Clinical symptoms and imaging findings of cervical instability in young adult / 中国骨伤

OBJECTIVE@#To explore clinical symptoms and X-ray imaging features of cervical instability in young adult represented by postgraduates with a master's degree in medicine.@*METHODS@#Totally 91 postgraduates with a master's degree in medicine were investigated from September to December 2021, including 45 males and 46 females;aged from 22 to 30 years old with an average of (25.30±2.18) years old. The cervical spondylosis-related discomfort symptoms of the subjects were collected and examined by the examiner for neck and shoulder tenderness point examination and cervical vertebra positive and lateral and functional X-ray radiography. According to the results of X-ray examination, the subjects were divided into stable cervical group and unstable cervical group.@*RESULTS@#Among 91 subjects, there were 50 patients with cervical instability, accounting for 54.90% of total number of subjects. The cervical curvature was abnormal in 78 patients, accounting for 85.70% of total number of subjects. Among 50 patients with cervical instability, 50 patients were diagnosed as cervical instability on the basis of angular displaxement(AD)≥ 11 °, including 13 cases of C3,4 instability, 30 cases of C4,5 instability and 7 cases of C5,6 instability;and 5 cases were diagnosed as cervical instability based on horizontal displacement(HD)≥ 3.5 mm, including 1 case of C3,4 instability and 4 cases of C4,5 instability. Compared with stable cervical group, the number of discomfort symptoms of neck pain, headache and shoulder pain in instability group was significantly higher than that of in stable cervical group(P<0.05);and the number of tenderness in spinous process space of C4,5 and C5,6, 2 cm adjacent to the spinous process of C2-C5 and the superior angle of the scapula (the stop point of levator scapulae) in the instability group was significantly higher than that in the stable cervical group (P<0.05);and the cervical curvature in the instability group was significantly lower than that in stable cervical group(P<0.05).@*CONCLUSION@#The incidence of cervical instability in young adult represented by postgraduates with a master's degree in medicine is high, they are mainly diagnosed as cervical instability on the basis of vertebral angular displacement ≥ 11°, and the instability segments are concentrated on C3,4, C4,5 and C5,6 segments, the occurrence of cervical instability is often accompanied by abnormalities of cervical curvature. Most of clinical manifestations are head, neck and shoulder pain, especially neck pain in unstable segment.

Correlative analysis of cervical curvature and atlantoaxial instability / 中国骨伤

OBJECTIVE@#To investigate the correlation between the changes of cervical curvature and atlantoaxial instability.@*METHODS@#The correlation between the changes of cervical curvature and atlantoaxial instability was retrospectively studied in 50 outpatients with abnormal cervical curvature (abnormal cervical curvature group) from January 2018 to December 2019. There were 24 males and 26 females in abnormal cervical curvature group, aged from 18 to 42 years old with an average of(30.62±5.83) years. And 53 patients with normal cervical curvature (normal cervical curvature group) during the same period were matched, including 23 males and 30 females, aged from 21 to 44 years with an average of(31.98±6.11) years. Cervical spine X-ray films of 103 patients were taken in lateral position and open mouth position. Cervical curvature and variance of bilateral lateral atlanto-dental space(VBLADS) were measured and recorded, Pearson correlation coefficient analysis was used to study the correlation between the changes of cervical curvature and atlantoaxial instability.@*RESULTS@#Atlantoaxial joint instability accounted for 39.6%(21/53) in normal cervical curvature group and 84.0%(42/50) in abnormal cervical curvature group. There was significant difference between two groups(P<0.01). VBLADS in abnormal cervical curvature group was (1.79±1.01) mm, which was significantly higher than that in normal cervical curvature group(0.55±0.75) mm(P<0.01). Pearson correlation coefficient analysis showed that the size of cervical curvature was negatively correlated with VBLADS.@*CONCLUSION@#Cervical curvature straightening and inverse arch are the cause of atlantoaxial instability, the smaller the cervical curvature, the more serious the atlantoaxial instability.

Corrección de la altura patelar en inestabilidad rotuliana / Correction of patellar height in patellofemoral instability

El manejo de la inestabilidad patelofemoral se basa en una adecuada evaluación de alteraciones anatómicas predisponentes. Patela alta es una de las causas más importantes de inestabilidad objetiva. La alteración biomecánica que ésta produce puede conducir a luxación patelar recurrente, dolor y cambios degenerativos focales. El examen físico es fundamental en la toma de decisiones. La evaluación imagenológica ha evolucionado desde métodos basados en radiografía hacia mediciones en resonancia magnética, que permiten una orientación más acabada de la relación existente entre la rótula y la tróclea femoral. El tratamiento se fundamenta en la corrección selectiva de los factores causales, donde la osteotomía de descenso de la tuberosidad anterior de la tibia y la reconstrucción del ligamento patelofemoral medial son herramientas que deben considerarse racionalmente. Este artículo realiza una revisión de la literatura, otorgando los fundamentos quirúrgicos que explican la importancia del tratamiento específico de patela alta en inestabilidad rotuliana.

Patellofemoral instability management is based on a thorough evaluation of predisposing anatomical factors. Patella alta is one of the utmost causes of objective instability. As a result, biomechanical disturbance can lead to recurrent patellar instability, pain, and focal degenerative changes. Physical examination is paramount in decision making. Imaging evaluation has evolved from X-rays based methods to magnetic resonance measurements, which allows a more accurate assessment of the patellotrochlear relationship. Treatment is based on a selective risk factors correction, where tibial tubercle distalization osteotomy and medial patellofemoral ligament reconstruction must be considered altogether. This article reviews the surgical rationale of patella alta treatment in patellofemoral instability.

Glenoid track «off-track¼ as a risk factor for recurrence of anterior glenohumeral instability in postoperative patients / El encarrilamiento glenoideo off-track como factor de riesgo de recidiva de inestabilidad glenohumeral en pacientes postoperados

Abstract: Introduction: Glenoid track is used to assess the engagement of Hill-Sachs lesions. The objective of this study was to identify if off-track glenoid track was a risk factor for recurrence of anterior glenohumeral instability in postoperative patients with arthroscopic anterior labrum repair. Material and methods: Sixty patients with glenohumeral instability who underwent arthroscopic repair of the anterior labrum were studied. Study group (patients with recurrence of postoperative dislocation) and control (no dislocation). Radiographic measurements were made on magnetic resonance imaging and computed tomography. Measurements of glenoid diameter, glenoid bone loss, as well as the presence and size of Hill-Sachs lesions were obtained. Later they were classified as «on-track¼ or «off-track¼. Results: Seven (11.67%) patients suffered recurrence, of which six (10%) were carriers of an off-track injury and 1 (1.67%) on-Track. 53 (88.33%) patients did not experience recurrence, of which 11 (18.33%) were carriers of an off-track injury and 42 (70%) on track. A 23.47 increased risk of recurrence of instability was interpreted in patients with «off-track¼ lesions compared to patients with «On track¼ lesions. Conclusions: Off-track injuries were a risk factor for recurrence of instability in patients who underwent Bankart-type arthroscopic repair. This allows us to recommend that the presence of lesions be routinely studied and classified as «on-track¼ or «off-track¼ to provide a better therapeutic approach.

Resumen: Introducción: El encarrilamiento glenoideo se emplea para valorar el enganche de lesiones Hill-Sachs. El objetivo de este estudio fue identificar si el encarrilamiento glenoideo off-track fue un factor de riesgo de recidiva de inestabilidad glenohumeral anterior en pacientes postoperados de reparación de labrum anterior por vía artroscópica. Material y métodos: Se estudiaron 60 pacientes sometidos a reparación artroscópica del labrum anterior. Grupo de estudio (pacientes con recidiva de luxación postoperatoria) y control (sin luxación). Las mediciones radiográficas se realizaron en resonancia magnética y en tomografía axial computarizada. Se obtuvieron mediciones del diámetro glenoideo, pérdida ósea glenoidea así como la presencia y tamaño de lesiones de Hill-Sachs. Posteriormente se clasificaron como on-track u off-track. Resultados: Siete (11.67%) pacientes sufrieron recidiva, de los cuales seis (10%) eran portadores de lesión off-track y uno (1.67%) on-track. 53 (88.33%) pacientes sin recidiva, de los cuales 11 (18.33%) eran portadores de lesión off-track y 42 (70%) on-track. Se interpretó un aumento de riesgo de recidiva de inestabilidad de 23.47 en los pacientes portadores de lesión de tipo off-track en comparación con los pacientes portadores de lesiones on-track. Conclusiones: Las lesiones off-track fueron un factor de riesgo de recidiva de inestabilidad en los pacientes a quienes se realizó reparación artroscópica tipo Bankart, lo cual nos permite recomendar que de forma rutinaria se estudie la presencia de lesiones y clasificarlas como on-track u off-track para brindar un mejor abordaje terapéutico.

Tratamiento de la inestabilidad femoropatelar objetiva. Resultados a cinco años de seguimiento / Treatment of objective patellar instability. Results after five years of follow-up

Resumen: Objetivo: Presentar los diferentes procedimientos quirúrgicos en el tratamiento de las inestabilidades femoropatelares objetivas, incluyendo la osteotomía de la tuberosidad tibial anterior y la trocleoplastía femoral. Material y métodos: Con un diseño prospectivo con seguimiento a cinco años que incluyó a 21 pacientes (21 rodillas) tratados por luxación rotuliana recidivante entre Marzo de 2010 y Agosto de 2014, tratándose de forma quirúrgica mediante dos técnicas diferentes según el tipo de inestabilidad estructural de base. Para determinarlo, se analizó el índice radiográfico de Caton-Deschamps (para la evaluación de la altura rotuliana) y parámetros tomográficos para valorar el configuración troclear y distancia desde la tuberosidad tibial anterior hasta la tróclea femoral (TT-TG) en la superposición de imágenes en el plano axial. Resultados: Hemos tenido resultados satisfactorios tanto con la transferencia de la tuberosidad tibial anterior como con la trocleoplastía. En ambos procedimientos se realizó una reconstrucción del ligamento patelofemoral medial (LPFM). Conclusiones: La recurrencia de inestabilidad es muy rara después de estos procedimientos y es más probable que ésta resulte de anomalías asociadas no diagnosticadas o subestimadas. Se requiere una planificación precisa preoperatoria para determinar la altura rotuliana, la ubicación de la tuberosidad tibial anterior y la configuración troclear para obtener resultados satisfactorios.

Abstract: Objective: To present the different surgical procedures in the treatment of objective femoropateral instability, including osteotomy of anterior tibial tuberosity and femoral trocleoplasty. Material and methods: With a prospective 5-year follow-up design that included 21 patients (21 knees) treated for relapsing patellar dislocation between March 2010 and August 2014, treated surgically using 2 different techniques depending on the type of basic structural instability. To determine this, the Caton-Deschamps X-Ray Index (for the evaluation of the patellar height) and tomographic parameters were analyzed to assess the troclear configuration and distance from the anterior tibial tuberosity to the femoral trochlea (TT-TG) in the overlapping of images in the axial plane. Results: We have had satisfactory results both with the transfer of the anterior tibial tuberosity and with the trocleoplasty. In both procedures, a reconstruction of the medial patelo-femoral ligament (LPFM) was performed. Conclusion: Recurrence of instability is very rare after these procedures and is more likely to result from undiagnosed or underestimated associated abnormalities. Precise preoperative planning is required to determine the patellar height, location of the anterior tibial tuberosity, and troclear configuration for satisfactory results.

Interobserver reproducibility of radiographic evaluation of lumbar spine instability / Reprodutibilidade interobservadores da avaliação radiográfica de instabilidade em coluna lombar

ABSTRACT Objective: To measure the interobserver reproducibility of the radiographic evaluation of lumbar spine instability. Methods: Measurements of the dynamic radiographs of the lumbar spine in lateral view were performed, evaluating the anterior translation and the angulation among the vertebral bodies. The tests were evaluated at workstations of the organization, through the Carestream Health Vue RIS (PACS), version 11.0.12.14 Inc. 2009© system. Results: Agreement in detecting cases of radiographic instability among the observers varied from 88.1 to 94.4%, and the agreement coefficients AC1 were all above 0.8, indicating excellent agreement. Conclusion: The interobserver analysis performed among orthopedic surgeons with different levels of training in dynamic radiographs of the spine obtained high reproducibility and agreement. However, some factors, such as the manual method of measurement and the presence of vertebral osteophytes, might have generated a few less accurate results in this comparative evaluation of measurements.

RESUMO Objetivo: Mensurar a reprodutibilidade interobservadores da avaliação radiográfica da instabilidade da coluna lombar. Métodos: Foram realizadas mensurações das radiografias dinâmicas de coluna lombar na incidência em perfil, avaliando-se a translação anterior e a angulação entre os corpos vertebrais. Os exames foram avaliados em workstations da própria instituição, por meio do sistema Vue RIS (PACS) da Carestream Health, versão 11.0.12.14 Inc. 2009©. Resultados: A proporção de concordância em detecção de casos de instabilidade radiográfica entre os observadores variou de 88,1 a 94,4%, e os coeficientes de concordância AC1 estiveram todos acima de 0,8, indicando concordância excelente. Conclusão: A análise interobservadores realizada entre médicos ortopedistas com diferentes níveis de treinamento em radiografias dinâmicas da coluna vertebral obteve elevada reprodutibilidade e concordância. No entanto, alguns fatores, como método manual de aferição e a presença de osteófitos vertebrais, podem ter gerado alguns resultados menos consistentes nessa avaliação comparativa de medidas.

Posterior Lumbar Interbody Fusion via a Unilateral Approach

This study sought to determine the outcomes of posterior lumbar interbody fusion (PLIF), via a unilateral approach, in selected patients who presented with unilateral leg pain and segmental instability of the lumbar spine. Patients with a single level of a herniated disc disease in the lumbar spine, unilateral leg pain, chronic disabling lower back pain (LBP), and a failed conservative treatment, were considered for the procedure. A total of 41 patients underwent a single-level PLIF using two PEEK(TM) (Poly-Ether-Ether-Ketone) cages filled with iliac bone, via a unilateral approach. The patients comprised 21 women and 20 men with a mean age of 41 years (range: 22 to 63 years). Two cages were inserted using a unilateral medial facetectomy and a partial hemilaminectomy. At follow-up, the outcomes were assessed using the Prolo Scale. The success of the fusion was determined by dynamic lumbar radiography and/or computerized tomography scanning. All the patients safely underwent surgery without severe complications. During a mean follow-up period of 26 months, 1 patient underwent percutaneous pedicle screw fixation due to persistent LBP. A posterior displacement of the cage was found in one patient. At the last follow up, 90% of the patients demonstrated satisfactory results. An osseous fusion was present in 85% of the patients. A PLIF, via a unilateral approach, enables a solid union with satisfactory clinical results. This preserves part of the posterior elements of the lumbar spine in selected patients with single level instability and unilateral leg pain.

Posterior Lumbar Interbody Fusion via a Unilateral Approach

This study sought to determine the outcomes of posterior lumbar interbody fusion (PLIF), via a unilateral approach, in selected patients who presented with unilateral leg pain and segmental instability of the lumbar spine. Patients with a single level of a herniated disc disease in the lumbar spine, unilateral leg pain, chronic disabling lower back pain (LBP), and a failed conservative treatment, were considered for the procedure. A total of 41 patients underwent a single-level PLIF using two PEEK(TM) (Poly-Ether-Ether-Ketone) cages filled with iliac bone, via a unilateral approach. The patients comprised 21 women and 20 men with a mean age of 41 years (range: 22 to 63 years). Two cages were inserted using a unilateral medial facetectomy and a partial hemilaminectomy. At follow-up, the outcomes were assessed using the Prolo Scale. The success of the fusion was determined by dynamic lumbar radiography and/or computerized tomography scanning. All the patients safely underwent surgery without severe complications. During a mean follow-up period of 26 months, 1 patient underwent percutaneous pedicle screw fixation due to persistent LBP. A posterior displacement of the cage was found in one patient. At the last follow up, 90% of the patients demonstrated satisfactory results. An osseous fusion was present in 85% of the patients. A PLIF, via a unilateral approach, enables a solid union with satisfactory clinical results. This preserves part of the posterior elements of the lumbar spine in selected patients with single level instability and unilateral leg pain.

Posterior C1-C2 transarticular screw fixation for Atlanto-axial instability.

The objective of this study was to reveal that the treatment of C1-C2 instability by transarticular C1-C2 screw fixation with bone graft has a better result than conventional sublaminar wiring with bone graft by Gallie's technique. This technique, proposed by Magerl and Semann in 1987, produces a rigid three points fixation resulting in maximal bone fusion rate and does not require an orthosis post-operatively. This technique is performed in patients with fractured lamina of C1 or in patients who need a laminectomy of C1 for spinal cord decompression. This study revealed 10 patients having C1-C2 instability who were operated on by transarticular C1-C2 screw fixation with bone graft. No complication was encountered. No screw and bone graft slipping were noted. The patients were improved clinically and the average follow-up period was 7.7 months. There were 2 cases which had previously been operated on for sublaminar wiring but the operation was unsuccessful because there was a fractured lamina of C1. Both patients were sent to Prasat Neurological Institute & Hospital for transarticular C1-C2 screw fixation. Another 2 cases were operated on for sublaminar wiring with bone graft. The follow-up X-ray of both cases disclosed a displacement of C1-C2. Lost of C1 lamina was found in one case and there was slipping of wire in another case, because of this the patients were re-explored for transarticular C1-C2 screw fixation with bone graft. The conclusion is, this technique of transarticular C1-C2 screw fixation, is the best surgical treatment for C1-C2 instability, in the hands of experienced surgeons with an excellent knowledge of anatomy.