Aims

Psychoeducative prehabilitation to optimize surgical outcomes is relatively novel in spinal fusion surgery and, like most rehabilitation treatments, they are rarely well specified. Spinal fusion patients experience anxieties perioperatively about pain and immobility, which might prolong hospital length of stay (LOS). The aim of this prospective cohort study was to determine if a Preoperative Spinal Education (POSE) programme, specified using the Rehabilitation Treatment Specification System (RTSS) and designed to normalize expectations and reduce anxieties, was safe and reduced LOS.

Introduction. Lumbosacral transitional vertebrae (LSTV) are increasingly recognized as a common anatomical variant and is the most common congenital anomaly of the lumbosacral spine. Patients can have symptomatic LSTV, known as Bertolotti's Syndrome, where transitional anatomy can cause back, L5 distribution leg, hip, and groin pain. We propose an outline for diagnosis and treatment of Bertolotti's Syndrome. Methods. We retrospectively reviewed over 500 patients presenting to the primary author with low back, buttock, hip, groin and/or leg pain from April 2009 through April 2024. Patients with radiographic findings of an LSTV and clinical presentation underwent diagnostic injections to confirm diagnosis of Bertolotti's syndrome. Treatment was determined based on patient's LSTV classification. 157 patients with confirmed Bertolotti's syndrome underwent surgical treatment. Results. Over 500 patients presented with an appropriate clinical presentation and radiographic findings of an LSTV. Diagnostic injections were targeted into the transitional anatomy confirming the LSTV as the primary pain generator to make the diagnosis of Bertolotti's syndrome. The decision in the type of surgical intervention, resection or fusion, was made based on patient's LSTV anatomy. 157 patients with confirmed Bertolotti's Syndrome underwent surgical treatment (121 fusions (77%), 36 resections (23%)). The classification system and surgical outcomes, in part, have been previously published in World Neurosurgery. Conclusion. We have outlined the best practice of diagnosis and treatment selection for Bertolotti's syndrome. We have shown significant improvement in outcomes based on this method. We hope to aid in both patient education and provide an outline on how clinicians can become knowledgeable on Bertolotti's syndrome. Conflicts of interest. No conflicts of interest. Sources of funding. No funding obtained

Background. Low back pain (LBP) is a major problem across the globe and is the leading cause worldwide of years lost to disability. Self-management is considered an important component the treatment of people with non-specific LBP. However, it seems that the self-management support for people with non-specific LBP provided by physiotherapists can be improved. Moreover, the way exercise therapists (ET) address self-management in practice is unknown. Purpose. To investigate the ideas, opinions and methods used by physiotherapists and ET with regard to self-management and providing self-management support to patients with non-specific LBP. Methods. This study was a qualitative survey. An online questionnaire with open-ended questions was developed. The survey was conducted among physiotherapists and ET working in the Netherlands. Data was analysed using thematic analysis. Results. Respondents considered self-management support an important topic in physiotherapy and exercise therapy for people with non-specific LBP. In the self-management support provided by the respondents, providing information and advice were frequently mentioned. The topics included in the support given by the respondents covered a broad range of important factors. The topics frequently focused on biomechanical factors. Therapists mainly provided patient education rather than self-management support. Moreover, important self-management skills were generally not addressed sufficiently. The majority of respondents had a need with regard to self-management or providing self-management support. These needs include having more knowledge, skills and tools aimed at facilitating self-management. Conclusion. The way physiotherapists and ET address self-management in people with non-specific LBP is not optimal and should be improved. Conflicts of interest: No conflicts of interest. Sources of funding: No funding obtained. Previous publication: This work was published in a scientific journal: Hutting N, Oswald W, Staal JB, Heerkens YF. Self-management support for people with non-specific low back pain: A qualitative survey among physiotherapists and exercise therapists. Musculoskelet Sci Pract. 2020 Dec; 50:102269. doi: 10.1016/j.msksp.2020.102269. This work was never presented at a conference

Background and objectives. Numerous approaches are recommended for the management of non-specific neck pain (NS-NP). However, the extent to which approaches are used is unclear. This survey investigated current UK physiotherapists' measurement and management of patients with NS-NP. Methods and results. Physiotherapists were invited to participate in an online survey if they were practicing in the UK and had experience of managing NS-NP. 2101 responses were received. Analysis of the results indicated the overall popularity of active treatment approaches with 84% and 61% of respondents employing exercise and patient education respectively. 48% of respondents reported using a multimodal approach (that is, combination of exercise and manual therapy with/without patient education). Over a third of respondents reported not using outcome measures (OMs) for NS-NP. Of the two-thirds who reported using OMs, the majority reported using pain and range of motion measures. Physical and functional limitations, psychological distress, and quality of life constructs, which are frequently associated with NS-NP, were rarely measured. Conclusion. The active interventions most frequently used in the management of NS-NP were supported by moderate to strong evidence but a variety of other commonly used approaches have limited, unclear or no evidence of efficacy. Multimodal treatment approaches that are supported by strong evidence of efficacy are less commonly used. Physiotherapists in the UK are inadequately evaluating NS-NP. Research and guidelines are needed to reduce the use of ineffective interventions, promote the use of multimodal care and develop high quality outcome measures that are relevant and feasible for use in clinical practice. Keywords. Health, survey, neck pain, non-specific, rehabilitation. Conflicts of interest: None. Sources of funding: None

Purpose. This research project explored the experiences, attitudes, beliefs, and perceptions of healthcare professionals (physiotherapists and orthopaedic surgeons) and people with chronic low back pain (CLBP) regarding the barriers and facilitators to activity normalisation following physiotherapy. Methods. A qualitative study of the perspectives of patients, physiotherapists and orthopaedic surgeons on CLBP was undertaken in Saudi Arabia. One focus group discussion was conducted with seven patients who had received physiotherapy for CLBP, along with one focus group discussion with eight physiotherapists and seven individual interviews with orthopaedic surgeons. The focus group discussions and interviews were transcribed and analysed using framework analysis. Results. We identified seven factors facilitating or hindering activity normalisation following physiotherapy: symptom control, patient education and awareness, adherence to treatment plan, psychosocial factors, role of the clinician, social support, and issues relating to the healthcare system. Conclusion. Clinicians stressed the importance of exercise and regular activity in spite of pain as an important factor hindering activity normalisation. Patients appreciated reassurance and advice from clinicians but also noted that conflicting and ambiguous advice and diagnosis was common. This may contribute to poor adherence with advice and exercise. Fear of pain and recurrence of injury were highlighted as important factors hindering activity normalisation, particularly since some patients did not take active steps to control pain. Finally, whilst multidisciplinary teams may support patient recovery and activity normalisation, this is often expensive and intensive and may be beyond the reach of a healthcare system without a properly functioning referral system and insufficient specialised clinics and physicians. Conflicts of interest: None. Sources of funding: This research was supported through a PhD scholarship from Prince Sattam bin Abdulaziz University, Saudi Arabia, at the University of Nottingham, United Kingdom

Purpose and background:. Cauda Equina Syndrome (CES) is a rare condition which, even in the presence of prompt surgical decompression, can have devastating consequences for patients in terms of bladder and bowel dysfunction. The aim of this project was to develop a post-operative pathway for the assessment and management of bladder and bowel dysfunction in patients with CES. Method:. Beaumont Hospital performs a high volume of spinal surgeries. A small number are lumbar decompression surgeries due to CES. While sphincter function is routinely screened by a physiotherapist post-operatively, to date there has been no protocol in place for assessment and management of bladder and bowel dysfunction in this population. This project was carried out in collaboration with consultants in urology and colorectal surgery, as well as clinical nurse specialists in both areas. Results:. All patients undergoing lumbar decompression due to CES will be referred to a colorectal surgeon for post-operatively review and out-patient monitoring. A routine bladder ultrasound will be completed post-operatively to assess for urinary retention with a post void residual > 150 mls of urine indicating the need for referral to a urologist for in-patient review and out-patient follow-up. A patient education leaflet has also been developed. Conclusions:. A pathway has been implemented at Beaumont Hospital to ensure timely referral to specialised teams for both assessment and management of bladder and bowel dysfunction in CES. This pathway will ensure prompt access to specialised and supportive multi-disciplinary teams in the days/weeks/months/years post-operatively thereby minimising the emotional distress and health risks associated with secondary complications of CES

Adolescent idiopathic scoliosis affects about 3% of children. Non-operative measures are aimed at altering the natural history to maintain the size of the curve below 40° at skeletal maturity. The application of braces to treat spinal deformity pre-dates the era of evidence-based medicine, and there is a paucity of irrefutable prospective evidence in the literature to support their use and their effectiveness has been questioned.

This review considers this evidence. The weight of the evidence is in favour of bracing over observation. The most recent literature has moved away from addressing this question, and instead focuses on developments in the design of braces and ways to improve compliance.

Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2013;95-B:1308–16.