Background

In vivo evaluation of IVD strains is crucial to better understand normal and pathological IVD mechanics, and to evaluate the effectiveness of treatments. This study aimed to 1) develop a novel in vivo technique based on 3T MRI and digital volume correlation (DVC) to measure strains within IVDs and 2) to use this technique to resolve 3D strains within IVDs of healthy volunteers during extension.

Centre Hospitalo-Universitaire de Bordeaux, Service de Pathologie du la Colonne Vertébrale, Bordeaux, France. Assessment of cervical lordosis using a standardised digital acquisition procedure in the normal population. Three independent reviewers measured static lordosis. The EOS¯ system, which utilises low dose radiation and provides reliable standardized digital 2D acquisition with 3D reconstruction was employed. Measurements were carried out twice by every examiner on two different occasions. Cohort of the general public of 180 subjects divided into 4 groups (both sexes individually, age less than 40 and greater than 50 individually). None had any previous history of spinal disorders or sagittal imbalance. General cervical lordosis (C2 to C7) as well as upper and lower cervical lordosis were assessed. Cervical lordosis in the general population has a very wide range in both sexes. Overall cervical lordosis was 37 degrees. Lower cervical lordosis (superior endplate of C4 to inferior endplate of C7) demonstrated an average of 16 degrees, and upper cervical lordosis was found to be 21 degrees. No particular age group or sex was more prone to having lesser/greater lordosis. Current literature is sparse and provides large ranges, different standards and variable methods for assessing standard cervical lordosis. Overall cervical lordosis is very variable amongst the sexes and age groups. We provide a standard set of values which help to provide the spinal surgeon with values to aim for when seeking to restore cervical lordosis

Introduction. The Hamann-Todd collection at the Cleveland Museum of Natural History (Cleveland, OH, USA) includes 63 paediatric skeletal specimens in varying condition and completeness. The initial data collection included representative skeletons of children aged 1–18 years. The aim of this study was to better understand the growth patterns of the paediatricspine and ribs. Methods. Data from vertebrae and corresponding ribs were collected. Data included 46 measurements from the vertebral body and ribs at T1, T4, T7, T10, and L3. Measurements were obtained with Vernier calipers, tape measures, and photographs of each bone. Several specimens were digitised with a Next Engine 3D laser scanner. The initial analysis used caliper-derived data, with some measurements obtained from photographs. The data were analysed by age, specific bone, and morphological features. More than 2000 cross correlations were studied. Linear regressions were done on scalar measurements with SAS (version 9.1.3) and JMP (version 8.0). Although the general demographics for each child were known, specifics such as height and weight or previous trauma were not. Results. Data analysis showed linear relationships in the ribs and growing spine. For example, the figure shows the data and linear regression for the right rib at T7 for each age. Rib width showed no significant increase with age (r2=0·001), whereas rib height had a linear increase (r2=0·754). Other measurements, such as costal length, were highly correlated with age. Conclusions. Direct measurements of paediatric cadaveric bones can be statistically analysed to provide insight into normal human growth. The data show a linear growth of the spine and rib cage from ages 1–18 years. Relatively little is known about the normal growth of human ribs and spine. This is the first known osteological data collection of the growing ribs and spine in non-scoliotic children. Understanding of chest growth will help to improve treatment of spine and chest-wall deformity in growing children

Introduction

Growing rods are used in the treatment of early-onset scoliosis. The aim of this technique is to achieve deformity correction while maintaining spinal growth. Gradual stiffening or spontaneous fusion of the spine can interfere with the ability to lengthen. Furthermore, diminished acquired length with serial distraction is common and needs to be evaluated and quantified. The purpose of this prospective study was to measure the forces and amount of distraction over time in patients with early-onset scoliosis treated with growing rods.

Introduction

There is no consensus among scoliosis surgeons on which surface topography method and parameters may be used as an alternative to serial radiography to monitor scoliosis progression. The aim of this study was to evaluate the inter-correlation among surface rotation (4-D formetric II) with 3-D Quantec scan and 2-D cobb's angle measurements for assessing torso asymmetry in adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS).

Aims. The aim of this study was to determine the influence of pelvic parameters on the tendency of patients with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) to develop flatback deformity (thoracic hypokyphosis and lumbar hypolordosis) and its effect on quality-of-life outcomes. Patients and Methods. This was a radiological study of 265 patients recruited for Boston bracing between December 2008 and December 2013. Posteroanterior and lateral radiographs were obtained before, immediately after, and two-years after completion of bracing. Measurements of coronal and sagittal Cobb angles, coronal balance, sagittal vertical axis, and pelvic parameters were made. The refined 22-item Scoliosis Research Society (SRS-22r) questionnaire was recorded. Association between independent factors and outcomes of postbracing ≥ 6° kyphotic changes in the thoracic spine and ≥ 6° lordotic changes in the lumbar spine were tested using likelihood ratio chi-squared test and univariable logistic regression. Multivariable logistic regression models were then generated for both outcomes with odds ratios (ORs), and with SRS-22r scores. Results. Reduced T5-12 kyphosis (mean -4.3° (. sd. 8.2); p < 0.001), maximum thoracic kyphosis (mean -4.3° (. sd. 9.3); p < 0.001), and lumbar lordosis (mean -5.6° (. sd. 12.0); p < 0.001) were observed after bracing treatment. Increasing prebrace maximum kyphosis (OR 1.133) and lumbar lordosis (OR 0.92) was associated with postbracing hypokyphotic change. Prebrace sagittal vertical axis (OR 0.975), prebrace sacral slope (OR 1.127), prebrace pelvic tilt (OR 0.940), and change in maximum thoracic kyphosis (OR 0.878) were predictors for lumbar hypolordotic changes. There were no relationships between coronal deformity, thoracic kyphosis, or lumbar lordosis with SRS-22r scores. Conclusion. Brace treatment leads to flatback deformity with thoracic hypokyphosis and lumbar hypolordosis. Changes in the thoracic spine are associated with similar changes in the lumbar spine. Increased sacral slope, reduced pelvic tilt, and pelvic incidence are associated with reduced lordosis in the lumbar spine after bracing. Nevertheless, these sagittal parameter changes do not appear to be associated with worse quality of life. Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2019;101-B:1370–1378

Purpose and Background:. To compare static and dynamic lumbar intervertebral ranges of motion (IV-RoM) in patients with chronic, nonspecific low back pain with upper and lower cut off values derived from healthy controls when variability and measurement errors were reduced. Measurements from functional radiographs suffer from high variability and measurement errors, making cut off values for excessive or insufficient motion problematical. This study compared maximum lumbar IV-RoM and maximum IV-RoM at any point in continuous motion sequences in patients with chronic, non-specific back pain with upper and lower cut off values for L2 to L5 from matched controls using quantitative fluoroscopy, where variation and measurement errors were reduced. Methods and Results:. Participants underwent passive recumbent examinations in the sagittal and coronal planes. Values based on were developed for both maximum and continuous motion in controls (n=40). Fishers exact test was used to analyse proportions of patients whose IV-RoMs exceeded reference values. For maximum IV-RoM in patients, there were no statistically significant differences between groups for the lower value. Only flexion at L4/5 significantly exceeded the upper value (p=0.03). For continuous IV-RoM, left L3/4 (p=0.01) and right L4/5 (p=0.01) were significantly below the lower cut off values. Both flexion L4/5 (p=0.05) and left L3/4 (p=0.01) were significantly above the upper cut off values. Conclusions:. Controlling variability and reducing errors allowed meaningful upper and lower cut off values to be produced for both static and dynamic IV-RoM and may lead to better treatment decisions for those with suspected inter-vertebral stiffness or hypermobility

Aims

The aim of this study was to determine the differences in spinal imaging characteristics between subjects with or without lumbar developmental spinal stenosis (DSS) in a population-based cohort.

Aim:. To determine if patients with coronal plane deformity in the lumbar spine have a higher grade of lumbar spine subtype compared to controls. Method:. This was a retrospective case/control study based on a review of radiological investigations in 250 patients aged over 40 years who had standing plain film lumbar radiographs with hips present. Measurements of lumbar coronal plane angle, lumbar lordosis, sacral slope, pelvic tilt and pelvic incidence were obtained. “Cases” with degenerative scoliosis (n=125) were defined as patients with a lumbar coronal plane angle of >10°. Lumbar spine subtype was categorised (1–4) using the Roussouly classification. Lumbar spine subtype was dichotomised into low (type 1,2) or high (type 3,4). Prevalence of lumbar spine subtype in cases versus controls was compared using the Chi squared test. Pelvic incidence was compared using an unpaired T-test. Predictors of lumbar coronal plane angle were identified using stepwise multiple regression. Significance was accepted at P<0.05. Results:. The prevalence of type 1–4 lumbar spine subtypes in the case group were 12.8%, 20.8%, 30.4% and 36% respectively and in the control group were 10.4%, 38.3% and 28% and 23.3% respectively. Types 3 and 4 lumbar spine subtypes were more prevalent in the cases group (66.4% vs 51.2% respectively, P=0.0207). Pelvic incidence was not significant different between groups (P=0.0594). No significant predictors of lumbar coronal plane angle were determined. Lumbar spine subtype (P=0.969), pelvic incidence (P=0.740), sacral slope (P=0.203) pelvic tilt (P=0.167) and lumbar lordosis (P=0.088) were not significant. Discussion:. Results show that neither the lumbar spine subtype nor pelvic parameters appear to have a significant influence on determining the coronal plane angle in the degenerative lumbar spine. Conflict Of Interest Statement: No conflict of interest

Introduction. Surgical correction of spinal deformities is a challenge; segmental instrumentation controlling almost every level is the most recent approach. Correction of the deformity only through apical manipulation has many potential advantages, including little tissue disruption, less invasive intervention, preservation of spinal mobility, and vertebral growth. However, quantification of the amount of force needed to pull on the apex and its effect on translation, de-rotation, and overall correction of the curve needs to be studied. The purpose of this study is to determine the effect and amount of force needed to pull on the apex of a scoliotic deformity towards the midline, and the feasibility of use of this novel potential method of correction in the treatment of patients with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS). Methods. Measurements were taken from 20 patients with AIS treated between June, 2009, and January, 2010. There were 16 female and 4 male patients with an average age of 14.2 years (range 11–20); the coronal preoperative Cobb angle was 67° (42–108°), decreasing on bending to 39° (8–83°), and the apex of the deformity was between T6 and L2. All patients had proximal and distal anchors spanning two levels on each end; the anchors were connected by a concave rod to which the apical vertebra was pulled. We measured the distance between the rod and the apical vertebra and the rotation of the apical vertebrae. Results. In 17 patients a force of 30 lb was applied and in 14 patients the force reached 40 lb. The apical baseline distance was 20.9 mm (10–40); at 30 lb of pull it decreased to 11.9 mm (0–27) and at 40 lb it was 9.4 mm (0–23) or 55% translation. The change in apical rotation was measured in 12 patients. The apex de-rotated in 10 of 12 patients, with a mean rotation of 5.2° (2–10°). Conclusions. Apical translation, vertebral de-rotation, and scoliosis correction can be done by application of a force pulling on a convex anchor at the apex of the curve towards a concave rod. With suitable instrumentation, deformity correction via manipulation of the apical vertebral body can be a valid treatment alternative through a less invasive approach, with little anatomical, biomechanical, and growth potential disruption

We have measured the dynamic movement of the lumbar spine in 57 patients with degenerative lumbar disc disease. Each completed a questionnaire which recorded pain and subjective signs and symptoms. From plain lateral radiographs, the subjects were graded using the criteria of Kellgren and Lawrence and those of Lane et al, which are both based on the severity of degenerative changes. Measurements of the height of the disc space and the vertebral height were obtained and expressed as a ratio. We found no relationship between the characteristics of spinal movement and the overall grading of degenerative disc disease with either system. Both were influenced (p < 0.01) by age, walking distance, severity of symptoms, drug intake and frequency of pain. The present systems for grading degenerative disc disease from plain lateral radiographs have limited application

Introduction. The change of position of the distal pedicle screws with growing rods in relation to vertebral bodies was described as pedicle screws migration. Pedicle screws are subjected to serial distractive forces pushing them down with every distraction; additionally there is continuous growth of the vertebral bodies during the treatment period. These two factors can affect the change of position of the pedicle screws in relation to the vertebrae during the use of growing rods. To our knowledge, this finding has never been studied, confirmed, or quantified. Methods. This is a retrospective review of the radiographs and operative notes of 23 consecutive cases of early-onset scoliosis treated with single growing rods. Age at index surgery ranged from 4 years 2 months to 8 years 9 months, and the number of distractions was four to 11 per patient. Measurements were done on post-index and latest follow-up true lateral radiographs. With optimum initial position of the screws in the pedicle, we calculated the distance between the upper end plate and the pedicle screw (distance superior to the screw [SS]) and the distance between the screw and lower-end plate (distance inferior to the screw [IS]). We expressed this ratio as a percentage: SS/IS x 100%. Any increase in this percentage with time denoted a more caudal position; however, a change in the percentage of less than 10% was regarded as insignificant. Results. Seven cases were excluded because of inadequate radiographs for measurements. Within the distal construct, measurements of the upper pedicle screw showed that six cases had a change of less than 10% and were regarded as insignificant. Ten cases had changes of more than 10%, five had changes between 10% and 50%, three between 50% and 100%, and two more than 100%. We identified two types of migration: the first within the pedicle with pedicle elongation, and the second through and distal to the pedicle. None of the patients had adverse clinical consequences related to this change. Conclusions. Change of screw position with time is a frequent occurrence in the distal pedicle screws with single growing rods. Two different types were identified. With growing rods some degree of distal pedicle screw migration in this paediatric age group may not be regarded as a complication of treatment

We have investigated whether patients with adolescent-onset idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) are more likely to have a low body-weight. Measurements of weight, height and body mass index (BMI) were made in 44 young women with AIS and compared with age- and gender-adjusted normative data. The body mass criteria of the International Classification of Diseases for eating disorders was used to determine how many patients were within the range considered to be ‘eating disordered’. Compared with the normative data, the AIS group did not differ significantly in terms of height, (p = 0.646), but they were significantly lighter (p < 0.001) and had significantly lower BMI scores (p < 0.001); 25% of the series had BMI scores which were within the range considered to be anorexic. The relationship between a diagnosis of AIS and low body-weight may indicate disordered eating and is thus a cause for concern, particularly in the light of the well-established relationship between eating psychopathology and osteoporosis. Aspects of organic health may need to be considered in addition to the cosmetic deformity

Aims

To report the mid-term results of a modified self-growing rod (SGR) technique for the treatment of idiopathic and neuromuscular early-onset scoliosis (EOS).

Aims

To compare the rates of sagittal and coronal correction for all-pedicle screw instrumentation and hybrid instrumentation using sublaminar bands in the treatment of thoracic adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS).

Aims

The aim of this study was to determine the influence of developmental spinal stenosis (DSS) on the risk of re-operation at an adjacent level.

Objectives

Pedicle-lengthening osteotomy is a novel surgery for lumbar spinal stenosis (LSS), which achieves substantial enlargement of the spinal canal by expansion of the bilateral pedicle osteotomy sites. Few studies have evaluated the impact of this new surgery on spinal canal volume (SCV) and neural foramen dimension (NFD) in three different types of LSS patients.

Aims

We compared the clinical and radiological outcomes of using a polyetheretherketone cage with (TiPEEK) and without a titanium coating (PEEK) for instrumented transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (TLIF).

Objectives

Many studies have investigated the kinematics of the lumbar spine and the morphological features of the lumbar discs. However, the segment-dependent immediate changes of the lumbar intervertebral space height during flexion-extension motion are still unclear. This study examined the changes of intervertebral space height during flexion-extension motion of lumbar specimens.

Aims

The purpose of this study was to investigate the prevalence of sarcopenia and to examine its impact on patients with degenerative lumbar spinal stenosis (DLSS).