Incidence of recreational snowboarding-related spinal injuries over an 11-year period at a ski resort in Niigata, Japan.

BACKGROUND: There is limited knowledge regarding the incidence of recreational snowboarding-related spinal injuries. OBJECTIVE: This study investigated the incidence and characteristics of recent recreational snowboarding-related spinal injuries and discussed possible preventive measures to reduce the risk of spinal injuries. METHODS: This descriptive epidemiological study was conducted to investigate the incidence and characteristics of snowboarding-related spinal injuries at the Myoko ski resort in Niigata Prefecture, Japan, between 2006 and 2017. The incidence of spinal injuries was calculated as the total number of spinal injuries divided by the number of snowboarding visitors, which was estimated based on the ticket sales and estimates regarding the ratio of the number of skiers to the number of snowboarders reported by seven skiing facilities. RESULTS: In total, 124 (72.5%) males and 47 (27.5%) females suffered spinal injuries. The incidence of spinal injuries was 5.1 (95% CI 4.4 to 5.9) per 100 000 snowboarder visitors. Jumps at terrain parks were the most common factor in 113 (66.1%) spinal injuries, regardless of skill level (29/49 beginners, 78/112 intermediates, 6/10 experts). Overall, 11 (including 9 Frankel A) of 14 (78.6%) cases with residual neurologic deficits were involved with jumps. CONCLUSIONS: In recreational snowboarding, jumping is one of the main causes for serious spinal injuries, regardless of skill level. The incidence of spinal injuries has not decreased over time. Individual efforts and educational interventions thus far have proven insufficient to reduce the incidence of spinal injury. Ski resorts and the ski industry should focus on designing fail-safe jump features to minimise the risk of serious spinal injury.

Rib Hyperostosis as a Risk Factor for Poor Prognosis in Cervical Spine Injury Patients With Diffuse Idiopathic Skeletal Hyperostosis.

STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective multi-center study. OBJECTIVE: To identify the morphological features of costovertebral joints and ribs in surgically managed cervical injury patients with diffuse idiopathic skeletal hyperostosis (DISH) and to examine its impact on their vital prognosis. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: Several reports have indicated that DISH is an independent risk factor for mortality after spinal fracture. The reason for the high mortality in cervical injury patients with DISH is unclear, although some reports have suggested a possible association between pulmonary complications and mortality. METHODS: From 1999 to 2017, a total of 50 DISH patients (44 males) with cervical spine injuries who underwent spinal surgery were enrolled (average age 74 yrs). Prognosis and clinical risk factor data were collected; the morphological features of the patients' costovertebral joints and ribs were evaluated with computed tomography. The influence of each proposed risk factor and thoracic morphological feature on mortality was tested with univariate and multivariate analyses. RESULTS: The survival rate at 5 years after surgery was 52.3%. Nineteen (38%) patients died, and the most common cause of death was pneumonia (68%). Costovertebral bone excrescences and rib hyperostosis were found to be thoracic pathognomonic signs; their frequencies were 94% and 82%, respectively, and these conditions occurred in an average of 7.0 joints and 4.7 bones, respectively. The results of the log-rank test showed a significant difference in age, injury severity score (ISS), costovertebral bone excrescences, and rib hyperostosis. The results of age-adjusted multivariate analysis indicated that age (hazard ratio [HR] = 8.65, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.10-68.28, P = 0.041) and rib hyperostosis (HR = 3.82, 95% CI = 1.38-10.57, P = 0.010) were associated with mortality. CONCLUSION: Reduced chest wall mobility associated with rib hyperostosis in cervical spine injury patients with DISH leads to a poor prognosis. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: 3.

Age at the time of hip fracture in patients with rheumatoid arthritis is 4 years greater than it was 10 years before, but is still younger than that of the general population.

Objective: To investigate the characteristics of hip fractures in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA).Methods: Between 2012 and 2015, 789 hip fractures were treated at our hospital. Patients with RA were checked and their characteristics were compared with data recorded 10 years before, and with the general population.Results: There were 11 patients with RA, who were all female, and the mean age was 76 ± 7.0 years. The age at the time of hip fracture was 4 years older than that recorded 10 years before (72 ± 4.5 years, p < .05), but was younger than that of the general population (84 ± 8.0 years, p < .001). The mean prednisolone dose of 2.5 ± 2.6 mg/day was lower than that recorded 10 years before (4.8 ± 2.9 mg/day, p < .05). The rate of patients treated with anti-osteoporotic medications at fracture (73%) was higher than 10 years before (42%); however, the difference was not significant. The incidence of secondary fracture was not high compared to the general population. No mortality was recorded at 1 year, and no infective complications occurred.Conclusion: The age at the time of hip fracture in RA patients is increasing, but is still younger than that of the general population.

Challenges to prevent secondary fractures in patients with hip fractures in Joetsu Myoko, Japan through the increased use of osteoporosis treatment and collaboration with family doctors.

The Niigata Prefectural Central Hospital (NPCH) is one of the main hospitals for the cities of Joetsu and Myoko, Niigata Prefecture, Japan, an area with a population of 240,141, of whom 26.7 % were aged ≥65 years in 2009. In the NPCH, patients with hip fractures are admitted to an orthopedic ward within 4 h, 89.2 % of patients are operated on within 48 h during working hours, and the prevalence of pressure ulcers is 1.5 %. To reduce the incidence of hip fractures, two major challenges emphasizing secondary fracture prevention were initiated in 2012. The first challenge used a team approach-hospital pharmacists asked patients about their drug use histories, orthopedic surgeons began drug therapy for osteoporosis after explaining to patients its importance for the prevention of secondary hip fractures, nurses assessed the risk of falling, and physiotherapists conducted rehabilitation with the aim of preventing falls. The second challenge focused on maintaining treatment for osteoporosis after discharge, when patients were under the oversight of family doctors. The percentages of patients with primary hip fractures who were taking anti-osteoporosis medications at the time of discharge in 2009, 2012, 2013 and 2014 were 21, 33, 41, and 43 %, respectively. The 12-month incidences of hip fractures on the unaffected side in 2009, 2012, 2013 and 2014 were 7.4, 2.2, 0, and 2.4 %, respectively, and the 24-month incidences of such fractures in 2009, 2012 and 2013 were 12, 7.6, and 5.2 %, respectively. Our challenges were effective at decreasing the incidence of secondary fractures.

Clinical features, outcomes, and survival factor in patients with vertebral osteomyelitis infected by methicillin-resistant staphylococci.

PURPOSE: To elucidate clinico-radiological features, therapeutic outcomes, and survival factors of vertebral osteomyelitis patients infected by methicillin-resistant staphylococci (MRS). METHODS: Vertebral osteomyelitis patients admitted to the orthopaedic department between 2007 and 2011 (n = 248) were selected for this multicenter study. We compared patients' backgrounds, therapeutic course, and in-hospital mortality between MRS and methicillin-susceptible staphylococci (MSS). We also examined survival factors of vertebral osteomyelitis due to MRS. RESULTS: Sixteen patients of MRS vertebral osteomyelitis and 55 patients of MSS were included in this study. In MRS vertebral osteomyelitis, the rates of comorbid diabetes mellitus, involvement of >2 vertebral bodies, in-hospital mortality, and operation of surgical debridement were higher compared to those in MSS vertebral osteomyelitis. Univariate analysis showed that operation of surgical debridement was a factor related to survival in MRS patients. CONCLUSIONS: Higher rate of comorbid diabetes mellitus, involvement of >2 vertebral bodies, in-hospital mortality, and performing surgical debridement are peculiar features of MRS vertebral osteomyelitis compared to MSS vertebral osteomyelitis. If patients with MRS vertebral osteomyelitis respond poorly to antibiotic therapy, it might be better to consider surgical debridement not to lose an opportunity of operation due to exacerbation of systemic conditions.

Clinical significance of cerebrospinal fluid nitric oxide concentrations in degenerative cervical and lumbar diseases.

In animal models of degenerative lumbar disease, inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) is expressed in macrophages and Schwann cells following compression of the cauda equina. We previously reported that NO metabolites (nitrite plus nitrate: [NOx]) in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) correlate with postoperative pain relief in patients with degenerative lumbar disease and with neurologic recovery rate postoperatively or after conservative treatment in patients with spinal cord injury. The objective of the present study was to examine the relationship between [NOx] and neurologic severity, and recovery in degenerative cervical and lumbar diseases. Two hundred fifty-seven cases, including 85 patients with cervical compression myelopathy (CCM), 25 with cervical disc herniation (CDH), 70 with lumbar canal stenosis (LCS), and 77 with lumbar disc herniation (LDH), were examined. The CSF [NOx] was measured using the Griess method. Severity of neurologic impairment and clinical recovery was assessed using the Japanese Orthopedic Association score and Hirabayashi's method. [NOx] in CCM and LCS, but not CDH and LDH groups, was significantly higher than that in controls, and correlated with postoperative recovery rates, but not with preoperative neurologic severity. [NOx] significantly correlated with neurologic recovery following surgery for CCM and LCS.

Cerebrospinal fluid concentrations of nitric oxide metabolites in spinal cord injury.

STUDY DESIGN: Multiple center study to evaluate cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) concentrations of nitric oxide metabolites [NOx] in relation to neurologic severity and prognosis in spinal cord injury (SCI). OBJECTIVE: To examine whether CSF [NOx] correlates with neurologic severity and recovery in SCI. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: Inducible nitric oxide synthase is expressed in rat spinal cord immediately after SCI. Excessive nitric oxide production is cytotoxic, causing neuronal apoptosis with subsequent neurodysfunction in the spinal cord. We previously reported a significant correlation between initial [NOx] after incomplete cervical cord injury (CCI) and neurologic recovery at the final follow-up in 25 cases. METHODS: Ninety-six cases (SCI group), including 76 patients with CCI and 20 patients with thoracic cord injury were examined. Mean follow-up period was 11 months. The control group comprised 40 cases (3 healthy volunteers and 37 patients with neither pain nor neurologic disorders). CSF [NOx] were measured using the Griess method. Severity of neurologic impairment was assessed using Frankel's classification and the American Spinal Injury Association motor score (ASIA MS). Degree of neurologic recovery was assessed using Frankel's classification and the ASIA motor recovery percentage. RESULTS: CSF [NOx] did not differ significantly among the control, CCI, and thoracic cord injury groups at the initial examination. In the CCI group, [NOx] in the Frankel A and B classes were significantly higher than [NOx] in the control group at 5 to 14 days, in the Frankel A and B classes at 0 to 4 days, and in the Frankel C and D classes at 5 to 14 days. Also, in the CCI group at 5 to 14 days, [NOx] correlated significantly with ASIA MS and motor recovery percentage. CONCLUSION: There was a significant correlation between CSF [NOx] at the pathologic early subacute stage (approximately 5-14 days) and neurologic severity and recovery in SCI.

Significant correlation between cerebrospinal fluid nitric oxide concentrations and neurologic prognosis in incomplete cervical cord injury.

In animal models of spinal cord injury (SCI), inducible NO (nitric oxide) synthase is expressed in the spinal cord immediately after sustaining SCI. Excessive NO production has cytotoxic effects and induces neuronal apoptosis, causing neural degeneration and neurodysfunction in the spinal cord. Little is known, however, about the relationship between NO(x) (NO metabolites: nitrite and nitrate) levels in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and neurologic severity or recovery in clinical cases. The objective of the present study was to examine the correlation between CSF NO(x) levels and neurologic severity or recovery in SCI. Twenty-five patients with incomplete cervical cord injury (CCI) were examined. Eight cases were treated conservatively (non-operated group). Seventeen cases underwent surgical intervention (operated group). NO(x) levels in the CSF were measured using the Griess method. The severity of the neurologic impairment was assessed using Frankel's classification and the American Spinal Injury Association motor score (ASIA MS). The degree of neurologic recovery was assessed using Frankel's classification and the ASIA motor recovery percentage (MRP). There was no significant difference in the NO(x) levels between the CCI group (NO(x) levels: 5.9 +/- 0.7 microM) and the 36 control subjects (1 volunteer and 35 patients without neurologic disorders, NO(x) levels: 4.9 +/- 0.3 microM). There was no significant difference in NO(x) levels and MRP between the non-operated group and the operated group. The NO(x) levels in total SCI group were significantly correlated with the ASIA MS and MRP. There was a significant correlation between CSF NO(x) levels and neurologic severity or recovery in incomplete CCI.

Nitric oxide in cerebrospinal fluid and local inducible nitric oxide synthase after cauda equina compression in rats.

We investigated the time course of changes in nitric oxide metabolite (NO2- plus NO3-: NOx) levels in the cerebrospinal fluid and the expression of local inducible nitric oxide synthase following cauda equina compression in rats. Cerebrospinal fluid NOx levels were significantly increased from 12 h to 3 days after compression, and decreased thereafter. Histologically, inducible nitric oxide synthase immunoreactivity was observed in macrophages that infiltrated the dura mater on days 1 and 3 after compression, but not in foamy macrophages in the parenchyma of the cauda equina observed afterwards. The pattern of NOx levels coincided with the appearance of inducible nitric oxide synthase labeled macrophages, indicating a critical role of these cells as the main synthesizers of NOx in the acute stage of cauda equina compression.