Ancient identification and modern categorization of the governor vessel disorders / 中国针灸

The ancient and modern literature relevant with the governor vessel disorders is collected systematically and their connotation is reconstructed. After the collection and analysis on the ancient and modern medical books and literature relevant with the governor vessel disorders, it is discovered that the governor vessel disorders in the ancient time are relevant with the running course of the governor vessel, organs and dysfunction. While the governor vessel disorders in modern time are involved with the spine, nerve, respiration, digestion, urinary reproduction, head, face and five sensory organs, etc. No matter in the ancient times or in the modern times, the recognition on the connotation and categorization of the governor vessel are highly similar. In comparison between the governor vessel disorders and the spinal disorders, it is believed that they are possibly the two concepts with the high similarity between the different medical backgrounds of the East and the West.

The evolving role of physical therapists in the long-term management of chronic low back pain: longitudinal care using assisted self-management strategies

ABSTRACT Background Longitudinal studies have shown that the symptoms of chronic low back pain (CLBP) will follow an episodic trajectory characterized by periods of high and low pain intensity that can persist for many years. There is a growing belief that the contemporary approach of limiting physical therapy to short, but intense courses of treatment for (CLBP) may be sub-optimal because these limited “windows” of clinical care are not congruent with the natural history of this condition. Recent research has suggested that people with CLBP undergo substantial, and individualized long-term variations in the neural processing of nociception over time. This has led to the concept of a “unique biosignature of pain” that may explain much of the variation in a person’s clinical picture. These and other findings have led to the reconceptualization of CLBP as an individualized, and continually evolving condition that may be more suitably managed by empowering the patient toward self-management strategies that can be modified as needed over time by the PT. Objectives The purpose of this Master Class Paper is to describe an emerging approach for the treatment of CLBP that emphasizes the formation of a long-term therapeutic alliance between the patient and the PT with an emphasis on individualized, patient-preferred approaches for activity-based self-management as an alternative to the contemporary approach of short, intense episodes of care directed toward pain reduction. Conclusion Longitudinal care using assisted self-management strategies is more congruent with the natural history of CLBP than are traditional approaches for PT intervention. This approach may empower patients to undergo lifestyle changes that will favorably influence long-term outcomes; however additional research is needed.

Analysis of Risk Factors of Adjacent Segment Disease with Lumbar and Lumbosacral Arthrodesis for the Degenerative Lumbar Spinal Disorders / 대한정형외과학회잡지

PURPOSE: The objective of this study is to confirm the effects of risk factors on Adjacent Segment Disease (ASD). MATERIALS AND METHODS: The subjects of this study were 793 patients who had degenerative lumbar spine disease and were followed-up for an average period of 7.2 years from January of 1999 to September of 2010 after undergoing spinal fusion. To confirm the risk factors, a study on patient factors, surgical factors and radiologic factors was performed. RESULTS: Of 793 patients, 69 patients (group A, 8.7%) underwent a secondary surgical treatment due to ASD. Age of patient, sex, bone mineral density, history of smoking and occupation were not statistically significant. Preoperative body mass index (BMI) (> or =25 kg/m2) and postoperative increase of BMI were the patient's factor in ASD (p=0.02, p<0.001). Regarding surgical factors, multilevel fusion (more than 3 levels) was higher risk in prevalence of ASD than short level fusion (p=0.01). Degeneration of intervertebral disc (p=0.01) and facet joints (p=0.02), and segmental instability (p=0.001) were also associated with the prevalence of ASD in radiologic factors. CONCLUSION: To prevent the occurrence of ASD after lumbosacral fusion, selection of the proper level of fusion preoperatively and modifying the life style with body weight control and reduction of hypermobility after fusion surgery are essential.

Biomechanics of Degenerative Spinal Disorders

The spine has several important functions including load transmission, permission of limited motion, and protection of the spinal cord. The vertebrae form functional spinal units, which represent the smallest segment that has characteristics of the entire spinal column. Discs and paired facet joints within each functional unit form a three-joint complex between which loads are transmitted. Surrounding the spinal motion segment are ligaments, composed of elastin and collagen, and joint capsules which restrict motion to within normal limits. Ligaments have variable strengths and act via different lever arm lengths to contribute to spinal stability. As a consequence of the longer moment arm from the spinous process to the instantaneous axis of rotation, inherently weaker ligaments (interspinous and supraspinous) are able to provide resistance to excessive flexion. Degenerative processes of the spine are a normal result of aging and occur on a spectrum. During the second decade of life, the intervertebral disc demonstrates histologic evidence of nucleus pulposus degradation caused by reduced end plate blood supply. As disc height decreases, the functional unit is capable of an increased range of axial rotation which subjects the posterior facet capsules to greater mechanical loads. A concurrent change in load transmission across the end plates and translation of the instantaneous axis of rotation further increase the degenerative processes at adjacent structures. The behavior of the functional unit is impacted by these processes and is reflected by changes in the stress-strain relationship. Back pain and other clinical symptoms may occur as a result of the biomechanical alterations of degeneration.

Spinal dysraphism: MRI evaluation.

Background: Spinal dysraphism refers to the entire range of spinal column and neuraxis anomalies. The objective was to evaluate the role of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in characterizing the congenital and developmental disorders of spine. Methods: Fifty (50) patients with clinically suspected spinal dysraphism were included in the study. All the patients were made to undergo MRI spine using 1.5 Tesla MRI, manufactured by GE, SIGNA HDX MACHINE. The findings of MRI spine were assessed and analyzed. Results: Out of 50 patients included in the study; 24 were male (48%) and remaining 26 were female (52%). Congenital spinal lesions were more prevalent in the age group 0-20 years (70%). Lesions without subcutaneous masses (62%) were more common than the lesions with subcutaneous masses (38%). The commonest location for the congenital spinal lesions was lumbar region (54%). Congenital spinal lesions without spinal curvature abnormalities (58%) were more common than the lesions with spinal curvature abnormalities (42%). Vertebral anomalies (78%) were the commonest spinal anomalies in patients with congenital spinal lesions; spina bifida was the commonest (46%). Diastematomyelia was more prevalent in the age group 0-10 years (41.66%) and in female population (58.33%). Conclusion: Thus we conclude that Spinal dysraphism were common in young females, with commonest anomaly being vertebral anomaly (Spina bifida), commonest location is lumbar region, Diastematomyelia common in young aged female. Magnetic resonance imaging is an accurate, noninvasive, safe and advanced modality for evaluation of the congenital spinal disorders and help in better management of these patients with prompt and accurate diagnosis.

Comparative Study of Posterior Lumbar Interbody Fusion with Posterolateral Fusion in Degenerative Lumbar Spinal Disorders

STUDY DESIGN: A retrospective study. OBJECTIVES: The authors found that problems such as axial pain, donor site pain, loss of reduction, loosening or failure of fixation materials occurred relatively frequently after posterolateral fusion. For this, we had views on the ideas that the problems could be improved by an operation that fused vertebral bodies. Furthermore, we performed posterior lumbar interbody fusion and wanted to know the results. SUMMARY OF LITERATURE REVIEW: We performed posterior lumbar inter-body fusion as an alternative, due to complications of autoiliac bone graft that has complications, such as donor site pain. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Sixty patients with single segment degenerative lumbar disease were treated with decompression, pedicle screws fixation, and spinal fusion. The patients were followed-up for more than 2 years. Thirty patients, who had undergone posterolateral fusion with autologous iliac bone graft, were classified as the "group 1". The second 30 patients, who underwent posterior lumbar interbody fusion with cage and local bone graft, were classified as the "group 2". The operation time, blood loss, fusion rate, lumbar lordotic angle, segmental angle were compared between the 2 groups. The clinical outcomes were evaluated by Kim's functional evaluation scale. RESULTS: The operation time was shorter in group 2 (142.74 minutes vs 171.64 minutes), there was a statistical difference between the 2 groups. Intraoperative blood loss was more in group 2 (563.40 vs 551.78 mL), but total blood loss, including postoperative drained blood was less in group 2. The bony fusion rate was 90% in group 1, 97% in group 2. For the lumbar lordotic angle, the last outcome was less than the preoperative value. There was no statistical difference between the 2 groups. The segmental angle in group 1, the last outcome was less than the preoperative value. The segmental angle in group 2 was maintained the value through pre-operation to post-operation. Clinical outcomes were satisfactory in group 1 (96.67%) & in group 2 (100%). In group 1, 7 patients experienced pain at the iliac graft donor site. In group 2, there were 2 cases of retroposition of the cage. CONCLUSIONS: In the posterior lumbar interbody fusion group, operation time was shorter, total blood loss was less than in the posterolateral fusion group. Restoration and maintenance of the segmental angle in sagittal and coronal radiographs showed better outcomes, axial pain and iliac donor site pain were less. It is the authors' position that posterior lumbar interbody fusion is an alternative operation to supplement the faults of posterolateral fusion.

Clinical Efficacy of a Stand-Alone, Threaded-Titanium Fusion Cage for Single-Level Degenerative Lumbar Spinal Disorders / 대한정형외과학회잡지

PURPOSE: To evaluate the clinical and radiologic efficacy of posterior lumbar interbody fusion (PLIF) using a threaded fusion cage (TFC) alone with autogenous iliac corticocancellous bone graft for single-level degenerative lumbar spinal disorders. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Thirty-eight consecutive patients receiving PLIF with TFC alone were evaluated with at least three years of follow-up. Clinical outcome and satisfaction were assessed using Ragab's measurements. Radiological outcomes were analyzed in terms of lumbar lordosis, segmental lordosis, disc height, and fusion rates. RESULTS: Disc height was 6.18+/-2.54 mm, 11.71+/-1.60 mm and 9.94+/-1.94 mm on average for preoperative, postoperative, and final follow-up, respectively. Lumbar lordosis was 27.46+/-11.47degrees, 31.41+/-8.89degrees on average for preoperative and at final follow-up, respectively. Segmental lordosis was 11.51+/-9.35degrees preoperatively, and 10.86+/-7.49degrees at final follow-up. Satisfactory clinical outcome were obtained in 89.2% of patients with successful bone fusion in 73.0% of patients. CONCLUSION: Stand alone TFC is an effective treatment modality in maintenance of disc height and lumbar lordosis, with satisfactory long term clinical outcomes in the treatment of single-level degenerative lumbar spinal disorders.

Clinical Applications of the Tubular Retractor on Spinal Disorders

Tubular retractor system as a minimally invasive surgery (MIS) technique has many advantages over other conventional MIS techniques. It offers direct visualization of the operative field, anatomical familiarity to spine surgeons, and minimizing tissue trauma. With technical advancement, many spinal pathologies are being treated using this system. Namely, herniated discs, lumbar and cervical stenosis, synovial cysts, lumbar instability, trauma, and even some intraspinal tumors have all been treated through tubular retractor system. Flexible arm and easy change of the tube direction are particularly useful in contralateral spinal decompression from an ipsilateral approach. Careful attention to surgical technique through narrow space will ensure that complications are minimized and will provide improved outcomes. However, understanding detailed anatomies and keeping precise surgical orientation are essential for this technique. Authors present the technical feasibility and initial results of use a tubular retractor system as a minimally invasive technique for variaties of spinal disorders with a review of literature.

Comparison of Posterior Lumbar Interbody Fusion with Posterolateral Fusionin Degenerative Lumbar Spinal Disorders / 대한정형외과학회잡지

PURPOSE: This study compared the surgical treatment results between posterior lumbar interbody fusion (PLIF) and posterolateral fusion (PLF) with pedicle screw fixation in degenerative lumbar spinal disorders. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In 45 cases of PLF (group I) and 45 cases of PLIF (group II), lumbar lordosis, segmental lordosis, bone union and complications were considered to be an evaluation criterion. Kim's functional evaluation scale was used for the clinical results. RESULTS: The average lumbar lordosis in group I was 36.84+/-8.31 degrees preoperatively, 40.58+/-7.61 degrees postoperatively and 35.73+/-7.61 degrees at the last follow up. On the other hand, the respective changes in the average lumbar lordosis were 31.53+/-7.09 degrees, 39.11+/-7.21 degrees, and 35.47+/-7.76 degrees in group II. Definitive solid union was obtained in 41 cases in group I (91.1%) and 43 cases in group II (95.6%). The rate of complications was 24.4% (11 cases) in group I and 2.2% (6 cases) in group II, and a satisfactory functional outcome were obtained in 43 cases (95.6%) in group I and 41 cases (91.1%) in group II. CONCLUSION: Both PLF and PLIF on short segment fusion provided satisfactory bone union and clinical results. In segmental lordosis, there were no significant differences between the two groups. However, PLIF was more effective in preventing lumbar lordosis and complications than PLF. A longer term follow up will be needed to evaluate the adjacent segmental degeneration and maintenance of the sagittal balance.

The Results of Long Segment Posterolateral Fusion in Degenerative Lumbar Spinal Disorders / 대한정형외과학회잡지

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the safety and the validity of the long level posterolateral fusion with pedicle screw augmentation in the surgical treatment of degenerative lumbar spinal disorders in older patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A radiological evaluation such as fusion rate, the changes of lordotic angle, metal failure and junctional problem, and clinical results about a 33 patients older than 50 years of age in whom a posterolateral fusion has been performed on more than three segments were analyzed. RESULTS: Arthrodesis was obtained in 23 cases and the changes in the lordotic angle was 7.9+/-5.2degrees. Satisfactory results were obtained in 20 cases, fair in 8 and poor in 5 cases. Satisfactory results were obtained in 12 of the 16 cases in which S1 was included in the arthrodesis and 8 of the 17 cases in which S1 was not included in the arthrodesis. The post-surgical complications encountered were as follows: Wound infection in 5 cases, metal loosening or failure in 12, bone graft donor site problem in 2 and junctional problems in 8 cases. Revision surgery was performed in 9 cases. CONCLUSION: Long segment fusion in degenerative lumbar spinal disorders should be considered carefully in old age because of the high rate of post-surgical complications and unsatisfactory clinical outcomes.

The Changes of Adjacent Segments after Fusions (above 3-levels to L5) in Degenerative Lumbar Spinal Disorders / 대한척추외과학회지

STUDY DESIGN: A retrospective study. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the usefulness of MRI grading of disc degeneration in determining whether L5-S1 fusion is necessary in degenerative lumbar spinal disorders. SUMMARY OF LITERATURE REVIEW: Changes in adjacent segments are not well understood, after floating fusion has been performed. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We reviewed 16 surgical cases of degenerative lumbar spinal disorders from July 1996 to February 2000 with an average follow-up of 41 months. Fusion was done in patients without instability, pathology and narrowing of L5-S1. We measured the disc degeneration of adjacent segments in preoperative MRIs using the Modified Pearce classification. In spine AP, lateral and flexion-extension radiographs, we measured disc height, angular motion and instability changes and correlated these with disc degeneration. RESULTS: Disc height changes decreased in the upper and lower adjacent segments and preoperative disc degeneration above grade IV, decreased more in lower adjacent segment. A statistical correlation was found between disc degeneration and disc height changes in the lower segment (P=0.046), but not in the upper segment (P=0.649). The angular-motion was unchanged in the upper and lower adjacent segments, and no statistical correlation was found between disc degeneration and angular-motion changes (P=0.819, 0.208). Postoperative instability was found in the upper adjacent segment in 2 patients, but no statistical cor-relation was found between disc degeneration and instability (P=0.083, P=1.000). CONCLUSION: L5-S1 might be saved when free of pathology, and when disc degeneration is below grade III and balanced sagit-tally. However, further study is needed because of the short-term follow up and low number of cases in this study.