This short contribution aims to explain how intervertebral disc ‘degeneration’ differs from normal ageing, and to suggest how mechanical loading and constitutional factors interact to cause disc degeneration and prolapse. We suggest that disagreement on these matters in medico-legal practice often arises from a misunderstanding of the nature of ‘soft-tissue injuries’

The lumbar spines of 22 patients were examined for disc degeneration by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and by discography. The results from 50 intervertebral discs visualised by both techniques were independently assessed and graded on a five-point scale from normality to gross degeneration and then compared. In 44 discs the results agreed. Of the six discs which gave differing results, four discrepancies were due to observer error and two to incorrect placement of the discographic needle. MRI was shown to be more accurate than discography in the diagnosis of disc degeneration. It has several major advantages, which should make it the investigation of choice

Thirty-three patients who had undergone anterior cervical fusion for degenerative disc disease were reviewed to determine the efficacy of the procedure. Only patients who were available for examination and who had undergone operation at least one year previously were included in the review. Nearly all had had arm pain and three-quarters neck pain. Diminished neck movement and neurological abnormalities in the arms had been frequent findings. Diagnosis from the clinical features and plain radiographs is described. Myelography was not used routinely and discography was not used at all. Indications for operation and surgical technique are described. Results show that pain in the neck and arm was relieved in a high proportion of cases and that the neurological abnormalities often recovered. It is concluded that this operation is safe and has a definite place in the relief of pain from cervical disc degeneration resistant to conservative treatment

The pathophysiology of intervertebral disc degeneration has been extensively studied. Various factors have been suggested as influencing its aetiology, including mechanical factors, such as compressive loading, shear stress and vibration, as well as ageing, genetic, systemic and toxic factors, which can lead to degeneration of the disc through biochemical reactions. How are these factors linked? What is their individual importance? There is no clear evidence indicating whether ageing in the presence of repetitive injury or repetitive injury in the absence of ageing plays a greater role in the degenerative process. Mechanical factors can trigger biochemical reactions which, in turn, may promote the normal biological changes of ageing, which can also be accelerated by genetic factors. Degradation of the molecular structure of the disc during ageing renders it more susceptible to superimposed mechanical injuries.

This review supports the theory that degeneration of the disc has a complex multifactorial aetiology. Which factors initiate the events in the degenerative cascade is a question that remains unanswered, but most evidence points to an age-related process influenced primarily by mechanical and genetic factors.

We reviewed the radiographs of 325 unselected patients with defects in the pars interarticularis of L5 to study whether the incidence of vertebral slip in spondylolysis of L5 remained unchanged after the age of 20 years. MRI was also carried out on 111 of the patients to investigate the relationship between the shape of the transverse process of L5 and the degeneration of the discs adjacent to this level. The incidence of spondylolisthesis increased with age from 17% in the second decade to 51% in the sixth. The transverse process was significantly more slender in patients with less degeneration at L4/5 and advanced degeneration at L5/S1 than in patients with advanced degeneration at L4/5 and less degeneration at L5/S1. Vertebral slip secondary to an isthmic defect of L5 after the age of 20 years was confirmed and the adjacent disc degeneration was significantly related to the vertical thickness of the transverse process of L5

One hundred and thirty-nine discs from cadaveric lumbar spines were injected with a mixture of radio-opaque fluid and dye. Discograms were taken and the discs were then sectioned in the sagittal plane. Examination of the sections revealed that injected fluid did not at first mix with the disc matrix but pushed it aside to form pools of injected fluid. The location of these pools, and hence the appearance of a discogram, depended on the stage of degeneration of the disc. It is concluded that useful clinical information can be obtained from discograms.

Aims

The complex relationship between acetabular component position and spinopelvic mobility in patients following total hip arthroplasty (THA) renders it difficult to optimize acetabular component positioning. Mobility of the normal lumbar spine during postural changes results in alterations in pelvic tilt (PT) to maintain the sagittal balance in each posture and, as a consequence, markedly changes the functional component anteversion (FCA). This study aimed to investigate the in vivo association of lumbar degenerative disc disease (DDD) with the PT angle and with FCA during postural changes in THA patients.

There are many difficulties associated with the localisation of the symptomatic segment in patients presenting with cervicobrachial pain with no evidence of impaired conduction in the nerve root. Ancillary radiological investigations such as myelography, epidural phlebography, and epidural myelograms are of unreliable diagnostic value. However, discography can be of value if the technique described here is used. Infiltration of the cervical nerve root with local anaesthetic has also proved useful in the localisation of the symptomatic segment. The techniques used in cervical discography and infiltration of the nerve root are described and their reliability is assessed.

We studied 135 lumbar discs from 27 spines removed post-mortem from subjects of an average age of 31.5 years. Defects of the annulus fibrosus were classified as peripheral, circumferential or radiating; the nucleus pulposus as normal, moderately or severely degenerate. Peripheral tears were more frequent in the anterior annulus, except in the L5-S1 disc. Circumferential tears were equally distributed between the anterior and the posterior annulus. Almost all the radiating tears were in the posterior annulus, and closely related to the presence of severe nuclear degeneration. Histology suggested that peripheral tears were due to trauma rather than biochemical degradation, and that they developed independently of nuclear degeneration. The association of peripheral annular lesions with low back pain is uncertain but our study suggests that they may have a role in the pathogenesis of discogenic pain.

Aims. The presence of facet tropism has been correlated with an elevated susceptibility to lumbar disc pathology. Our objective was to evaluate the impact of facet tropism on chronic lumbosacral discogenic pain through the analysis of clinical data and finite element modelling (FEM). Methods. Retrospective analysis was conducted on clinical data, with a specific focus on the spinal units displaying facet tropism, utilizing FEM analysis for motion simulation. We studied 318 intervertebral levels in 156 patients who had undergone provocation discography. Significant predictors of clinical findings were identified by univariate and multivariate analyses. Loading conditions were applied in FEM simulations to mimic biomechanical effects on intervertebral discs, focusing on maximal displacement and intradiscal pressures, gauged through alterations in disc morphology and physical stress. Results. A total of 144 discs were categorized as ‘positive’ and 174 discs as ‘negative’ by the results of provocation discography. The presence of defined facet tropism (OR 3.451, 95% CI 1.944 to 6.126) and higher Adams classification (OR 2.172, 95% CI 1.523 to 3.097) were important predictive parameters for discography-‘positive’ discs. FEM simulations showcased uneven stress distribution and significant disc displacement in tropism-affected discs, where loading exacerbated stress on facets with greater angles. During varied positions, notably increased stress and displacement were observed in discs with tropism compared to those with normal facet structure. Conclusion. Our findings indicate that facet tropism can contribute to disc herniation and changes in intradiscal pressure, potentially exacerbating disc degeneration due to altered force distribution and increased mechanical stress. Cite this article: Bone Joint Res 2024;13(9):452–461

We investigated the relationship between spinopelvic parameters and disc degeneration in young adult patients with spondylolytic spondylolisthesis. A total of 229 men with a mean age of 21 years (18 to 26) with spondylolytic spondylolisthesis were identified. All radiological measurements, including pelvic incidence, sacral slope, pelvic tilt, lumbar lordosis, sacral inclination, lumbosacral angle (LSA), and sacrofemoral distance, were calculated from standing lateral lumbosacral radiographs. The degree of intervertebral disc degeneration was classified using a modified Pfirrmann scale. We analysed the spinopelvic parameters according to disc level, degree of slip and disc degeneration. There were significant positive correlations between the degree of slip and pelvic incidence (p = 0.009), sacral slope (p = 0.003) and lumbar lordosis (p = 0.010). The degree of slip and the LSA were correlated with disc degeneration (p < 0.001 and p = 0.003, respectively). There was also a significant difference between the degree of slip (p < 0.001) and LSA (p = 0.006) according to the segmental level of disc degeneration. Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2013;95-B:1239–43

The December 2022 Spine Roundup. 360. looks at: Deep venous thrombosis prophylaxis protocol on a Level 1 trauma centre patient database; Non-specific spondylodiscitis: a new perspective for surgical treatment; Disc degeneration could be recovered after chemonucleolysis; Three-level anterior cervical discectomy and fusion versus corpectomy- anterior cervical discectomy and fusion “hybrid” procedures: how does the alignment look?; Rivaroxaban or enoxaparin for venous thromboembolism prophylaxis; Surgical site infection: when do we have to remove the implants?; Determination of a neurologic safe zone for bicortical S1 pedicle placement; Do you need to operate on unstable spine fractures in the elderly: outcomes and mortality; Degeneration to deformity: when does the patient need both?

Aims. In this investigation, we administered oxidative stress to nucleus pulposus cells (NPCs), recognized DNA-damage-inducible transcript 4 (DDIT4) as a component in intervertebral disc degeneration (IVDD), and devised a hydrogel capable of conveying small interfering RNA (siRNA) to IVDD. Methods. An in vitro model for oxidative stress-induced injury in NPCs was developed to elucidate the mechanisms underlying the upregulation of DDIT4 expression, activation of the reactive oxygen species (ROS)-thioredoxin-interacting protein (TXNIP)-NLRP3 signalling pathway, and nucleus pulposus pyroptosis. Furthermore, the mechanism of action of small interfering DDIT4 (siDDIT4) on NPCs in vitro was validated. A triplex hydrogel named siDDIT4@G5-P-HA was created by adsorbing siDDIT4 onto fifth-generation polyamidoamine (PAMAM) dendrimer using van der Waals interactions, and then coating it with hyaluronic acid (HA). In addition, we established a rat puncture IVDD model to decipher the hydrogel’s mechanism in IVDD. Results. A correlation between DDIT4 expression levels and disc degeneration was shown with human nucleus pulposus and needle-punctured rat disc specimens. We confirmed that DDIT4 was responsible for activating the ROS-TXNIP-NLRP3 axis during oxidative stress-induced pyroptosis in rat nucleus pulposus in vitro. Mitochondria were damaged during oxidative stress, and DDIT4 contributed to mitochondrial damage and ROS production. In addition, siDDIT4@G5-P-HA hydrogels showed good delivery activity of siDDIT4 to NPCs. In vitro studies illustrated the potential of the siDDIT4@G5-P-HA hydrogel for alleviating IVDD in rats. Conclusion. DDIT4 is a key player in mediating pyroptosis and IVDD in NPCs through the ROS-TXNIP-NLRP3 axis. Additionally, siDDIT4@G5-P-HA hydrogel has been found to relieve IVDD in rats. Our research offers an innovative treatment option for IVDD. Cite this article: Bone Joint Res 2024;13(5):247–260

Bertolotti’s syndrome is characterised by anomalous enlargement of the transverse process(es) of the most caudal lumbar vertebra which may articulate or fuse with the sacrum or ilium and cause isolated L4/5 disc disease. We analysed the elective MR scans of the lumbosacral spine of 769 consecutive patients with low back pain taken between July 2003 and November 2004. Of these 568 showed disc degeneration. Bertolotti’s syndrome was present in 35 patients with a mean age of 32.7 years (15 to 60). This was a younger age than that of patients with multiple disc degeneration, single-level disease and isolated disc degeneration at the L4/5 level (p ≤ 0.05). The overall incidence of Bertolotti’s syndrome in our study was 4.6% (35 of 769). It was present in 11.4% (20 patients) of the under-30 age group. Our findings suggest that Bertolotti’s syndrome must form part of a list of differential diagnoses in the investigation of low back pain in young people

Objectives. Interleukin 18 (IL-18) is a regulatory cytokine that degrades the disc matrix. Bone morphogenetic protein-2 (BMP-2) stimulates synthesis of the disc extracellular matrix. However, the combined effects of BMP-2 and IL-18 on human intervertebral disc degeneration have not previously been reported. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of the anabolic cytokine BMP-2 and the catabolic cytokine IL-18 on human nucleus pulposus (NP) and annulus fibrosus (AF) cells and, therefore, to identify potential therapeutic and clinical benefits of recombinant human (rh)BMP-2 in intervertebral disc degeneration. Methods. Levels of IL-18 were measured in the blood of patients with intervertebral disc degenerative disease and in control patients. Human NP and AF cells were cultured in a NP cell medium and treated with IL-18 or IL-18 plus BMP-2. mRNA levels of target genes were measured by real-time polymerase chain reaction, and protein levels of aggrecan, type II collagen, SOX6, and matrix metalloproteinase 13 (MMP13) were assessed by western blot analysis. Results. The serum level of patients (IL-18) increased significantly with the grade of IVD degeneration. There was a dramatic alteration in IL-18 level between the advanced degeneration (Grade III to V) group and the normal group (p = 0.008) Furthermore, IL-18 induced upregulation of the catabolic regulator MMP13 and downregulation of the anabolic regulators aggrecan, type II collagen, and SOX6 at 24 hours, contributing to degradation of disc matrix enzymes. However, BMP-2 antagonised the IL-18 induced upregulation of aggrecan, type II collagen, and SOX6, resulting in reversal of IL-18 mediated disc degeneration. Conclusions. BMP-2 is anti-catabolic in human NP and AF cells, and its effects are partially mediated through provocation of the catabolic effect of IL-18. These findings indicate that BMP-2 may be a unique therapeutic option for prevention and reversal of disc degeneration. Cite this article: S. Ye, B. Ju, H. Wang, K-B. Lee. Bone morphogenetic protein-2 provokes interleukin-18-induced human intervertebral disc degeneration. Bone Joint Res 2016;5:412–418. DOI: 10.1302/2046-3758.59.BJR-2016-0032.R1

Aims. In order to evaluate the effectiveness of the Mobi-C implant in cervical disc degeneration, a randomised study was conducted, comparing the Mobi-C prosthesis arthroplasty with anterior cervical disc fusion (ACDF) in patients with single level cervical spondylosis. Patients and Methods. From January 2008 to July 2009, 99 patients were enrolled and randomly divided into two groups, those having a Mobi-C implant (n = 51; 30 men, 21 women) and those undergoing ACDF (n = 48; 28 men, 20 women).The patients were followed up for five years, with the primary outcomes being the Japanese Orthopaedic Association score, visual analogue scale for pain and the incidence of further surgery. The secondary outcomes were the Neck Disability Index and range of movement (ROM) of the treated segment. Results. The incidence of further surgery was found to be statistically significant between the two groups (p = 0.49), with seven ACDF patients requiring further surgery and only one Mobi-C patient requiring re-operation. There were significant differences (p < 0.001) between the two groups in the ROM of the treated segment. However, both Mobi-C surgery and ACDF surgery were effective in improving the patient’s clinical symptoms. Take home message: Mobi-C implant surgery is a safe alternative to ACDF surgery in cervical disc degeneration. Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2016;98-B:829–3

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. Methods. This was a radiological analysis of 2,387 participants who underwent L1-S1 MRI. Means and ranges were calculated for age, sex, BMI, and MRI measurements. Anteroposterior (AP) vertebral canal diameters were used to differentiate those with DSS from controls. Other imaging parameters included vertebral body dimensions, spinal canal dimensions, disc degeneration scores, and facet joint orientation. Mann-Whitney U and chi-squared tests were conducted to search for measurement differences between those with DSS and controls. In order to identify possible associations between DSS and MRI parameters, those who were statistically significant in the univariate binary logistic regression were included in a multivariate stepwise logistic regression after adjusting for demographics. Odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were reported where appropriate. Results. Axial AP vertebral canal diameter (p < 0.001), interpedicular distance (p < 0.001), AP dural sac diameter (p < 0.001), lamina angle (p < 0.001), and sagittal mid-vertebral body height (p < 0.001) were significantly different between those identified as having DSS and controls. Narrower interpedicular distance (OR 0.745 (95% CI 0.618 to 0.900); p = 0.002) and AP dural sac diameter (OR 0.506 (95% CI 0.400 to 0.641); p < 0.001) were associated with DSS. Lamina angle (OR 1.127 (95% CI 1.045 to 1.214); p = 0.002) and right facet joint angulation (OR 0.022 (95% CI 0.002 to 0.247); p = 0.002) were also associated with DSS. No association was observed between disc parameters and DSS. Conclusion. From this large-scale cohort, the canal size is found to be independent of body stature. Other than spinal canal dimensions, abnormal orientations of lamina angle and facet joint angulation may also be a result of developmental variations, leading to increased likelihood of DSS. Other skeletal parameters are spared. There was no relationship between DSS and soft tissue changes of the spinal column, which suggests that DSS is a unique result of bony maldevelopment. These findings require validation in other ethnicities and populations. Level of Evidence: I (diagnostic study). Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2021;103-B(4):725–733

Aims. Whether to perform hybrid surgery (HS) in contrast to anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF) when treating patients with multilevel cervical disc degeneration remains a controversial subject. To resolve this we have undertaken a meta-analysis comparing the outcomes from HS with ACDF in this condition. Methods. Seven databases were searched for studies of HS and ACDF from inception of the study to 1 September 2019. Both random-effects and fixed-effects models were used to evaluate the overall effect of the C2-C7 range of motion (ROM), ROM of superior/inferior adjacent levels, adjacent segment degeneration (ASD), heterotopic ossification (HO), complications, neck disability index (NDI) score, visual analogue scale (VAS) score, Japanese Orthopaedic Association (JOA) score, Odom’s criteria, blood loss, and operating and hospitalization time. To obtain more credible results contour-enhanced funnel plots, Egger’s and Begg’s tests, meta-regression, and sensitivity analyses were performed. Results. In total, 17 studies involving 861 patients were included in the analysis. HS was found to be superior to ACDF in maintaining C2-C7 ROM and ROM of superior/inferior adjacent levels, but HS did not reduce the incidence of associated level ASD. Also, HS did not cause a higher rate of HO than ACDF. The frequency of complications was similar between the two techniques. HS failed to achieve more favourable outcomes than ACDF using the NDI, VAS, JOA, and Odom’s scores. HS did not show any more advantages in operating or hospitalization time but did show reduction in blood loss. Conclusion. Although HS maintained cervical kinetics, it failed to reduce the incidence of ASD. This finding differs from previous reports. Moreover, patients did not show more benefits from HS with respect to symptom improvement, prevention of complications, and clinical outcomes. Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2020;102-B(8):981–996

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. Patients and Methods. This was a retrospective study of 235 consecutive patients who had undergone decompression-only surgery for lumbar spinal stenosis and had a minimum five-year follow-up. There were 106 female patients (45.1%) and 129 male patients (54.9%), with a mean age at surgery of 66.8 years (. sd. 11.3). We excluded those with adult deformity and spondylolisthesis. Presenting symptoms, levels operated on initially and at re-operation were studied. MRI measurements included the anteroposterior diameter of the bony spinal canal, the degree of disc degeneration, and the thickness of the ligamentum flavum. DSS was defined by comparative measurements of the bony spinal canal. Risk factors for re-operation at the adjacent level were determined and included in a multivariate stepwise logistic regression for prediction modelling. Odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals were calculated. Results. Of the 235 patients, 21.7% required re-operation at an adjacent segment. Re-operation at an adjacent segment was associated with DSS (p = 0.026), the number of levels decompressed (p = 0.008), and age at surgery (p = 0.013). Multivariate regression model (p < 0.001) controlled for other confounders showed that DSS was a significant predictor of re-operation at an adjacent segment, with an adjusted OR of 3.93. Conclusion. Patients with DSS who have undergone lumbar spinal decompression are 3.9 times more likely to undergo future surgery at an adjacent level. This is a poor prognostic indicator that can be identified prior to index decompression surgery

We have reviewed the cervical spine radiographs of 180 patients with athetoid cerebral palsy and compared them with those of 417 control subjects. Disc degeneration occurred earlier and progressed more rapidly in the patients, with advanced disc degeneration in 51%, eight times the frequency in normal subjects. At the C3/4 and C4/5 levels, there was listhetic instability in 17% and 27% of the patients, respectively, again six and eight times more frequently than in the control subjects. Angular instability was seen, particularly at the C3/4, C4/5 and C5/6 levels. We found a significantly higher incidence of narrowing of the cervical canal in the patients, notably at the C4 and C5 levels, where the average was 14.4 mm in the patients and 16.4 mm in normal subjects. The combination of disc degeneration and listhetic instability with a narrow canal predisposes these patients to relatively rapid progression to a devastating neurological deficit

Objectives. The aim of this study was to examine whether asymmetric loading influences macrophage elastase (MMP12) expression in different parts of a rat tail intervertebral disc and growth plate and if MMP12 expression is correlated with the severity of the deformity. Methods. A wedge deformity between the ninth and tenth tail vertebrae was produced with an Ilizarov-type mini external fixator in 45 female Wistar rats, matched for their age and weight. Three groups were created according to the degree of deformity (10°, 30° and 50°). A total of 30 discs and vertebrae were evaluated immunohistochemically for immunolocalisation of MMP12 expression, and 15 discs were analysed by western blot and zymography in order to detect pro- and active MMP12. Results. No MMP12 expression was detected in the nucleus pulposus. Expression of MMP12 in the annulus progressively increased from group I to groups II and III, mainly at the concave side. Many growth plate chondrocytes expressed MMP12 in the control group, less in group I and rare in groups II and III. Changes in cell phenotype and reduction of cell number were observed, together with disorganisation of matrix microstructure similar to disc degeneration. ProMMP12 was detected at the area of 54 kDa and active MMP12 at 22 kDa. Conclusions. Expression of MMP12 after application of asymmetric loading in a rat tail increased in the intervertebral disc but decreased in the growth plate and correlated with the degree of the deformity and the side of the wedged disc. Cite this article: Bone Joint Res 2014;3:273–9

We studied 52 patients, each with a lumbosacral transitional vertebra. Using MRI we found that the lumbar discs immediately above the transitional vertebra were significantly more degenerative and those between the transitional vertebrae and the sacrum were significantly less degenerative compared with discs at other levels. We also performed an anatomical study using 70 cadavers. We found that the iliolumbar ligament at the level immediately above the transitional vertebra was thinner and weaker than it was in cadavers without a lumbosacral transitional vertebra. Instability of the vertebral segment above the transitional vertebra because of a weak iliolumbar ligament could lead to subsequent disc degeneration which may occur earlier than at other disc levels. Some stability between the transitional vertebra and the sacrum could be preserved by the formation of either an articulation or by bony union between the vertebra and the sacrum through its transverse process. This may protect the disc from further degeneration in the long term

In our study, the aims were to describe the changes in the appearance of the lumbar spine on MRI in elite fast bowlers during a follow-up period of one year, and to determine whether these could be used to predict the presence of a stress fracture of the posterior elements. We recruited 28 elite fast bowlers with a mean age of 19 years (16 to 24) who were training and playing competitively at the start of the study. They underwent baseline MRI (season 1) and further scanning (season 2) after one year to assess the appearance of the lumbar intervertebral discs and posterior bony elements. The incidence of low back pain and the amount of playing and training time lost were also recorded. In total, 15 of the 28 participants (53.6%) showed signs of acute bone stress on either the season 1 or season 2 MR scans and there was a strong correlation between these findings and the later development of a stress fracture (p < 0.001). The prevalence of intervertebral disc degeneration was relatively low. There was no relationship between disc degeneration on the season 1 MR scans and subsequent stress fracture. Regular lumbar MR scans of asymptomatic elite fast bowlers may be of value in detecting early changes of bone stress and may allow prompt intervention aimed at preventing a stress fracture and avoiding prolonged absence from cricket

Although success has been achieved with implantation of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (bMSCs) in degenerative discs, its full potential may not be achieved if the harsh environment of the degenerative disc remains. Axial distraction has been shown to increase hydration and nutrition. Combining both therapies may have a synergistic effect in reversing degenerative disc disease. In order to evaluate the effect of bMSC implantation, axial distraction and combination therapy in stimulating regeneration and retarding degeneration in degenerative discs, we first induced disc degeneration by axial loading in a rabbit model. The rabbits in the intervention groups performed better with respect to disc height, morphological grading, histological scoring and average dead cell count. The groups with distraction performed better than those without on all criteria except the average dead cell count. Our findings suggest that bMSC implantation and distraction stimulate regenerative changes in degenerative discs in a rabbit model

Posterior fixation of intervertebral discs is used to treat, and occasionally diagnose, discogenic pain since it is thought that it will reduce the internal loading of the discs in vitro. We measured the internal loading of ten intervertebral discs using stress profilometry under simulated physiological loads and then after posterior fixation. Partial discectomies were performed to simulate advanced disc degeneration and the sequence repeated. Posterior fixation had very little effect on the magnitude of the loads acting on the disc and none when disc degeneration was simulated. It did, however, reduce bulging of the anterior annulus under combined bending and compression (p < 0.03). Recent experiments in vivo have shown that discogenic pain is associated with abnormal bulging of the annulus which suggests that the clinical benefit of fixation may be due to this

Our study establishes a rabbit model of disc degeneration which requires neither a chemical nor physical injury to the disc. Disc degeneration similar to that seen in man was created at levels proximal (L4-L5) and caudal (L7-S1) to a simulated lumbar fusion and was studied for up to nine months after arthrodesis. Loss of the normal parallel arrangement of collagen bundles within the annular lamellae was observed in intervertebral discs adjacent to the fusion at three months. By six months there was further disorganisation as well as loss of distinction between the lamellae themselves. By nine months the structure of the disc had been replaced by disorganised fibrous tissue, and annular tears were seen. There was an initial cellular proliferative response followed by loss of chondrocytes and notochordal cells in the nucleus pulposus. Degeneration was accompanied by a decrease in the monomer size of proteoglycans. Narrowing of the disc space, endplate sclerosis and the formation of osteophytes at adjacent disc spaces were observed radiologically

We studied degenerative changes in the cervical intervertebral discs of 497 asymptomatic subjects by MRI and evaluated disc degeneration by loss of signal intensity, posterior and anterior disc protrusion, narrowing of the disc space and foraminal stenosis. In each subject, five disc levels from C2–C3 to C6–C7 were evaluated. The frequency of all degenerative findings increased linearly with age. Disc degeneration was the most common observation, being present in 17% of discs of men and 12% of those of women in their twenties, and 86% and 89% of discs of both men and women over 60 years of age. We found significant differences in frequency between genders for posterior disc protrusion and foraminal stenosis. The former, with demonstrable compression of the spinal cord, was observed in 7.6% of subjects, mostly over 50 years of age. Our results should be taken into account when interpreting the MRI findings in patients with symptomatic disorders of the cervical spine

One of the interesting aspects of spinal pathology having an important bearing on the treatment of backache is that the spine acts as an integrated whole and that damage sustained by one part frequently injures other structures in the spinal column. Thus disc degeneration may be associated with an extrusion of nuclear material; it may initiate degenerative changes in the posterior joints; it may predispose to tears of the posterior spinal ligaments; or it may give rise eventually to all of these lesions, any one of which may produce backache with or without sciatica. The sciatica may be referred pain or may be produced by nerve root pressure. Nerve root pressure in such instances is commonly due to an extrusion of nuclear material, but it may also be due to pressure on the nerve root within the foramen by a "squashed" disc or by a subluxated posterior joint. Radiographs are of great value in the diagnosis of disc degeneration and they are of greater value in the assessment of the secondary effects that have taken place. With the use of bending films evidence of early degenerative changes may be obtained, tears of the supraspinous ligament can be detected, and abnormal movements of the posterior joints can be seen. Careful study of the antero-posterior and lateral projections will reveal evidence of subluxation of the posterior joints, chip fractures and degenerative arthritis in the zygapophysial articulations, and will clearly demonstrate overriding of the facets. The investigation of subjective phenomena, such as backache, is fraught with many difficulties and it must be preceded by an investigation of the anatomy of the part and the anatomical variations, the normal and abnormal physiology and the pathological lesions that occur. Many of these changes of course may have no clinical significance, but it is only when armed with the knowledge of what may occur that we can tackle the problem of low back pain on a logical basis

1. Primary lumbar vertebral instability or "pseudo-spondylolisthesis" varies from about 3 millimetres to 1·7 centimetres, and is perhaps the commonest radiological sign associated with lumbo-sacral pain after the third decade of life. It was observed in 28·6 per cent of 500 consecutive cases of lumbo-sacral pain. The next commonest cause is gross disc degeneration, which is a late result of instability. 2. The secondary instability that may accompany a nuclear prolapse or osteoarthritis is excluded from this discussion. 3. This lumbar instability is an early sign of "incipient disc degeneration," occurring before narrowing of the disc space, sclerosis of the epiphysial rings, or osteophyte formation becomes evident. The instability in the lower lumbar region is caused by incomplete radial posterior tears, usually between the fourth and fifth lumbar vertebrae; and in the upper lumbar region from anterior concentric fissures or slits between some of the lamellae of the annulus fibrosus. 4. As shown radiologically, lumbar instability is commonest between L.4-5 and is rare between L.5 and sacrum because the facets between L.5-S.1 normally face forwards and backwards and thus resist anterior sliding. 5. The usual direction of antero-posterior sliding in the case of the upper four lumbar vertebrae is posterior—that is, the upper vertebra is displaced backwards on the one immediately below it during full extension in the erect position. The displacement tends to disappear on forced flexion, which may cause anterior displacement. On the other hand, the reverse displacement may exist between the fifth lumbar vertebra and the sacrum. 6. Operative treatment by bone grafting is a last resort in carefully selected individuals. After operation the patient rests in bed for three months without rigid splinting. Bone grafting is best for a localised lesion (affecting only one disc); it is generally not advisable if more than two discs are involved. 7. The results in thirty patients treated by spinal fusions showed that 70 per cent had no pain and resumed work, l3·3 per cent had improvement and resumed work, and l6·7 per cent were worse or no better

Aims

People with severe, persistent low back pain (LBP) may be offered lumbar spine fusion surgery if they have had insufficient benefit from recommended non-surgical treatments. However, National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) 2016 guidelines recommended not offering spinal fusion surgery for adults with LBP, except as part of a randomized clinical trial. This survey aims to describe UK clinicians’ views about the suitability of patients for such a future trial, along with their views regarding equipoise for randomizing patients in a future clinical trial comparing lumbar spine fusion surgery to best conservative care (BCC; the FORENSIC-UK trial).

Aims

The aims of this study were first, to determine if adding fusion to a decompression of the lumbar spine for spinal stenosis decreases the rate of radiological restenosis and/or proximal adjacent level stenosis two years after surgery, and second, to evaluate the change in vertebral slip two years after surgery with and without fusion.

Aims

CRP is an acute-phase protein that is used as a biomarker to follow severity and progression in infectious and inflammatory diseases. Its pathophysiological mechanisms of action are still poorly defined. CRP in its pentameric form exhibits weak anti-inflammatory activity. The monomeric isoform (mCRP) exerts potent proinflammatory properties in chondrocytes, endothelial cells, and leucocytes. No data exist regarding mCRP effects in human intervertebral disc (IVD) cells. This work aimed to verify the pathophysiological relevance of mCRP in the aetiology and/or progression of IVD degeneration.

Aims

Lumbar spinal stenosis (LSS) is a common skeletal system disease that has been partly attributed to genetic variation. However, the correlation between genetic variation and pathological changes in LSS is insufficient, and it is difficult to provide a reference for the early diagnosis and treatment of the disease.

Aims

Degenerative cervical spondylosis (DCS) is a common musculoskeletal disease that encompasses a wide range of progressive degenerative changes and affects all components of the cervical spine. DCS imposes very large social and economic burdens. However, its genetic basis remains elusive.

Cite this article: Bone Joint Res 2023;12(3):199–201.

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.

Disc degeneration starts as an avascular necrosis. In the lower lumbar area the discs deteriorate early because of mechanical stresses. During certain early periods of degenerative changes a mechanical disorder between the annulus and the posterior longitudinal ligament may cause tiredness and pain. When the disc is completely degenerated and has lost its physical properties backache disappears

A method of posterior lumbo-sacral fusion is described in which springs are used to fix the grafts and to maintain immobilisation. Fifty patients with lumbar disc degeneration or spondylolisthesis have been reviewed. The results have been assessed clinically by grading the symptoms before and after operation. Stay in hospital has been short and return to work rapid. There has been a high proportion of good results

Aims

The aim of this study was to compare outcomes after growth-friendly treatment for early-onset scoliosis (EOS) between patients with skeletal dysplasias versus those with other syndromes.

The development of the iliolumbar ligament and its anatomy and histology were studied in cadavers from the newborn to the ninth decade. The structure was entirely muscular in the newborn and became ligamentous only from the second decade, being formed by metaplasia from fibres of the quadratus lumborum muscle. By the third decade, the definitive ligament was well formed; degenerative changes were noted in older specimens. The iliolumbar ligament may have an important role in maintaining lumbosacral stability in patients with lumbar disc degeneration, degenerative spondylolisthesis and pelvic obliquity secondary to neuromuscular scoliosis

Aims

To identify the incidence and risk factors for five-year same-site recurrent disc herniation (sRDH) after primary single-level lumbar discectomy. Secondary outcome was the incidence and risk factors for five-year sRDH reoperation.

The spinal stenosis syndrome is a potential hazard when congenital or developmental narrowing of the bony canal, particularly in its lateral recesses where it can be demonstrated by axial tomography, places the emergent nerve root and its blood supply at risk to further small compressive elements. When lumbar disc degeneration allows rotatory and lateral instability, posterolateral bulging of the annulus fibrosus into the root canal occurs when weight is taken on the ipsilateral lower limb. Symptoms of the spinal stenosis syndrome do not arise until the development of this instability. To relieve the symptoms, the nerve root must be freely mobilised and decompressed by full lateral decompression, with partial or total facetectomy if necessary, by enucleation of the intervertebral disc and by removal of the posterolateral portions of the annuli fibrosi

Between January 1990 and December 2000 we carried out 226 SB Charité III disc replacements for lumbar disc degeneration in 160 patients. They were reviewed at a mean follow-up of 79 months (31 to 161) to determine the clinical and radiological outcome. The clinical results were collected by an independent observer, who was not involved in patient selection, treatment or follow-up, using a combination of outcome measures, including the Oswestry Disability Index. Pain was recorded using a visual analogue score, and the most recent radiographs were reviewed. Survival of the device was analysed by the Kaplan-Meier method and showed a cumulative survival of 35% at 156 months when radiological failure was taken as the endpoint. The mean improvement in the Oswestry disability index scores after disc replacement was 14% (6% to 21%) and the mean improvement in the pain score was 1.6 (0.46 to 2.73), both falling below the clinically significant threshold. Removal of the implant was required in 12 patients, four because of implant failure. These poor results indicate that further use of this implant is not justified

We have studied the intervertebral discs adjacent to fractured vertebral bodies using MRI in 63 patients at a minimum of 18 months after injury. There were 75 thoracolumbar fractures of which 26 were treated conservatively and 37 by posterior reduction and fusion with an AO internal fixator. We identified six different types of disc using criteria based on the morphology and the intensity of the MRI signal. The inter- and intraobserver variability of this system was good. Most of the discs showed predominantly morphological changes with no variation in signal intensity. Some disc types were associated with progressive kyphosis in patients treated conservatively. In those managed by operation, recurrent kyphosis appeared to result from creeping of the disc in the central depression of the bony endplate rather than from disc degeneration. Changes in the disc space after posterior fixation should not be seen as a form of chronic instability but as a redistribution of the disc tissue in the changed morphology of the space after fractures of the endplate

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the spine produces images which reflect the chemical composition of the intervertebral disc. We have conducted a prospective study of the serial changes in the MRI appearance of the intervertebral disc after chemonucleolysis with the enzyme chymopapain. Fourteen patients were studied after single-level chemonucleolysis and the results compared with a control group of 17 discs in six patients who had diagnostic discography without enzyme insertion. A consistent pattern of gradual loss of signal from the nucleus pulposus culminating in complete loss of nuclear signal was seen in all cases after chemonucleolysis. Chymopapain therefore produced MRI changes analogous with premature gross disc degeneration. The rate at which this occurred varied; complete loss of signal took at least six weeks. Transitory minor end-plate changes were present in five patients, probably representing a mild chemical discitis. No similar changes were seen in the discography group

Two collagen type IX gene polymorphisms that introduce a tryptophan residue into the protein’s triple-helical domain have been linked to an increased risk of lumbar disc disease. To determine whether a particular subset of symptomatic lumbar disease is specifically associated with these polymorphisms, we performed a prospective case-control study of 107 patients who underwent surgery of the lumbar spine. Patients were assigned to one of five clinical categories (fracture, disc degeneration, disc herniation, spinal stenosis without spondylolisthesis and spinal stenosis with spondylolisthesis) based on history, imaging results, and findings during surgery. Of the 11 tryptophan-positive patients, eight had spinal stenosis with spondylolisthesis and three had disc herniation. The presence of the tryptophan allele was significantly associated with African-American or Asian designation for race (odds ratio 4.61, 95% CI 0.63 to 25.35) and with the diagnosis of spinal stenosis with spondylolisthesis (odds ratio 6.81, 95% CI 1.47 to 41.95). Our findings indicate that tryptophan polymorphisms predispose carriers to the development of symptomatic spinal stenosis associated with spondylolisthesis which requires surgery

1. One hundred and twenty cervical spines removed at routine necropsy from elderly patients dying in a general hospital have been examined. 2. There was some degree of degeneration of intervertebral discs in 110 cases–in forty-six this was severe. 3. Degenerative disc disease was found at an earlier age in men; mild damage preceded severe degeneration and collapse by about a decade. 4. Discs of the lower spine were most frequently and most severely affected. 5. Alterations of the normal cervical lordosis were produced by disc disease in thirty-two cases. 6. Osteoarthritis of the apophysial joints was found in seventy-eight, and by contrast to disc degeneration was commonest in the mid-cervical and upper cervical regions. In eighteen it was severe. 7. Degeneration and scarring of nerve roots was frequently associated with diseased discs; apophysial joint arthritis was found to be an important additional factor when it occurred in the lower cervical region. 8. No nerve root changes could be attributed to ischaemia resulting from narrowing or distortion of the vertebral arteries. 9. Cystic arachnoidal diverticula which excavate the posterior root ganglia were found in thirty-six cases

The fourth lumbar vertebrae and L4-5 discs from six cadaveric lumbar spines were subjected to detailed strain gauge analysis under conditions of controlled loading. With central compression loads, maximal compressive strain was found to occur near the bases of the pedicles and on both superficial and deep surfaces of the pars interarticularis, which emphasises the importance of the posterior elements of lumbar vertebrae in transmitting load. Radial bulge and tangential strain of the disc wall were maximal at the posterolateral surface, in agreement with the fact that disc degeneration and prolapse commonly occur there. Under posterior offset loads simulating extension, both compressive and tensile strains were found to be increased on both surfaces of the pars interarticularis, which suggests that hyperextension may lead to stress fractures and spondylolisthesis. Posterior offset loads also increased the radial bulge of the posterior disc wall and tangential strain at the anterior surface of the disc. Anterior offset loads simulating flexion increased the radial bulge of the anterior disc wall and tangential strain at the posterior surface of the disc. These findings are compatible with movement of the nucleus pulposus within the disc during flexion and extension. This hypothesis was supported by post-mortem discography

Aims

Interleukin (IL)-1β is one of the major pathogenic regulators during the pathological development of intervertebral disc degeneration (IDD). However, effective treatment options for IDD are limited. Suramin is used to treat African sleeping sickness. This study aimed to investigate the pharmacological effects of suramin on mitigating IDD and to characterize the underlying mechanism.

Aims

To study the associations of lumbar developmental spinal stenosis (DSS) with low back pain (LBP), radicular leg pain, and disability.

We analysed prospectively 26 patients who had revision operations for ipsilateral recurrent radicular pain after a period of pain relief of more than six months following primary discectomy. They were assessed before the initial operation, between the two procedures and at a minimum of two years after reoperation. MRI was performed before primary discectomy and reoperation. Fifty consecutive patients who had a disc excision during the study period but did not have recurrent radicular pain, were analysed as a control group. Of the study group 42% related the onset of recurrent radicular pain to an isolated injury or a precipitating event, but none of the control group did so (p < 0.001). T2-weighted MRI performed before primary discectomy showed that patients in the study group had significantly more severe disc degeneration compared with the control group (p = 0.02). Intraoperative findings revealed recurrent disc herniation in 24 patients and bulging of the disc in two, one of whom also had lateral stenosis. Epidural scarring was found to be abundant, intraoperatively and on MRI, in eight and in nine patients, respectively. At the last follow-up, the clinical outcome was satisfactory in 85% of patients in the study group and in 88% of the control group (p > 0.05). Work or daily activities had been resumed at the same level as before the onset of symptoms by 81% of the patients in the study group and 84% of the control group. No correlation was found between the amount of epidural fibrosis, as seen intraoperatively and on MRI, and the result of surgery. The recurrence of radicular pain caused no significant changes in the psychological profile compared with the assessment before the primary discectomy

1. A review of 204 cases of prolapsed intervertebral disc treated by the author by operation ten to twenty-five years before is presented. Injury was an etiological factor in only 14 per cent. 2. The decision to operate should be made after a clearly defined and controlled, but limited, period of closed treatment. The patients should not have to wait for operation. Treatment by closed methods should not be continued in the absence of detectable signs of improvement. Continuation under such circumstances delays recovery from paralysis, prolongs convalescence and delays return to work. Persistence of paraesthesia and numbness are other probable consequences of such delay. 3. A central disc prolapse is an indication for urgent operation if persistent sphincter disturbance or incomplete bladder evacuation is to be avoided. 4. A recurrence rate of sciatica less frequent than that associated with treatment by closed methods is noted in this and other reported series. True recurrence, as opposed to a prolapse at another level, is rare and is most probably due to continuation of the biochemical process of degeneration leading to further sequestration of disc tissue. On the other hand, the altered spinal mechanics, particularly local rigidity resulting from enucleation of a deranged intervertebral disc, may predispose to prolapse at a higher level or may themselves be the cause of symptoms of "recurrence". 5. Operation gives early and lasting relief of sciatic pain, reduces the need for the subsequent use of a corset and assists the patient to an early return to work. 6. Operation does not affect the decision to change work. This is decided by the length of history before operation and the amount of disc degeneration; and the need to change work is the same whether the patient is treated by closed means or by operation. 7. Apart from simple back raising exercises to strengthen the spinal extensor muscles, no physiotherapy need be given because it is not likely to improve the prognosis. 8. Backache is the most frequent disability after operation (17 per cent) and is related to the degree of degenerative change present before and after operation. Injury precipitated the onset of backache in three cases. Operation does not by itself produce backache. The amount of bone removed has no demonstrable effect on the late results of operation, nor on the subsequent development of degenerative changes. 9. Enucleation of the nucleus is not followed by fibrous ankylosis across the intervertebral space

Aims

To determine the effectiveness of prone traction radiographs in predicting postoperative slip distance, slip angle, changes in disc height, and lordosis after surgery for degenerative spondylolisthesis of the lumbar spine.

Aims

Although lumbosacral transitional vertebrae (LSTV) are well-documented, few large-scale studies have investigated thoracolumbar transitional vertebrae (TLTV) and spinal numerical variants. This study sought to establish the prevalence of numerical variants and to evaluate their relationship with clinical problems.

Aims

The aim of this study was to use diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) to investigate changes in diffusion metrics in patients with cervical spondylotic myelopathy (CSM) up to five years after decompressive surgery. We correlated these changes with clinical outcomes as scored by the Modified Japanese Orthopedic Association (mJOA) method, Neck Disability Index (NDI), and Visual Analogue Scale (VAS).

Aims

Inflammatory response plays a pivotal role in the pathophysiological process of intervertebral disc degeneration (IDD). A20 (also known as tumour necrosis factor alpha-induced protein 3 (TNFAIP3)) is a ubiquitin-editing enzyme that restricts nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB) signalling. A20 prevents the occurrence of multiple inflammatory diseases. However, the role of A20 in the initiation of IDD has not been elucidated. The aim of the study was to investigate the effect of A20 in senescence of TNF alpha (TNF-α)-induced nucleus pulposus cells (NPCs).

Aims

Significant correction of an adolescent idiopathic scoliosis in the coronal plane through a posterior approach is associated with hypokyphosis. Factors such as the magnitude of the preoperative coronal curve, the use of hooks, number of levels fused, preoperative kyphosis, screw density, and rod type have all been implicated. Maintaining the normal thoracic kyphosis is important as hypokyphosis is associated with proximal junctional failure (PJF) and early onset degeneration of the spine. The aim of this study was to determine if coronal correction per se was the most relevant factor in generating hypokyphosis.

Aims

During revision procedures for aseptic reasons, there remains a suspicion that failure may have been the result of an undetected subclinical infection. However, there is little evidence available in the literature about unexpected positive results in presumed aseptic revision spine surgery. The aims of our study were to estimate the prevalence of unexpected positive culture using sonication and to evaluate clinical characteristics of these patients.

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.

Aims

The aim of this study was to investigate the clinical and radiographic outcomes of microendoscopic laminotomy in patients with lumbar stenosis and concurrent degenerative spondylolisthesis (DS), and to determine the effect of this procedure on spinal stability.

Objectives

Degenerative disc disease (DDD) and osteoarthritis (OA) are relatively frequent causes of disability amongst the elderly; they constitute serious socioeconomic costs and significantly impair quality of life. Previous studies to date have found that aggrecan variable number of tandem repeats (VNTR) contributes both to DDD and OA. However, current data are not consistent across studies. The purpose of this study was to evaluate systematically the relationship between aggrecan VNTR, and DDD and/or OA.

Mesenchymal stem-cell based therapies have been proposed as novel treatments for intervertebral disc degeneration, a prevalent and disabling condition associated with back pain. The development of these treatment strategies, however, has been hindered by the incomplete understanding of the human nucleus pulposus phenotype and by an inaccurate interpretation and translation of animal to human research. This review summarises recent work characterising the nucleus pulposus phenotype in different animal models and in humans and integrates their findings with the anatomical and physiological differences between these species. Understanding this phenotype is paramount to guarantee that implanted cells restore the native functions of the intervertebral disc.

Cite this article: Bone Joint Res 2013;2:169–78.

Whiplash injury is surrounded by controversy in both the medical and legal world. The debate on whether it is either a potentially serious medical condition or a social problem is ongoing. This paper briefly examines a selection of studies on low velocity whiplash injury (LVWI) and whiplash associated disorder (WAD) and touches upon the pathophysiological and epidemiological considerations, cultural and geographical differences and the effect of litigation on chronicity. The study concludes that the evidence for significant physical injury after LVWI is poor, and if significant disability is present after such injury, it will have to be explained in terms of psychosocial factors.

We conducted a prospective follow-up MRI study of originally asymptomatic healthy subjects to clarify the development of Modic changes in the cervical spine over a ten-year period and to identify related factors. Previously, 497 asymptomatic healthy volunteers with no history of cervical trauma or surgery underwent MRI. Of these, 223 underwent a second MRI at a mean follow-up of 11.6 years (10 to 12.7). These 223 subjects comprised 133 men and 100 women with a mean age at second MRI of 50.5 years (23 to 83). Modic changes were classified as not present and types 1 to 3. Changes in Modic types over time and relationships between Modic changes and progression of degeneration of the disc or clinical symptoms were evaluated. A total of 31 subjects (13.9%) showed Modic changes at follow-up: type 1 in nine, type 2 in 18, type 3 in two, and types 1 and 2 in two. Modic changes at follow-up were significantly associated with numbness or pain in the arm, but not with neck pain or shoulder stiffness. Age (≥ 40 years), gender (male), and pre-existing disc degeneration were significantly associated with newly developed Modic changes.

In the cervical spine over a ten-year period, type 2 Modic changes developed most frequently. Newly developed Modic changes were significantly associated with age, gender, and pre-existing disc degeneration.

The June 2012 Spine Roundup³⁶⁰ looks at: back pain; spinal fusion for tuberculosis; anatomical course of the recurrent laryngeal nerve; groin pain with normal imaging; the herniated intervertebral disc; obesity’s effect on the spine; the medicolegal risks of cauda equina syndrome; and intravenous lidocaine use and failed back surgery syndrome.

It has been proposed that intervertebral disc degeneration might be caused by low-grade infection. The purpose of the present study was to assess the incidence of herpes viruses in intervertebral disc specimens from patients with lumbar disc herniation. A polymerase chain reaction based assay was applied to screen for the DNA of eight different herpes viruses in 16 patients and two controls. DNA of at least one herpes virus was detected in 13 specimens (81.25%). Herpes Simplex Virus type-1 (HSV-1) was the most frequently detected virus (56.25%), followed by Cytomegalovirus (CMV) (37.5%). In two patients, co-infection by both HSV-1 and CMV was detected. All samples, including the control specimens, were negative for Herpes Simplex Virus type-2, Varicella Zoster Virus, Epstein Barr Virus, Human Herpes Viruses 6, 7 and 8. The absence of an acute infection was confirmed both at the serological and mRNA level.

To our knowledge this is the first unequivocal evidence of the presence of herpes virus DNA in intervertebral disc specimens of patients with lumbar disc herniation suggesting the potential role of herpes viruses as a contributing factor to the pathogenesis of degenerative disc disease.

This article reviews the current knowledge of the intervertebral disc (IVD) and its association with low back pain (LBP). The normal IVD is a largely avascular and aneural structure with a high water content, its nutrients mainly diffusing through the end plates. IVD degeneration occurs when its cells die or become dysfunctional, notably in an acidic environment. In the process of degeneration, the IVD becomes dehydrated and vascularised, and there is an ingrowth of nerves. Although not universally the case, the altered physiology of the IVD is believed to precede or be associated with many clinical symptoms or conditions including low back and/or lower limb pain, paraesthesia, spinal stenosis and disc herniation.

New treatment options have been developed in recent years. These include biological therapies and novel surgical techniques (such as total disc replacement), although many of these are still in their experimental phase. Central to developing further methods of treatment is the need for effective ways in which to assess patients and measure their outcomes. However, significant difficulties remain and it is therefore an appropriate time to be further investigating the scientific basis of and treatment of LBP.

Adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) is a complex 3D deformity of the spine. Its prevalence is between 2% and 3% in the general population, with almost 10% of patients requiring some form of treatment and up to 0.1% undergoing surgery. The cosmetic aspect of the deformity is the biggest concern to the patient and is often accompanied by psychosocial distress. In addition, severe curves can cause cardiopulmonary distress. With proven benefits from surgery, the aims of treatment are to improve the cosmetic and functional outcomes. Obtaining correction in the coronal plane is not the only important endpoint anymore. With better understanding of spinal biomechanics and the long-term effects of multiplanar imbalance, we now know that sagittal balance is equally, if not more, important. Better correction of deformities has also been facilitated by an improvement in the design of implants and a better understanding of metallurgy. Understanding the unique character of each deformity is important. In addition, using the most appropriate implant and applying all the principles of correction in a bespoke manner is important to achieve optimum correction.

In this article, we review the current concepts in AIS surgery.

Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2018;100-B:415–24.

Aims

Cervical spondylosis is often accompanied by dizziness. It has recently been shown that the ingrowth of Ruffini corpuscles into diseased cervical discs may be related to cervicogenic dizziness. In order to evaluate whether cervicogenic dizziness stems from the diseased cervical disc, we performed a prospective cohort study to assess the effectiveness of anterior cervical discectomy and fusion on the relief of dizziness.

Low back injuries account for the greatest loss of playing time for professional fast bowlers in cricket. Previous radiological studies have shown a high prevalence of degeneration of the lumbar discs and stress injuries of the pars interarticularis in elite junior fast bowlers. We have examined MRI appearance of the lumbar spines of 36 asymptomatic professional fast bowlers and 17 active control subjects. The fast bowlers had a relatively high prevalence of multi-level degeneration of the lumbar discs and a unique pattern of stress lesions of the pars interarticularis on the non-dominant side. The systems which have been used to classify the MR appearance of the lumbar discs and pars were found to be reliable. However, the relationship between the radiological findings, pain and dysfunction remains unclear.

Cervical spinal disc replacement is used in the management of degenerative cervical disc disease in an attempt to preserve cervical spinal movement and to prevent adjacent disc overload and subsequent degeneration. A large number of patients have undergone cervical spinal disc replacement, but the effectiveness of these implants is still uncertain. In most instances, degenerative change at adjacent levels represents the physiological progression of the natural history of the arthritic disc, and is unrelated to the surgeon. Complications of cervical disc replacement include loss of movement from periprosthetic ankylosis and ossification, neurological deficit, loosening and failure of the device, and worsening of any cervical kyphosis. Strict selection criteria and adherence to scientific evidence are necessary. Only prospective, randomised clinical trials with long-term follow-up will establish any real advantage of cervical spinal disc replacement over fusion.

We evaluated the impact of lumbar instrumented circumferential fusion on the development of adjacent level vertebral compression fractures (VCFs). Instrumented posterior lumbar interbody fusion (PLIF) has become a popular procedure for degenerative lumbar spine disease. The immediate rigidity produced by PLIF may cause more stress and lead to greater risk of adjacent VCFs. However, few studies have investigated the relationship between PLIF and the development of subsequent adjacent level VCFs.

Between January 2005 and December 2009, a total of 1936 patients were enrolled. Of these 224 patients had a new VCF and the incidence was statistically analysed with other covariants. In total 150 (11.1%) of 1348 patients developed new VCFs with PLIF, with 108 (72%) cases at adjacent segment. Of 588 patients, 74 (12.5%) developed new subsequent VCFs with conventional posterolateral fusion (PLF), with 37 (50%) patients at an adjacent level. Short-segment fusion, female and age older than 65 years also increased the development of new adjacent VCFs in patients undergoing PLIF. In the osteoporotic patient, more rigid fusion and a higher stress gradient after PLIF will cause a higher adjacent VCF rate.

Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2015;97-B:1411–16.

Aims

The aim of this study was to determine whether the sequential application of povidone iodine-alcohol (PVI) followed by chlorhexidine gluconate-alcohol (CHG) would reduce surgical wound contamination to a greater extent than PVI applied twice in patients undergoing spinal surgery.

We examined the reliability of radiological findings in predicting segmental instability in 112 patients (56 men, 56 women) with a mean age of 66.5 years (27 to 84) who had degenerative disease of the lumbar spine. They underwent intra-operative biomechanical evaluation using a new measurement system. Biomechanical instability was defined as a segment with a neutral zone > 2 mm/N. Risk factor analysis to predict instability was performed on radiographs (range of segmental movement, disc height), MRI (Thompson grade, Modic type), and on the axial CT appearance of the facet (type, opening, vacuum and the presence of osteophytes, subchondral erosion, cysts and sclerosis) using multivariate logistic regression analysis with a forward stepwise procedure. The facet type was classified as sagittally orientated, coronally orientated, anisotropic or wrapped.

Stepwise multivariate regression analysis revealed that facet opening was the strongest predictor for instability (odds ratio 5.022, p = 0.009) followed by spondylolisthesis, MRI grade and subchondral sclerosis. Forward stepwise multivariate logistic regression indicated that spondylolisthesis, MRI grade, facet opening and subchondral sclerosis of the facet were risk factors. Symptoms evaluated by the Short-Form 36 and visual analogue scale showed that patients with an unstable segment were in significantly more pain than those without. Furthermore, the surgical procedures determined using the intra-operative measurement system were effective, suggesting that segmental instability influences the symptoms of lumbar degenerative disease.

Back pain is a common symptom in children and adolescents. Here we review the important causes, of which defects and stress reactions of the pars interarticularis are the most common identifiable problems. More serious pathology, including malignancy and infection, needs to be excluded when there is associated systemic illness. Clinical evaluation and management may be difficult and always requires a thorough history and physical examination. Diagnostic imaging is obtained when symptoms are persistent or severe. Imaging is used to reassure the patient, relatives and carers, and to guide management.

Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2014;96-B:717–23.

Aims

There is a paucity of information on the pre-operative coronal imbalance in patients with degenerative lumbar scoliosis (DLS) and its influence on surgical outcomes.

The belief that an intervertebral disc must degenerate before it can herniate has clinical and medicolegal significance, but lacks scientific validity. We hypothesised that tissue changes in herniated discs differ from those in discs that degenerate without herniation. Tissues were obtained at surgery from 21 herniated discs and 11 non-herniated discs of similar degeneration as assessed by the Pfirrmann grade. Thin sections were graded histologically, and certain features were quantified using immunofluorescence combined with confocal microscopy and image analysis. Herniated and degenerated tissues were compared separately for each tissue type: nucleus, inner annulus and outer annulus.

Herniated tissues showed significantly greater proteoglycan loss (outer annulus), neovascularisation (annulus), innervation (annulus), cellularity/inflammation (annulus) and expression of matrix-degrading enzymes (inner annulus) than degenerated discs. No significant differences were seen in the nucleus tissue from herniated and degenerated discs. Degenerative changes start in the nucleus, so it seems unlikely that advanced degeneration caused herniation in 21 of these 32 discs. On the contrary, specific changes in the annulus can be interpreted as the consequences of herniation, when disruption allows local swelling, proteoglycan loss, and the ingrowth of blood vessels, nerves and inflammatory cells.

In conclusion, it should not be assumed that degenerative changes always precede disc herniation.

Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2013;95-B:1127–33.

Wrong-level surgery is a unique pitfall in spinal surgery and is part of the wider field of wrong-site surgery. Wrong-site surgery affects both patients and surgeons and has received much media attention. We performed this systematic review to determine the incidence and prevalence of wrong-level procedures in spinal surgery and to identify effective prevention strategies. We retrieved 12 studies reporting the incidence or prevalence of wrong-site surgery and that provided information about prevention strategies. Of these, ten studies were performed on patients undergoing lumbar spine surgery and two on patients undergoing lumbar, thoracic or cervical spine procedures. A higher frequency of wrong-level surgery in lumbar procedures than in cervical procedures was found. Only one study assessed preventative strategies for wrong-site surgery, demonstrating that current site-verification protocols did not prevent about one-third of the cases. The current literature does not provide a definitive estimate of the occurrence of wrong-site spinal surgery, and there is no published evidence to support the effectiveness of site-verification protocols. Further prevention strategies need to be developed to reduce the risk of wrong-site surgery.

Methods

In this study of patients who underwent internal fixation without fusion for a burst thoracolumbar or lumbar fracture, we compared the serial changes in the injured disc height (DH), and the fractured vertebral body height (VBH) and kyphotic angle between patients in whom the implants were removed and those in whom they were not. Radiological parameters such as injured DH, fractured VBH and kyphotic angle were measured. Functional outcomes were evaluated using the Greenough low back outcome scale and a VAS scale for pain.

Recurrence of back or leg pain after discectomy is a well-recognised problem with an incidence of up to 28%. Once conservative measures have failed, several surgical options are available and have been tried with varying degrees of success. In this study, 42 patients with recurrent symptoms after discectomy underwent less invasive posterior lumbar interbody fusion (LI-PLIF). Clinical outcome was measured using the Oswestry Disability Index (ODI), Short Form 36 (SF-36) questionnaires and visual analogue scales for back (VAS-BP) and leg pain (VAS-LP). There was a statistically significant improvement in all outcome measures (p < 0.001). The debate around which procedure is the most effective for these patients remains controversial.

Our results show that LI-PLIF is as effective as any other surgical procedure. However, given that it is less invasive, we feel that it should be considered as the preferred option.

Aims

We reviewed 34 consecutive patients (18 female-16 male) with isthmic spondylolysis and grade I to II lumbosacral spondylolisthesis who underwent in situ posterolateral arthodesis between the L5 transverse processes and the sacral ala with the use of iliac crest autograft. Ten patients had an associated scoliosis which required surgical correction at a later stage only in two patients with idiopathic curves unrelated to the spondylolisthesis.

To clarify the pathomechanisms of discogenic low back pain, the sympathetic afferent discharge originating from the L5-L6 disc via the L2 root were investigated neurophysiologically in 31 Lewis rats. Sympathetic afferent units were recorded from the L2 root connected to the lumbar sympathetic trunk by rami communicantes. The L5-L6 discs were mechanically probed, stimulated electrically to evoke action potentials and, finally, treated with chemicals to produce an inflammatory reaction. We could not obtain a response from any units in the L5-L6 discs using mechanical stimulation, but with electrical stimulation we identified 42 units consisting mostly of A-delta fibres. In some experiments a response to mechanical probing of the L5-L6 disc was recognised after producing an inflammatory reaction. This study suggests that mechanical stimulation of the lumbar discs may not always produce pain, whereas inflammatory changes may cause the disc to become sensitive to mechanical stimuli, resulting in nociceptive information being transmitted as discogenic low back pain to the spinal cord through the lumbar sympathetic trunk. This may partly explain the variation in human symptoms of degenerate discs.

The October 2013 Research Roundup³⁶⁰ looks at: Orthopaedics: a dangerous profession?; Freezing and biomarkers for bone turnover; Herniation or degeneration first?; MARS MRI and metallosis; Programmed cell death in partial thickness cuff tears; Lead glasses for trauma surgery?; Smoking inhibits bone healing; Optimising polyethylene microstructure.

Posterior lumbar interbody fusion (PLIF) is indicated for many patients with pain and/or instability of the lumbar spine. We performed 36 PLIF procedures using the patient’s lumbar spinous process and laminae, which were inserted as a bone graft between two vertebral bodies without using a cage. The mean lumbar lordosis and mean disc height to vertebral body ratio were restored and preserved after surgery. There were no serious complications.

These results suggest that this procedure is safe and effective.

Patients with Bertolotti’s syndrome have characteristic lumbosacral anomalies and often have severe sciatica. We describe a patient with this syndrome in whom standard decompression of the affected nerve root failed, but endoscopic lumbosacral extraforaminal decompression relieved the symptoms.

We suggest that the intractable sciatica in this syndrome could arise from impingement of the nerve root extraforaminally by compression caused by the enlarged transverse process.