In vitro coupled motions of the whole human thoracic and lumbar spine with rib cage.

Study design: In vitro biomechanical study investigating the coupled motions of the whole normative human thoracic spine (TS) and lumbar spine (LS) with rib cage. Objective: To quantify the region-specific coupled motion patterns and magnitudes of the TS, thoracolumbar junction (TLJ), and LS simultaneously. Background: Studying spinal coupled motions is important in understanding the development of complex spinal deformities and providing data for validating computational models. However, coupled motion patterns reported in vitro are controversial, and no quantitative data on region-specific coupled motions of the whole human TS and LS are available. Methods: Pure, unconstrained bending moments of 8 Nm were applied to seven fresh-frozen human cadaveric TS and LS specimens (mean age: 70.3 ± 11.3 years) with rib cages to elicit flexion-extension (FE), lateral bending (LB), and axial rotation (AR). During each primary motion, region-specific rotational range of motion (ROM) data were captured. Results: No statistically significant, consistent coupled motion patterns were observed during primary FE. During primary LB, there was significant (p < 0.05) ipsilateral AR in the TS and a general pattern of contralateral coupled AR in the TLJ and LS. There was also a tendency for the TS to extend and the LS to flex. During primary AR, significant coupled LB was ipsilateral in the TS and contralateral in both the TLJ and LS. Significant coupled flexion in the LS was also observed. Coupled LB and AR ROMs were not significantly different between the TS and LS or from one another. Conclusions: The findings support evidence of consistent coupled motion patterns of the TS and LS during LB and AR. These novel data may serve as reference for computational model validations and future in vitro studies investigating spinal deformities and implants.

An investigation of range of motion preservation in fusionless anterior double screw and cord constructs for scoliosis correction.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the motion-preserving properties of vertebral body tethering with varying cord/screw constructs and cord thicknesses in cadaveric thoracolumbar spines. METHODS: In vitro flexibility tests were performed on six fresh-frozen human cadaveric spines (T1-L5) (2 M, 4F) with a median age of 63 (59-to-80). An ± 8 Nm load was applied to determine range of motion (ROM) in flexion-extension (FE), lateral bending (LB), and axial rotation (AR) in the thoracic and lumbar spine. Specimens were tested with screws (T5-L4) and without cords. Single (4.0 mm and 5.0 mm) and double (4.0 mm) cord constructs were sequentially tensioned to 100 N and tested: (1) Single 4.0 mm and (2) 5.0 mm cords (T5-T12); (3) Double 4.0 mm cords (T5-12); (4) Single 4.0 mm and (5) 5.0 mm cord (T12-L4); (6) Double 4.0 mm cords (T12-L4). RESULTS: In the thoracic spine (T5-T12), 4.0-5.0 mm single-cord constructs showed slight reductions in FE and 27-33% reductions in LB compared to intact, while double-cord constructs showed reductions of 24% and 40%, respectively. In the lumbar spine (T12-L4), double-cord constructs had greater reductions in FE (24%), LB (74%), and AR (25%) compared to intact, while single-cord constructs exhibited reductions of 2-4%, 68-69%, and 19-20%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The present biomechanical study found similar motion for 4.0-5.0 mm single-cord constructs and the least motion for double-cord constructs in the thoracic and lumbar spine suggesting that larger diameter 5.0 mm cords may be a more promising motion-preserving option, due to their increased durability compared to smaller cords. Future clinical studies are necessary to determine the impact of these findings on patient outcomes.

Thumb carpometacarpal joint soft-tissue lesions in an asymptomatic population. An MRI study.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of ligament pathology around the first carpometacarpal joint in an asymptomatic population. We used a compact office-based MRI system and examined the hands of 117 healthy volunteers. We checked the competence of the anterior oblique ligament and of the posterior ligament complex on the MRI images. Our results showed that, in 82% of the study population, both ligaments could be perfectly visualized, with consistent signal from origin to insertion. Examination found signal changes indicating a damaged or torn ligament in the other cases. This study suggests that ligament pathology seen on MRI should be interpreted with caution. In symptomatic patients, pathologic images are to be interpreted in the light of the relevant clinical context. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: III.

A Critical Analysis of Lateral Versus Central Endpoint in Distal Tibia Nailing: Does It Affect Alignment?

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the effect of a traditional "center-center" end point for distal tibia nailing in comparison with a lateral-of-center end point on fracture malalignment in a cadaver model. METHODS: Nine matched pairs of human cadaveric lower-extremity specimens were used to model the effect of nail end point on fracture alignment in extra-articular distal tibia fractures. After simulation of the fracture through a standardized osteotomy, 1 member of each pair was fixed with an intramedullary nail using a "center-center" end point, whereas a lateral-of-center end point was used for the other member of the pair. Specimens were stripped of soft tissue, and digital calipers were used to measure fracture translation and gap medially, laterally, anteriorly, and posteriorly. Coronal plane angulation at each fracture was measured on the final mortise image. RESULTS: The average coronal angulation was 7.0 degrees of valgus (with a SD of 4.1) in central-end point specimens versus 0.2 degrees of valgus (SD = 1.5) in lateral-end point specimens ( P < 0.001). Lateral-end point specimens also demonstrated significantly less fracture gap medially (mean 0.2 vs. 3.1 mm for central-end point specimens, P < 0.001), anteriorly (mean 0.1 vs. 1.3 mm, P = 0.003), and posteriorly (mean 0.3 vs. 2.2 mm, P = 0.003). Lateral-end point specimens also showed less lateral translation (mean 0.6 vs. 1.6 mm, P = 0.006). CONCLUSIONS: Lateral-of-center nail end points may help surgeons restore native alignment in extra-articular distal tibia fractures and avoid valgus malalignment.

Quantifying lung and diaphragm morphology using radiographs in normative pediatric subjects, and predicting CT-derived lung volume.

OBJECTIVE: To quantify the effect of age on two-dimensional (2D) radiographic lung and diaphragm morphology and determine if 2D radiographic lung measurements can be used to estimate computer tomography (CT)-derived lung volume in normative pediatric subjects. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Digitally reconstructed radiographs (DRRs) were created using retrospective chest CT scans from 77 pediatric male and female subjects aged birth to 19 years. 2D lung and diaphragm measurements were made on the DRRs using custom MATLAB code, and Spearman correlations and exponential regression equations were used to relate 2D measurements with age. In addition, 3D lung volumes were segmented using CT scans, and power regression equations were fitted to predict each lung's CT-derived volume from 2D lung measurements. The coefficient of determination (R2 ) and standard error of the estimate (SEE) were used to assess the precision of the predictive equations with p < .05 indicating statistical significance. RESULTS: All 2D radiographic lung and diaphragm measurements showed statistically significant positive correlations with age (p < .01), including lung major axis (Spearman rho ≥ 0.90). Precise estimations of CT-derived lung volumes can be made using 2D lung measurements (R2 ≥ 0.95), including lung major axis (R2 ≥ 0.97). INTERPRETATIONS: The reported pediatric age-specific reference data on 2D lung and diaphragm morphology and growth rates could be clinically used to identify lung and diaphragm pathologies during chest X-ray evaluations. The simple, precise, and clinically adaptable radiographic method for estimating CT-derived lung volumes may be used when pulmonary function tests are not readily available or difficult to perform.