To determine the value of scoliosis surgery, it is necessary to evaluate outcomes in domains that matter to patients. Since randomized trials on adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) are scarce, prospective cohort studies with comparable outcome measures are important. To enhance comparison, a core set of patient-related outcome measures is available. The aim of this study was to evaluate the outcomes of AIS fusion surgery at two-year follow-up using the core outcomes set. AIS patients were systematically enrolled in an institutional registry. In all, 144 AIS patients aged ≤ 25 years undergoing primary surgery (median age 15 years (interquartile range 14 to 17) were included. Patient-reported (condition-specific and health-related quality of life (QoL); functional status; back and leg pain intensity) and clinician-reported outcomes (complications, revision surgery) were recorded. Changes in patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) were analyzed using Friedman’s analysis of variance. Clinical relevancy was determined using minimally important changes (Scoliosis Research Society (SRS)-22r), cut-off values for relevant effect on functioning (pain scores) and a patient-acceptable symptom state (PASS; Oswestry Disability Index).Aims
Methods
We have evaluated the use of a synthetic porous ceramic (Triosite) as a substitute for bone graft in posterior spinal fusion for idiopathic scoliosis. In a prospective, randomised study 341 patients at five hospitals in the UK and France were randomly allocated either to autograft from the iliac crest or rib segments (171) or to receive Triosite blocks (170). All patients were assessed after operation and at 3, 6, 12 and 18 months. The two groups were similar with regard to all demographic and baseline variables, but the 184 treated in France (54%) had Cotrel-Dubouset instrumentation and the 157 treated in the UK usually had Harrington-Luque implants. In the Triosite group the average Cobb angle of the upper curve was 56°, corrected to 24° (57%). At 18 months, the average was 26° (3% loss). In the autograft group the average preoperative upper curve of 53° was corrected to 21° (60%). At 18 months the mean curve was 25° (8% loss).
The aim of this study was to compare the effect of a percutaneous
radiofrequency heat lesion at the medial branch of the primary dorsal
ramus with a sham procedure, for the treatment of lumbar facet joint
pain. A randomised sham-controlled double blind multicentre trial was
carried out at the multidisciplinary pain centres of two hospitals.
A total of 60 patients aged >
18 years with a history and physical
examination suggestive of facet joint pain and a decrease of ≥ 2
on a numerical rating scale (NRS 0 to 10) after a diagnostic facet
joint test block were included. In the treatment group, a percutaneous
radiofrequency heat lesion (80oC during 60 seconds per
level) was applied to the medial branch of the primary dorsal ramus.
In the sham group, the same procedure was undertaken without for
the radiofrequency lesion. Both groups also received a graded activity
physiotherapy programme. The primary outcome measure was decrease
in pain. A secondary outcome measure was the Global Perceived Effect scale
(GPE).Aims
Patients and Methods
There have been few reports regarding the efficacy
of posterior instrumentation alone as surgical treatment for patients
with pyogenic spondylitis, thus avoiding the morbidity of anterior
surgery. We report the clinical outcomes of six patients with pyogenic
spondylitis treated effectively with a single-stage posterior fusion
without anterior debridement at a mean follow-up of 2.8 years (2
to 5). Haematological data, including white cell count and level
of C-reactive protein, returned to normal in all patients at a mean
of 8.2 weeks (7 to 9) after the posterior fusion. Rigid bony fusion
between the infected vertebrae was observed in five patients at
a mean of 6.3 months (4.5 to 8) post-operatively, with the remaining
patient having partial union. Severe back pain was immediately reduced
following surgery and the activities of daily living showed a marked
improvement. Methicillin-resistant Single-stage posterior fusion may be effective in patients with
pyogenic spondylitis who have relatively minor bony destruction.
The optimal timing of percutaneous vertebroplasty
as treatment for painful osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures
(OVCFs) is still unclear. With the position of vertebroplasty having
been challenged by recent placebo-controlled studies, appropriate
timing gains importance. We investigated the relationship between the onset of symptoms
– the time from fracture – and the efficacy of vertebroplasty in
115 patients with 216 painful subacute or chronic OVCFs (mean time
from fracture 6.0 months ( It was found that there was an immediate and sustainable improvement
in the level of back pain and HRQoL after vertebroplasty, which
was independent of the time from fracture. Greater time from fracture
was associated with neither worse pre-operative conditions nor increased
vertebral deformity, nor with the presence of an intravertebral cleft. We conclude that vertebroplasty can be safely undertaken at an
appropriate moment between two and 12 months following the onset
of symptoms of an OVCF.
Osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures
(VCFs) are an increasing public health problem. Recently, randomised
controlled trials on the use of kyphoplasty and vertebroplasty in
the treatment of these fractures have been published, but no definitive conclusions
have been reached on the role of these interventions. The major
problem encountered when trying to perform a meta-analysis of the
available studies for the use of cementoplasty in patients with
a VCF is that conservative management has not been standardised.
Forms of conservative treatment commonly used in these patients
include bed rest, analgesic medication, physiotherapy and bracing. In this review, we report the best evidence available on the
conservative care of patients with osteoporotic VCFs and associated
back pain, focusing on the role of the most commonly used spinal
orthoses. Although orthoses are used for the management of these patients,
to date, there has been only one randomised controlled trial published
evaluating their value. Until the best conservative management for
patients with VCFs is defined and standardised, no conclusions can
be drawn on the superiority or otherwise of cementoplasty techniques
over conservative management.
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.
Between 1993 and 2008, 41 patients underwent total coccygectomy for coccydynia which had failed to respond to six months of conservative management. Of these, 40 patients were available for clinical review and 39 completed a questionnaire giving their evaluation of the effect of the operation. Excellent or good results were obtained in 33 of the 41 patients, comprising 18 of the 21 patients with coccydynia due to trauma, five of the eight patients with symptoms following childbirth and ten of 12 idiopathic onset. In eight patients the results were moderate or poor, although none described worse pain after the operation. The only post-operative complication was superficial wound infection which occurred in five patients and which settled fully with antibiotic treatment. One patient required re-operation for excision of the distal cornua of the sacrum. Total coccygectomy offered satisfactory relief of pain in the majority of patients regardless of the cause of their symptoms.
This review of the literature presents the current understanding of Scheuermann’s kyphosis and investigates the controversies concerning conservative and surgical treatment. There is considerable debate regarding the pathogenesis, natural history and treatment of this condition. A benign prognosis with settling of symptoms and stabilisation of the deformity at skeletal maturity is expected in most patients. Observation and programmes of exercise are appropriate for mild, flexible, non-progressive deformities. Bracing is indicated for a moderate deformity which spans several levels and retains flexibility in motivated patients who have significant remaining spinal growth. The loss of some correction after the completion of bracing with recurrent anterior vertebral wedging has been reported in approximately one-third of patients. Surgical correction with instrumented spinal fusion is indicated for a severe kyphosis which carries a risk of progression beyond the end of growth causing cosmetic deformity, back pain and neurological complications. There is no consensus on the effectiveness of different techniques and types of instrumentation. Techniques include posterior-only and combined anteroposterior spinal fusion with or without posterior osteotomies across the apex of the deformity. Current instrumented techniques include hybrid and all-pedicle screw constructs.