Introduction and Objective. Pectus carinatum is a common congenital anterior chest wall deformity, characterized by outward protrusion of sternum and ribcage resulted from rib cartilage overgrowth. The protrusion may be symmetrical or asymmetrical. Pectus carinatum association with mitral valve diseases, Marfan's syndrome, and
The Cochrane Collaboration has produced five new reviews relevant to bone and joint surgery since the publication of the last Cochrane Corner These reviews are relevant to a wide range of musculoskeletal specialists, and include reviews in Morton’s neuroma,
Anterior vertebral body tethering (AVBT) is a growth modulating procedure used to manage idiopathic scoliosis by applying a flexible tether to the convex surface of the spine in skeletally immature patients. The purpose of this study is to determine the preliminary clinical outcomes for an adolescent patient cohort. 18 patients with
Complex spinal deformities can cause pain, neurological symptoms and imbalance (sagittal and/or coronal), severely impairing patients’ quality of life and causing disability. Their treatment has always represented a tough challenge: prior to the introduction of modern internal fixation systems, the only option was an arthrodesis to prevent worsening of the deformity. Then, the introduction of pedicle screws allowed the surgeons to perform powerful corrective manoeuvres, distributing forces over multiple levels, to which eventually associate osteotomies. In treating flexible coronal deformities, in-ternal fixation and corrective manoeuvres may be sufficient: the combination of high density pedicle screws and direct vertebral rotation revolutionized surgical treatment of
Background The internet is an increasingly utilised resource for accessing information regarding a variety of heath conditions. YouTube is a popular video sharing platform used to both seek and distribute information online. Materials & Methods. A search for ‘scoliosis’ was carried out using YouTube's search engine and data was collected on the first fifty videos returned. A JAMA score (to determine currency, authorship, source and disclosure) and
Background. Using flexible tethering techniques, porcine models of
Background. Finite element (FE) models have become a standard pre-clinical tool to study biomechanics of spine and are used to simulate and evaluate different strategies in
Introduction Leg length inequalities (LLIs) are a common finding in every orthopaedic practice. They can be classified into anatomical and functional LLIs. LLIs can e.g. cause gait and balance disabilities, low back pain and functional
TGF-beta signaling has a well established role not only in adult organ homeostasis but also in skeletal development. Follistatin-like 3 (FSTL3), related to follistatin, is an inhibitor of TGF-beta ligands, with an established role in glucose and fat metabolism. However it has not previously been studied in skeletal development. Using a FSTL3 knock-out (KO) mouse model we have studied both embryonic skeletal development and adult bone phenotypes. Staining for skeletal and cartilage markers during development shows acceleration of skeletal tissue differentiation, with an eventual normalization at E18.5 (which is just prior to birth). Acceleration of bone mineralization occurs during both endochondral and intramembranous ossification. Use of micro-CT imaging highlighted the development of a
Summary Statement. Novel radiopaque UHMWPE sublaminar cables may be a promising alternative to gliding pedicle screws or titanium sublaminar cables within a growth-guidance system for the surgical treatment of early onset
Background. Proteoglycans (PGs) have long been known to be important to the functioning of the intervertebral disc. The most common PG is aggrecan, but there are also small leucine-rich proteoglycans (SLRPs) which constitute only a small percentage of the total PGs. However, they have many important functions, including organising the collagen, protecting it from degradation and attracting growth factors to the disc. We have examined how the core proteins of these molecules vary in intervertebral discs from patients with different pathologies. Methods. Discs were obtained from patients with
INTRODUCTION. Growth-guidance constructs are an alternative to growing rods for the surgical treatment of early onset
Background. After surgical correction of thoracic
Introduction. Discogenic pain is associated with ingrowth of blood vessels and nerves, but uncertainty over the extent of ingrowth is hindering development of appropriate treatments. We hypothesise that adult human annulus fibrosus is such a dense crosslinked tissue that ingrowth via the annulus is confined to a) peripheral regions, and b) fissures extending into the annulus. Methods. Disc tissue was examined from 61 patients (aged 37–75 yrs) undergoing surgery for disc herniation, degeneration or
Summary Statement. Incorrect pedicle screw placement can lead to neurological complications. Practice outside the operating room on realistic bone models, with force feedback, could improve safety. Pedicle forces in cadaveric specimens are reported, to support development of a training tool for residents. Introduction. Inserting screws into the vertebral pedicles is a challenging step in spinal fusion and
Introduction. Severe ‘discogenic’ back pain may be related to the ingrowth of nerves and blood vessels, although this is controversial. We hypothesise that ingrowth is greater in painful discs, and is facilitated in the region of annulus fissures. Methods. We compared tissue removed at surgery from 22 patients with discogenic back pain and/or sciatica, and from 16 young patients with
Growth rods are currently used in young children to hold a
To determine the pattern of mutations of the A total of 15 patients with clinical features of PPD were enrolled in this study. Genomic DNA was isolated and polymerase chain reaction performed to amplify the Objectives
Patients and Methods