Spine

Gatchel, Robert J.; Lurie, Jon D.; Mayer, Tom G.

Spine. 35(19):1739-1743, September 1, 2010.

doi: 10.1097/BRS.0b013e3181d3cfc9

Illien-Jünger, Svenja; Gantenbein-Ritter, Benjamin; Grad, Sibylle; Lezuo, Patrick; Ferguson, Stephen J.; Alini, Mauro; Ito, Keita

Spine. 35(19):1744-1752, September 1, 2010.

doi: 10.1097/BRS.0b013e3181c48019

Effects of high-frequency load and limited nutrition on whole disc organ explants were investigated after 7 days. Cell viability decreased under both culture conditions and declined even further combining both parameters. For the latter, an increase in MMP13 was also observed. None of the culture conditions affected cell metabolism.

Abstract:

Kim, K. Han; Choe, Su Bang; Haig, Andrew J.; Martin, Bernard J.

Spine. 35(19):1753-1759, September 1, 2010.

doi: 10.1097/BRS.0b013e3181cb4769

Torso movement patterns affected by spinal cord injury or low back pain were statistically modeled and quantified on seated participants performing manual load transport tasks. The adaptation in movement strategies reflects their attempts to compensate for impaired balance control (spinal cord injury) and minimize movement-induced pain (low back pain).

Abstract:

Ong, Kevin L.; Villarraga, Marta L.; Lau, Edmund; Carreon, Leah Y.; Kurtz, Steven M.; Glassman, Steven D.

Spine. 35(19):1794-1800, September 1, 2010.

doi: 10.1097/BRS.0b013e3181ecf6e4

The national prevalence of bone morphogenetic proteins (BMP) usage was evaluated using the Nationwide Inpatient Sample. Between 2003 and 2007, the annual number of procedures involving BMP increased by 4.3-fold from 23,900 to 103,194. The predominant use of BMP was in primary posterior lumbar interbody fusion or transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (30.0%). At least 85% of BMP usage was off-label.

Abstract:

Carreon, Leah Y.; Glassman, Steven D.; Kantamneni, Neha R.; Mugavin, Mark O.; Djurasovic, Mladen

Spine. 35(19):1812-1817, September 1, 2010.

doi: 10.1097/BRS.0b013e3181c68b75

After controlling for covariates known to affect outcomes and producing 2 groups of 58 patients with similar demographics, diagnoses, and preoperative outcome scores, it was found that patients on workers' compensation have significantly less improvement in ODI and SF-36 PCS as well as in the number of patients achieving substantial clinical benefit after posterolateral lumbar fusion.

Abstract:

Binning, Mandy J.; Schmidt, Meic H.

Spine. 35(19):1821-1825, September 1, 2010.

doi: 10.1097/BRS.0b013e3181c90bdf

Localization of the level of interest in thoracic disc surgery can be difficult in certain patients. Prolonged surgery and wrong level surgery can result if localization is not correct. The authors describe an effective and safe method of preoperative localization of the level of interest with a radiopaque marker to aid in visualization of the correct level during thoracic discectomy and fusion.

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