We report three patients with neurological deterioration after the reduction of cervical spine dislocation. In each case compression of the spinal cord by disc material was demonstrated by magnetic resonance imaging and recovery occurred following removal of the compressing disc. A separate radiological study suggested that disproportionate narrowing of the disc space implies disc extrusion; reduction of a dislocation showing this sign may produce or exacerbate neurological deterioration.

The February 2023 Spine Roundup. 360. looks at: S2AI screws: At what cost?; Just how good is spinal deformity surgery?; Is 80 years of age too late in the day for spine surgery?; Factors affecting the accuracy of pedicle screw placement in robot-assisted surgery; Factors causing delay in discharge in patients eligible for ambulatory lumbar fusion surgery; Anterior cervical discectomy or fusion and selective laminoplasty for cervical spondylotic myelopathy; Surgery for cervical radiculopathy: what is the complication burden?; Hypercholesterolemia and neck pain; Return to work after surgery for cervical radiculopathy: a nationwide registry-based observational study

The April 2023 Spine Roundup. 360. looks at: Percutaneous transforaminal endoscopic discectomy versus microendoscopic discectomy; Spine surgical site infections: a single debridement is not enough; Lenke type 5, anterior, or posterior: systematic review and meta-analysis; Epidural steroid injections and postoperative infection in lumbar decompression or fusion; Noninferiority of posterior cervical foraminotomy versus anterior cervical discectomy; Identifying delays to surgical treatment for metastatic disease; Cervical disc replacement and adjacent segment disease: the NECK trial; Predicting complication in adult spine deformity surgery

The August 2023 Spine Roundup360 looks at: Changes in paraspinal muscles correspond to the severity of degeneration in patients with lumbar stenosis; Steroid injections are not effective in the prevention of surgery for degenerative cervical myelopathy; A higher screw density is associated with fewer mechanical complications after surgery for adult spinal deformity; Methylprednisolone following minimally invasive lumbar decompression: a large prospective single-institution study; Occupancy rate of pedicle screw below 80% is a risk factor for upper instrumented vertebral fracture following adult spinal deformity surgery; Deterioration after surgery for degenerative cervical myelopathy: an observational study from the Canadian Spine Outcomes and Research Network

Aims. This study, using a surgeon-maintained database, aimed to explore the risk factors for surgery-related complications in patients undergoing primary cervical spine surgery for degenerative diseases. Methods. We studied 5,015 patients with degenerative cervical diseases who underwent primary cervical spine surgery from 2012 to 2018. We investigated the effects of diseases, surgical procedures, and patient demographics on surgery-related complications. As subcategories, the presence of cervical kyphosis ≥ 10°, the presence of ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament (OPLL) with a canal-occupying ratio ≥ 50%, and foraminotomy were selected. The surgery-related complications examined were postoperative upper limb palsy (ULP) with a manual muscle test (MMT) grade of 0 to 2 or a reduction of two grade or more in the MMT, neurological deficit except ULP, dural tear, dural leakage, surgical-site infection (SSI), and postoperative haematoma. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was performed. Results. The significant risk factors (p < 0.050) for ULP were OPLL (odds ratio (OR) 1.88, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.29 to 2.75), foraminotomy (OR 5.38, 95% CI 3.28 to 8.82), old age (per ten years, OR 1.18, 95% CI 1.03 to 1.36), anterior spinal fusion (OR 2.85, 95% CI 1.53 to 5.34), and the number of operated levels (OR 1.25, 95% CI 1.11 to 1.40). OPLL was also a risk factor for neurological deficit except ULP (OR 5.84, 95% CI 2.80 to 12.8), dural tear (OR 1.94, 95% CI 1.11 to 3.39), and dural leakage (OR 3.15, 95% CI 1.48 to 6.68). Among OPLL patients, dural tear and dural leakage were frequently observed in those with a canal-occupying ratio ≥ 50%. Cervical rheumatoid arthritis (RA) was a risk factor for SSI (OR 10.1, 95% CI 2.66 to 38.4). Conclusion. The high risk of ULP, neurological deficit except ULP, dural tear, and dural leak should be acknowledged by clinicians and OPLL patients, especially in those patients with a canal-occupying ratio ≥ 50%. Foraminotomy and RA were dominant risk factors for ULP and SSI, respectively. An awareness of these risks may help surgeons to avoid surgery-related complications in these conditions. Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2021;103-B(1):157–163

The October 2024 Spine Roundup. 360. looks at: Analysis of risk factors for non-fusion of bone graft in anterior cervical discectomy and fusion: a clinical retrospective study; Does paraspinal muscle mass predict lumbar lordosis before and after decompression for degenerative spinal stenosis?; Return to work after surgery for lumbar disk herniation: a nationwide registry-based study; Can the six-minute walking test assess ambulatory function impairment in patients with cervical spondylotic myelopathy?; Complications after adult deformity surgery: losing more than sleep; Frailty limits how good we can get in adult spine deformity surgery

The August 2024 Spine Roundup. 360. looks at: Laminectomy adjacent to instrumented fusion increases adjacent segment disease; Influence of the timing of surgery for cervical spinal cord injury without bone injury in the elderly: a retrospective multicentre study; Lumbar vertebral body tethering: single-centre outcomes and reoperations in a consecutive series of 106 patients; Machine-learning algorithms for predicting Cobb angle beyond 25° in female adolescent idiopathic scoliosis patients; Pain in adolescent idiopathic scoliosis; Teriparatide prevents surgery for osteoporotic vertebral compression fracture

In a retrospective cohort study we compared the clinical outcome and complications, including dysphagia, following anterior cervical fusion for the treatment of cervical spondylosis using either a zero-profile (Zero-P; Synthes) implant or an anterior cervical plate and cage. A total of 83 patients underwent fusion using a Zero-P and 107 patients underwent fusion using a plate and cage. The mean follow-up was 18.6 months (. sd. 4.2) in the Zero-P group and 19.3 months (. sd. 4.1) in the plate and cage group. All patients in both groups had significant symptomatic and neurological improvement. There were no significant differences between the groups in the Neck Disability Index (NDI) and visual analogue scores at final follow-up. The cervical alignment improved in both groups. There was a higher incidence of dysphagia in the plate and cage group on the day after surgery and at two months post-operatively. All patients achieved fusion and no graft migration or nonunion was observed. When compared with the traditional anterior cervical plate and cage, the Zero-P implant is a safe and convenient procedure giving good results in patients with symptomatic cervical spondylosis with a reduced incidence of dysphagia post-operatively. Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2013;95-B:543–7

Aims. In this prospective observational study, we investigated the time-dependent changes and correlations of upper arm performance tests (ten-second test and Simple Test for Evaluating Hand Function (STEF), the Japanese Orthopaedic Association (JOA) score, and the JOA Cervical Myelopathy Evaluation Questionnaire (JOACMEQ) in 31 patients with cervical myelopathy who had undergone surgery. . Patients and Methods. We hypothesised that all the indices correlate with each other, but show slightly different recovery patterns, and that the newly described JOACMEQ is a sensitive outcome measure. Results. Peak recoveries were achieved one month post-operatively in the ten-second test and JOACMEQ upper extremity function (UEF) subscale, and at three months in the JOA and STEF scores. The recoveries of all indices were maintained until six months post-operatively. The upper extremity function (UEF) subscale in the JOACMEQ showed the strongest correlation with STEF although all the indices correlated with each other. Patients with ≥ 20 and < 20 acquired points in the UEF subscale were classified into the UEF-improved and UEF-unimproved groups. Comparisons between the groups showed that pre-operative evaluation of “coordinated motion” of the STEF was significantly low in the UEF-unimproved group. . Conclusion. These results indicate that the JOACMEQ is a concise, sensitive, patient-based outcome measure for evaluating functional recovery in patients with cervical myelopathy who have undergone surgery. Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2016;98-B:990–6

Aim. Identifying cervical spine injuries in confused or comatose patients with multiple injuries provides a diagnostic challenge. Our aim was to investigate the protocols which are used for the clearance of the cervical spine in these patients in English hospitals. Patients and Methods. All hospitals in England with an Emergency Department were asked about the protocols which they use for assessing the cervical spine. All 22 Major Trauma Centres (MTCs) and 141 of 156 non-MTCs responded (response rate 91.5%). Results. Written guidelines were used in 138 hospitals (85%). CT scanning was the first-line investigation in 122 (75%). A normal CT scan was sufficient to clear the cervical spine in 73 (45%). However, 40 (25%) would continue precautions until the patient regained full consciousness. MRI was performed in all confused or comatose patients with a possible cervical spinal injury in 15 (9%). There were variations in the grade and speciality of the clinician who had responsibility for deciding when to discontinue precautions. A total of 31 (19%) reported at least one missed cervical spinal injury following discontinuation of spinal precautions within the last five years. Only 93 (57%) had a formal mechanism for reviewing missed injuries. Take home message: There are significant variations in protocols and practices for the clearance of the cervical spine in multiply injured patients in acute hospitals in England. The establishment of trauma networks should be taken as an opportunity to further standardise trauma care. Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2016;98-B:825–8

Aims. Previous research has demonstrated increased early complication rates following total hip arthroplasty (THA) in obese patients, as defined by body mass index (BMI). Subcutaneous fat depth (FD) has been shown to be an independent risk factor for wound infection in cervical and lumbar spine surgery, as well as after abdominal laparotomy. The aim of this study was to investigate whether increased peritrochanteric FD was associated with an increased risk of complications in the first year following THA. Methods. We analyzed prospectively collected data on a consecutive series of 1,220 primary THAs from June 2013 until May 2018. The vertical soft tissue depth from the most prominent part of the greater trochanter to the skin was measured intraoperatively using a sterile ruler and recorded to the nearest millimetre. BMI was calculated at the patient’s preoperative assessment. All surgical complications occuring within the initial 12 months of follow-up were identified. Results. Females had a significantly greater FD at the greater trochanter in comparison to males (median 3.0 cm (interquartile range (IQR) 2.3 to 4.0) vs 2.0 cm (IQR 1.7 to 3.0); p < 0.001) despite equivalent BMI between sexes (male median BMI 30.0 kg/m. 2. (IQR 27.0 to 33.0); female median 29.0 kg/m. 2. (IQR 25.0 to 33.0)). FD showed a weak correlation with BMI (R² 0.41 males and R² 0.43 females). Patients with the greatest FD (upper quartile) were at no greater risk of complications compared with patients with the lowest FD (lower quartile); 7/311 (2.3%) vs 9/439 (2.1%); p = 0.820 . Conversely, patients with the highest BMI (≥ 40 kg/m. 2. ) had a significantly increased risk of complications compared with patients with lower BMI (< 40 kg/m. 2. ); 5/60 (8.3% vs 18/1,160 (1.6%), odds ratio (OR) 5.77 (95% confidence interval (CI) 2.1 to 16.1; p = 0.001)). Conclusion. We found no relationship between peritrochanteric FD and the risk of surgical complications following primary THA. Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2020;102-B(9):1146–1150

Aims. The aim of this study was to determine how the short- and medium- to long-term outcome measures after total disc replacement (TDR) compare with those of anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF), using a systematic review and meta-analysis. Patients and Methods. Databases including Medline, Embase, and Scopus were searched. Inclusion criteria involved prospective randomized control trials (RCTs) reporting the surgical treatment of patients with symptomatic degenerative cervical disc disease. Two independent investigators extracted the data. The strength of evidence was assessed using the Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE) criteria. The primary outcome measures were overall and neurological success, and these were included in the meta-analysis. Standardized patient-reported outcomes, including the incidence of further surgery and adjacent segment disease, were summarized and discussed. Results. A total of 22 papers published from 14 RCTs were included, representing 3160 patients with follow-up of up to ten years. Meta-analysis indicated that TDR is superior to ACDF at two years and between four and seven years. In the short-term, patients who underwent TDR had better patient-reported outcomes than those who underwent ACDF, but at two years this was typically not significant. Results between four and seven years showed significant differences in Neck Disability Index (NDI), 36-Item Short-Form Health Survey (SF-36) physical component scores, dysphagia, and satisfaction, all favouring TDR. Most trials found significantly less adjacent segment disease after TDR at both two years (short-term) and between four and seven years (medium- to long-term). Conclusion. TDR is as effective as ACDF and superior for some outcomes. Disc replacement reduces the risk of adjacent segment disease. Continued uncertainty remains about degeneration of the prosthesis. Long-term surveillance of patients who undergo TDR may allow its routine use. Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2018;100-B:991–1001

We present the case of a 15-year-old boy with symptoms due to Klippel–Feil syndrome. Radiographs and CT scans demonstrated basilar impression, occipitalisation of C1 and fusion of C2/C3. MRI showed ventral compression of the medullocervical junction. Skull traction was undertaken pre-operatively to determine whether the basilar impression could be safely reduced. During traction, the C3/C4 junction migrated 12 mm caudally and spasticity resolved. Peri-operative skull-femoral traction enabled posterior occipitocervical fixation without decompression. Following surgery, cervical alignment was restored and spasticity remained absent. One year after surgery he was not limited in his activities. The surgical strategy for patients with basilar impression and congenital anomalies remains controversial. The anterior approach with decompression is often recommended for patients with ventral compression of the medullocervical region, but such procedures are technically demanding and carry a significant risk of complications. Our surgical strategy was an alternative solution. Prior to a posterior cervical fixation, without decompression, skull traction was used to confirm that the deformity was reducible and effective in resolving associated myelopathy