. Results. Patient outcomes were obtained from intervention (n=690) and control (n=864) clinics. At six months between-group differences in adjusted mean change scores did not significantly favour stratified care for RMDQ; 0.50 (95%CI −0.55, 1.55) or pain NRS 0.13 (95%CI −0.37, 0.63). There were no significant between group differences in any secondary patient outcome. Process data showed that the STarT Back tool was used with 47% of LBP patients in the intervention clinics but there was no differences in the treatments provided. Conclusions. Implementation of a LBP stratified care approach in this United States healthcare setting showed moderate use of the STarT Back tool, but no change in treatments received by patients, and no benefits on patient outcomes. Conflicts of interest: None. Sources of funding: Funding for this trial was provided by the Patient Centered Care Research Institute (“Evaluation of a Patient-Centered Risk Stratification Method for Improving Primary Care for Back Pain”: Contract #398) and by the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health/NIH (“Implementing Evidence-Based Treatments for Persistent Back Pain into Primary Care”: Grant #R21AT0007326). Martin Levine, Diane Piekara, and Pam Rock received support to participate in the quality improvement activities from Group Health. Nadine Foster and Jonathan Hill were supported through an NIHR Research Professorship (NIHR-RP-011-015) to Nadine Foster. Nadine Foster is an NIHR Senior Investigator. The views expressed are those of the authors and not necessarily those of the Patient Centered Care Research Institute, NIH, NHS, the NIHR or the Department of Health

The study was conducted to review the outcome in cases of anterior expandable interbody cages inserted through a posterior only approach. Cases selected were the anterior cage insertion and posterior stabilization patients managed by posterior only approach. Study includes the patients of various pathologies requiring 3 column support. Twenty patients were included in study. Pathology in 9 patients was tuberculosis, trauma in 3, tumours in 3, metastasis in 3 and deformities in 2patients. Patients with or without neurological deficit were included. Cases were carefully assessed and patients with single level involvement were included as more then single level involvement required more extensive exposure and possible nerve root sacrifice. Detailed neurological status was recorded. The surgery was performed in prone position and after posterior stabilization by pedicle screws the extracavitatory approach was used to insert the expandable cage. In cases of suspicious pathologies the samples for histopathology and staining were collected. Morbidity, mortality blood loss, surgical time, complications, outcome of surgery were compared with historical controls of front and back surgery. The insertion of cages from posterior approach was feasible in all carefully planned cases. None of the patients had problem related to implant in form of cage displacement. All the patients had satisfactory outcome. Posterior stabilization of spine with expandable cage insertion from posterior approach saves the operating time, spares the additional surgical incision and blood loss without compromising the outcome. In carefully planned surgeries it gives excellent results irrespective of etiology

We made a prospective study of 43 consecutive patients treated for intraforaminal (34) or extraforaminal (9) herniations of a lumbar disc by excision through an interlaminar approach, using an operating microscope. The intraforaminal herniations were contained or extruded in 52% and sequestrated in 47%; for extraforaminal herniation the proportions were 66% and 33%, respectively. There was additional posterolateral protrusion or spinal stenosis at the level of the lateral herniation in seven and four cases, respectively. The patients were reviewed at three months and two years after surgery. Radiographs showed three grades of facetectomy: grade I, removal of 50% or less, grade II, excision of 51% to 75%, and grade III, subtotal or total facetectomy. For intraforaminal herniations the results were excellent or good in 88% of patients when reviewed at three months and in 91% at two years. For extraforaminal herniations, there was an excellent or good outcome in 89% of patients in the short term and in all in the long term. The facetectomy had been grade I in 14 and grade II in 25; it had been grade III in four, but only one had had total facetectomy. No patient had developed vertebral hypermobility as a result of the operation. An intralaminar approach using an operating microscope can provide adequate access to a lateral protrusion. It has the advantage of allowing the treatment of posterolateral protrusion or posterior annular bulge and of spinal stenosis at the same level

Purpose of the study and background. Healthcare practitioners' (HCPs) attitudes and beliefs about MSK pain influence their practice behaviour. The Pain Attitudes and Beliefs Scale (PABS), developed for use in the context of LBP, consists of two subscales (biomedical and biopsychosocial) is the most widely used measure. However, poor performance of the biopsychosocial orientation scale is attributed, in part, to inadequate conceptualisation of the orientation. Purpose. To develop a new biopsychosocial scale and adapt the PABS to assess HCPs' attitudes and beliefs about common MSK pain. Methods and results. A grounded conceptualisation process was conducted with 40 MSK HCPs and/or researchers using concept mapping methodology. The resultant conceptual framework consisted of six primary domains of biopsychosocial clinical orientation (bio-clinical, therapeutic relationship, individual patient aspects, emotions, social and work) and informed development of new scale items. These items were included with existing PABS items in a national survey of UK-based HCPs, and analysis was conducted on 587 responses. Exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses identified and confirmed a new 10-item biopsychosocial scale (Cronbach's alpha of 0.83). The new biopsychosocial and existing biomedical scales demonstrated good test-retest reliability (ICC(2,1) 0.77 and 0.74 respectively). Standard error of measurement and smallest detectable change were also established. Conclusion. The new generic MSK version of the PABS biopsychosocial scale shows promising structural validity and test-retest reliability. The existing PABS biomedical scale's structure and performance was upheld. The new conceptual framework provides a contemporary, comprehensive understanding of the biopsychosocial clinical approach to common MSK pain, with potential value for the development, delivery and evaluation of biopsychosocial clinical practice. No conflicts of interest. Sources of funding:. Kirsty Duncan was the holder of an ACORN PhD studentship from Keele University. Part of the conceptualisation component of this work was also supported by a Chartered Society of Physiotherapy Charitable Trust International Lecture Fund Award. Annette Bishop and Nadine Foster were supported through an NIHR Research Professorship for Nadine Foster (NIHR-RP-011-015). NEF is an NIHR Senior Investigator. The views and opinions expressed therein are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect those of the NIHR, NHS or the Department of Health

Introduction

Low back pain (LBP) is the top leading global cause of years lived with disability. In order to examine LBP, researchers have typically viewed the spine in isolation. Clinically, it is imperative that the lower limbs are also considered. The aim of this study was to design a holistic and reliable multi-segmental kinematic model of the spine and lower limbs.

Consecutive case series

To evaluate the efficacy of a strict stepwise radioanatomical procedure protocol in avoiding neurological complications through tool malplacement in fluoroscopy guided percutaneous procedures of the thoracic spine.

Fluoroscopy guided percutaneous access to thoracic vertebral bodies is technically demanding. There is a trend towards computed tomography (CT) guidance on grounds of perceived lesser risk of spinal canal instrument malplacement. CT is however not always readily accessible and a safe technique for fluoroscopy guided procedures therefore desirable.

350 consecutive fluoroscopy guided percutaneous procedures (biopsy, vertebroplasty or kyphoplasty) covering all thoracic vertebral levels T1-T12 were performed according to a strict stepwise radioanatomical protocol. The crucial step of the protocol was not to advance the tool beyond the anterior-posterior (ap) projection of the medial pedicle wall until the tip of the instrument had been verified to have reached the posterior vertebral cortex in the lateral projection. The neurological status of patients was assessed through clinical examination prior to, immediately after the procedure and before discharge.

Percutaneous instrument placement in the targeted thoracic vertebral body was achieved in all cases and the stepwise radioanatomical protocol was followed in all cases. There was no case of neurological deterioration in the case series.

Conclusion: Attention to radiographic landmarks, specifically not crossing the ap projection of the medial pedicle cortex prior to reaching the posterior vertebral wall in the lateral projection, allows neurologically safe performance of fluoroscopy guided percutaneous procedures of the thoracic spine. This simple protocol is particularly useful when access to CT is limited.

Purpose and Background. Clinical practice guidelines (CPGs) recommend self-management for low back pain (LBP). Our recent narrative review on self-management needs revealed a consensus with respect to the critical components of self-management interventions. With mobile health advancements, apps offer innovative support for LBP management. This study aims to identify current apps for the self-management of LBP, assessing them for their quality, intervention content, theoretical approaches, and risk management approaches. Methods and Results. We identified 69 apps for LBP self-management from a systematic search in the UK iTunes and Google Play stores. The most recommended interventions are muscle stretching (n=51, 73.9%), muscle strengthening (n=42, 60.9%), and core stability exercises (n=32, 46.4%). The average MARS (SD) overall score for the included apps was 2.4 (0.44) out of a possible 5 points, with the engagement and information dimension scoring the lowest at 2.1. In terms of theoretical and risk management approaches, no apps offered a theoretical care model and all failed to specify the age group targeted; only one (1.4%) provided a tailored care approach; 18 (26.1%) included intervention progression; and 11 (15.9%) reported management safety checks. Conclusion. This study shows that app developers generally select interventions endorsed by CPGs. However, the application of a biopsychosocial care model is not being considered. Most of them are of low quality, lacking theoretical approaches to care and consideration of associated risks. It is essential to involve clinicians and patients in developing LBP self-management apps to improve the quality and related approach. Conflicts of interest. None. Sources of funding. No funding obtained. This study has been published in JMIR mHealth and uHealth

Background. Embodiment- and distraction-based approaches to immersive virtual reality (IVR) show promise in treating persistent low back pain (PLBP). However, which approach is more effective is unclear. This study aims to evaluate the impact of distraction- and embodiment-based IVR on pain processing and patient-reported outcome measures in PLBP. Method. Individuals with PLBP were randomised to receive eight sessions of either distraction- or embodiment-based IVR over two weeks. Outcome measures were evaluated at baseline and after the eighth session. Pain processing was evaluated using conditioned pain modulation (CPM) and temporal summation (TS). Results. Three participants (n=2 embodiment, n=1 distraction) have completed all eight IVR sessions. Preliminary results indicate a decrease from pre to post-intervention in Numerical Pain Rating Scale score (pre: 5/10, 6/10, 5/10; post: 2/10, 5/10, 2/10) and Pain Catastrophising Scale score (pre: 34/52, 11/52, 38/52; post: 11/52, 8/52, 12/52), with no clear trend in other self-reported measures (Hospital Anxiety and Depression scale, Oswestry low back disability questionnaire, fear-avoidance beliefs questionnaire, Tampa scale of kinesiophobia). Preliminary results suggest a potential increase in NPRS absolute values from pre- to post-intervention in CPM (pre: -2.7, -2.3, -2.0; post: -3.3, -2.0, -4.3) and TS (pre-1.2, 2.5, 2.4; post: 1.4, 2.5, 3.1). Conclusion. Eight sessions of IVR may reduce pain severity and pain catastrophising in people with PLBP and may increase the efficacy of endogenous pain modulatory systems. Data collection is ongoing to compare the effect of distraction- and embodiment-based IVR. Conflicts of Interest. There are no conflicts of interest. Sources of Funding. This project is funded by the Saudi Arabia Cultural Bureau

Aims. People with severe, persistent low back pain (LBP) may be offered lumbar spine fusion surgery if they have had insufficient benefit from recommended non-surgical treatments. However, National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) 2016 guidelines recommended not offering spinal fusion surgery for adults with LBP, except as part of a randomized clinical trial. This survey aims to describe UK clinicians’ views about the suitability of patients for such a future trial, along with their views regarding equipoise for randomizing patients in a future clinical trial comparing lumbar spine fusion surgery to best conservative care (BCC; the FORENSIC-UK trial). Methods. An online cross-sectional survey was piloted by the multidisciplinary research team, then shared with clinical professional groups in the UK who are involved in the management of adults with severe, persistent LBP. The survey had seven sections that covered the demographic details of the clinician, five hypothetical case vignettes of patients with varying presentations, a series of questions regarding the preferred management, and whether or not each clinician would be willing to recruit the example patients into future clinical trials. Results. There were 72 respondents, with a response rate of 9.0%. They comprised 39 orthopaedic spine surgeons, 17 neurosurgeons, one pain specialist, and 15 allied health professionals. Most respondents (n = 61,84.7%) chose conservative care as their first-choice management option for all five case vignettes. Over 50% of respondents reported willingness to randomize three of the five cases to either surgery or BCC, indicating a willingness to participate in the future randomized trial. From the respondents, transforaminal interbody fusion was the preferred approach for spinal fusion (n = 19, 36.4%), and the preferred method of BCC was a combined programme of physical and psychological therapy (n = 35, 48.5%). Conclusion. This survey demonstrates that there is uncertainty about the role of lumbar spine fusion surgery and BCC for a range of example patients with severe, persistent LBP in the UK. Cite this article: Bone Jt Open 2024;5(7):612–620

Aims. To systematically evaluate whether bracing can effectively achieve curve regression in patients with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS), and to identify any predictors of curve regression after bracing. Methods. Two independent reviewers performed a comprehensive literature search in PubMed, Ovid, Web of Science, Scopus, and Cochrane Library to obtain all published information about the effectiveness of bracing in achieving curve regression in AIS patients. Search terms included “brace treatment” or “bracing,” “idiopathic scoliosis,” and “curve regression” or “curve reduction.” Inclusion criteria were studies recruiting patients with AIS undergoing brace treatment and one of the study outcomes must be curve regression or reduction, defined as > 5° reduction in coronal Cobb angle of a major curve upon bracing completion. Exclusion criteria were studies including non-AIS patients, studies not reporting p-value or confidence interval, animal studies, case reports, case series, and systematic reviews. The GRADE approach to assessing quality of evidence was used to evaluate each publication. Results. After abstract and full-text screening, 205 out of 216 articles were excluded. The 11 included studies all reported occurrence of curve regression among AIS patients who were braced. Regression rate ranged from 16.7% to 100%. We found evidence that bracing is effective in achieving curve regression among compliant AIS patients eligible for bracing, i.e. curves of 25° to 40°. A similar effect was also found in patients with major curve sizes ranging from 40° to 60° when combined with scoliosis-specific exercises. There was also evidence showing that a low apical vertebral body height ratio, in-brace correction, smaller pre-brace Cobb angle, and daily pattern of brace-wear compliance predict curve regression after bracing. Conclusion. Bracing provides a corrective effect on scoliotic curves of AIS patients to achieve curve regression, given there is high compliance rate and the incorporation of exercises. Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2024;106-B(3):286–292

Aims. A variety of surgical methods and strategies have been demonstrated for Andersson lesion (AL) therapy. In 2011, we proposed and identified the feasibility of stabilizing the spine without curettaging the vertebral or discovertebral lesion to cure non-kyphotic AL. Additionally, due to the excellent reunion ability of ankylosing spondylitis, we further came up with minimally invasive spinal surgery (MIS) to avoid the need for both bone graft and lesion curettage in AL surgery. However, there is a paucity of research into the comparison between open spinal fusion (OSF) and early MIS in the treatment of AL. The purpose of this study was to investigate and compare the clinical outcomes and radiological evaluation of our early MIS approach and OSF for AL. Methods. A total of 39 patients diagnosed with AL who underwent surgery from January 2004 to December 2022 were retrospectively screened for eligibility. Patients with AL were divided into an MIS group and an OSF group. The primary outcomes were union of the lesion on radiograph and CT, as well as the visual analogue scale (VAS) and Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) scores immediately after surgery, and at the follow-up (mean 29 months (standard error (SE) 9)). The secondary outcomes were total blood loss during surgery, operating time, and improvement in the radiological parameters: global and local kyphosis, sagittal vertical axis, sagittal alignment, and chin-brow vertical angle immediately after surgery and at the follow-up. Results. Data for 30 patients with AL were evaluated: 14 in the MIS group and 16 in the OSF group. All patients were followed up after surgery; no nonunion complications or instrumentation failures were observed in either group. No significant differences in the VAS and ODI scores were identified between the two groups. Mean ODI improved from 51 (SE 5) to 17 (SE 5) in the MIS group and from 52 (SE 6) to 19 (SE 5) in the OSF group at the follow-up. There were significant improvements in total blood loss (p = 0.025) and operating time (p < 0.001) between the groups. There was also no significant difference in local kyphosis six months postoperatively (p = 0.119). Conclusion. Early MIS is an effective treatment for AL. MIS provides comparable clinical outcomes to those treated with OSF, with less total blood loss and shorter operating time. Our results support and identify the feasibility of solid immobilization achieved by posterior instrumentation without bone graft via MIS for the treatment of AL. Cite this article: Bone Jt Open 2024;5(10):886–893

Aims. This systematic review aims to identify 3D predictors derived from biplanar reconstruction, and to describe current methods for improving curve prediction in patients with mild adolescent idiopathic scoliosis. Methods. A comprehensive search was conducted by three independent investigators on MEDLINE, PubMed, Web of Science, and Cochrane Library. Search terms included “adolescent idiopathic scoliosis”,“3D”, and “progression”. The inclusion and exclusion criteria were carefully defined to include clinical studies. Risk of bias was assessed with the Quality in Prognostic Studies tool (QUIPS) and Appraisal tool for Cross-Sectional Studies (AXIS), and level of evidence for each predictor was rated with the Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development, and Evaluations (GRADE) approach. In all, 915 publications were identified, with 377 articles subjected to full-text screening; overall, 31 articles were included. Results. Torsion index (TI) and apical vertebral rotation (AVR) were identified as accurate predictors of curve progression in early visits. Initial TI > 3.7° and AVR > 5.8° were predictive of curve progression. Thoracic hypokyphosis was inconsistently observed in progressive curves with weak evidence. While sagittal wedging was observed in mild curves, there is insufficient evidence for its correlation with curve progression. In curves with initial Cobb angle < 25°, Cobb angle was a poor predictor for future curve progression. Prediction accuracy was improved by incorporating serial reconstructions in stepwise layers. However, a lack of post-hoc analysis was identified in studies involving geometrical models. Conclusion. For patients with mild curves, TI and AVR were identified as predictors of curve progression, with TI > 3.7° and AVR > 5.8° found to be important thresholds. Cobb angle acts as a poor predictor in mild curves, and more investigations are required to assess thoracic kyphosis and wedging as predictors. Cumulative reconstruction of radiographs improves prediction accuracy. Comprehensive analysis between progressive and non-progressive curves is recommended to extract meaningful thresholds for clinical prognostication. Cite this article: Bone Jt Open 2024;5(3):243–251

Background. A local authority approached us, for a cost-beneficial solution to their increasing low back pain referrals. We proposed developing a student-led clinic – an intervention delivered by students but supervised by clinicians. We then conducted scoping reviews on student-led clinics in the management of health conditions and on the self-management of back pain. The findings suggested that student-led self-management interventions for low back health should be feasible. The next step was to co-construct the intervention with key stakeholders. Co-Construction. A hybrid of Action Research and Design Science methodology was used to co-construct the intervention with five key stakeholder groups (council staff, managers and human resources, employee healthcare, students, and lecturers). Three rounds of focus groups explored the ‘problem’, the possible solutions, the process, and the content. Themes were taken from each of these focus groups and the similarities and differences were analysed. This analysis and subsequent synthesis with the evidence base created potential intervention models, which were discussed and refined with the stakeholder groups. Intervention. The proposed intervention is focused on providing evidence informed biopsychosocial support for work-relevant back pain, based on identifying obstacles and solutions to improve coping with back health at work. An onboarding workshop challenges positively their thinking around back pain and work. This is followed by up to three 1:1 sessions that support the individual to identify work-relevant back health goals and agree a plan to achieve them using techniques to facilitate behaviour change. Conclusion. The intervention is evidence informed and aims to address the prioritised needs of the stakeholders. Conflicts of interest. No conflicts of interest. Sources of funding. National Health Service Education