Biomechanically designed Curve Specific Corrective Exercise for Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis gives significant outcomes in an Adult: A case report.

Background: This study presents findings on improvements to the Frontal and Sagittal Cobb angle, Global Spinal balance, and lung function parameters (FEV1, PEF) in an adult male with idiopathic scoliosis suffering from pain during ADL and sports activities who was treated with a biomechanically designed exercise protocol. Case Presentation: The 26-year-old male reported upper and middle back pain which worsened when playing cricket. Whole spine standing x-Ray AP view revealed a right thoracic Scoliosis (Lenke 1 curve) of Cobb angle 48.6° with left lumbar compensatory curve of 24.7°, Thoracic hypo kyphosis of 9.9°, and VAS rating for pain of 8. The patient was treated with myofascial release, stretching, aerobics, strengthening exercises, "Breathing with core" for stabilization, and biomechanically designed curve specific corrective exercises. Results: Re-assessment 32 weeks post intervention demonstrated significant reduction in the major Cobb angle by 13.8°, minor Cobb angle by 9.5°, Thoracic hypokyphosis normalized to 37.8°, Coronal balance improved by 17.4 mm, Sagittal balance regained by 4.2 mm, Spine ROM improved by a total of 6.5 cm, Enhancement of pulmonary function of FEV1 by 7% and PEF by 18 litres/min, and dramatic improvement in aesthetics and pain perception. Conclusion: The biomechanically designed exercise protocol helped straighten the curve through curve specific corrective exercises and stabilized the curve by "Breathing with core". It also treated the associated signs and symptoms of spinal pain syndrome by myofascial release and proper ergonomics, pulmonary dysfunction by aerobics, and muscle tightness and weakness (due to altered length-tension) by stretching and strengthening.

Efficiency of vitamin D supplementation in patients with mechanical low back ache.

BACKGROUND: Preliminary evidence suggests an association of hypovitaminosis D (hypo.D) with mechanical Low back ache (mLBA). AIM: This study was designed to 1. Explore the relationship of hypovitaminosis D with mLBA in the absence of other confounding factors 2. Formulate and validate an appropriate treatment protocol and 3. Explore the differences in outcomes with various oral formulations of vitamin D available in Indian market. MATERIALS & METHODS: Three randomised groups of patients with mLBA and hypo.D between 18 and 45 years of age without any co morbid conditions were studied for the effectiveness of adjunctive vit.D supplementation of 6,00,000 IUs (60,000 IUs/day for ten consecutive days) in the form of granule or nano syrup or soft gel capsule for the treatment of mLBA. Review evaluation of pain, functional disability and vit.D was done at three weeks and an additional evaluation of vit.D was done at nine months. Evaluation with 3,00,000 IUs of vit.D (60,000 IUs/day for five consecutive days) was done with nano syrup in a different cohort. RESULTS: High prevalence of hypo.D (96%) was noted in patients with mLBA. Significant improvement was noted after supplementation of vit.D. The subjects of nano syrup group have shown significantly better improvement compared to others (P < 0.000). Non obese and chronic patients have shown significantly better results than their peers. Though there was significant difference in vit.D before treatment, the difference of improvement between the genders, deficiency and insufficiency, in-door and out-door, smokers and non smoker subgroups was not significant. Seasonal variation in vit.D before and after the treatment was significant. CONCLUSION: Hypovitaminosis D can be a potential causative factor for mLBA in addition to the other known causes. Proper evaluation and adjunctive vit.D supplementation can effectively break the vicious cycle of low back ache with significant improvement in serum vit.D level, effective relief of pain and significant functional improvement without any adverse effects. Improvement in vit.D was not significantly related to its initial status and obese individuals have shown significantly lesser improvement. The results with nano syrup formulation were significantly better compared to others. Formulation based dosage adjustments assume significance in view of these results.

Reconstruction of Traumatic, Open Supracondylar Femoral Fractures by Autologous Fibular Strut Grafting and Cortico-Cancellous Bone Grafting-A Single-Centre, Observational Study.

OBJECTIVES: To study the safety and efficacy of staged reconstruction of distal femoral (supracondylar) bone loss using autologous fibular strut, cortico-cancellous bone grafting. DESIGN: Single-centre, observational study, with review of literature. SETTING: Urban Level I Trauma Center. PATIENTS/PARTICIPANTS: Eighteen consecutive patients (mean age: 35 ± 8.5 years, all males) with open supracondylar fracture and intercondylar extension (OTA/AO type C3), operated between January 2010 and February 2014 with severe bone loss in 11 patients and moderate loss in 7. INTERVENTION: Single free fibular strut was used in 12 femurs and dual fibula in 5 femurs with autologous cortico-cancellous bone grafting in all. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Clinical union, radiological union, and knee function using the Sanders' score. RESULTS: Mean follow-up was 45.5 ± 17 months. The mean radiological union time was 18 ± 2.6 weeks. Functional assessment after union revealed one patient with excellent knee function, 9 with good, 8 with fair, function according to Sanders' scoring. The mean knee range was 49 degrees (range 5-110 degrees) in which 9 patients achieved a knee range >80 degrees. Mean limb shortening was 2 cm (range 0-7 cm). No limb shortening was observed in 5 patients. Patients were pain free and had no significant graft or donor site morbidity. CONCLUSIONS: Staged fibular strut grafting, cortico-cancellous bone grafting for traumatic open supracondylar femoral fractures with significant bone loss is a promising technique with a good safety profile and long-term efficacy. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Therapeutic Level IV. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.

Worsening of Callus Hyperplasia after Bisphosphonate Treatment in Type V Osteogenesis Imperfecta.

BACKGROUND: Type V osteogenesis imperfecta is characterized by hyperplastic callus formation and interosseus membrane calcification. CASE CHARACTERISTICS: A 16-year-old boy who presented with history of recurrent fractures, had hard persistent swellings at fracture sites, and had radiographic features of hyperplastic callus and interosseus membrane calcification. OUTCOME: Sequence analysis of the IFITM5 gene revealed the c.-14 C>T mutation. The patient had significant exacerbation of callus hyperplasia after initiation of bisphosphonate therapy, which reversed following cessation of the treatment. MESSAGE: Bisphosphonates may exacerbate callus hyperplasia, and may therefore have to be used with caution in patients with type V osteogenesis imperfecta.

Spinal and Epidural Anesthesia in Patients With Recent Stable Fractures of Vertebral Column.

BACKGROUND: The use of central neuraxial block (CNB) in patients with spinal injuries with or without spinal cord injury continues to be a contentious issue due to paucity of evidence supporting or refuting its use. There are only a few case reports reporting the use of the technique in these patients. We performed a retrospective record review of patients who underwent neuraxial blockade for lower limb orthopedic surgery in the presence of coexisting recent spine injury (defined as spine injury within 1 month) to assess the occurrence of postoperative deterioration of spinal cord function or occurrence of new spinal cord dysfunction. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The hospital records of patients with recent stable traumatic fractures of the vertebral column who underwent lower limb orthopedic surgery under CNB from January 2010 to December 2013 were reviewed. Data collected included age, sex, level of fracture, number of vertebrae injured, presence of neurological deficits, interval between injury and surgery, number of surgeries, level of CNB, number of vertebral segments between the site of injury and CNB, position of patient used for CNB and surgery, and perioperative adverse hemodynamic events. All patients underwent detailed postoperative neurological examination and any deterioration or occurrence of new spinal cord dysfunction was noted. RESULTS: Nineteen patients underwent 21 CNBs for lower limb orthopedic procedures. There were 12 men and 7 women. Thoracolumbar area (18/19) was the commonest site of fractures. Two patients had neurological deficits due to cervical spine trauma. More than 50% of the patients had multiple bone fractures and nearly 30% had associated nonorthopedic trauma. Six patients underwent surgery within the first week (4 to 7 d) after trauma. In 80% of the patients, there was a gap of atleast 2 vertebrae between the level of injury and CNB administration. There were no perioperative adverse hemodynamic events requiring prolonged inotropic support. None of the patients had neurological deterioration or new changes. CONCLUSIONS: Spinal and epidural anesthesia in patients with recent stable fractures of the spine was not associated with adverse neurological events. The findings of this study may be particularly relevant to patients with recent stable vertebral fractures who require surgery but present with conditions that place them at high risk for general anesthesia.

The preoperative and intraoperative risk factors for early postoperative mechanical ventilation after scoliosis surgery: A retrospective study.

BACKGROUND: Patients undergoing corrective surgery for scoliosis of spine are commonly ventilated in our institute after the operation. Postoperative mechanical ventilation (PMV) and subsequent prolongation of intensive care unit stay are associated with increase in medical expenditure and complications such as ventilator-associated pneumonia. Identification of factors which may contribute to PMV and their modification may help in allocation of resources effectively. The present study was performed to identify preoperative and intraoperative factors associated with early PMV after scoliosis surgery. METHODS: One hundred and two consecutive patients who underwent operation for scoliosis correction between January 2006 to July 2011 were reviewed retrospectively. Patients requiring PMV included patients who were not extubated in the operating room and were continued on mechanical ventilation. Preoperative and intraoperative factors which were analysed included age, gender, weight, cardiorespiratory function, presence of kyphosis, number and level of vertebrae involved, surgical approach, whether thoracoplasty was done, duration of surgery, blood loss, fluids and blood transfused, hypothermia and use of antifibrinolytics. RESULTS: The average age of the patients was 14.31±3.78 years with female preponderance (57.8%). Univariate analysis found that longer fusions of vertebrae (more than 8), blood loss, amount of crystalloids infused, blood transfused and hypothermia were significantly associated with PMV (P<0.05). Independent risk factors for PMV were longer fusion (Odds Ratio (OR), 1.290; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.038-1.604) and hypothermia (OR, 0.096; 95% CI, 0.036-0.254; P<0.05). CONCLUSION: The authors identified that longer fusions and hypothermia were independent risk factors for early PMV. Implementation of measures to prevent hypothermia may result in decrease in PMV.