BACKGROUND Not all patients with spinal cord compression due to cervical spondylotic myelopathy (CSM) have clinical symptoms and signs. The aim of this study was to investigate and compare the imaging findings in asymptomatic and symptomatic patients with CSM with mild to moderate cervical spinal cord compression. MATERIAL AND METHODS A retrospective clinical study included 68 patients. Group A...

This report aimed to present successfully treated cases of lumbar spinal stenosis coexisting with mild segmental instability and vertebral body fracture. Two patients presented chief complaints sciatica back pain that had lasted for 2 months. Preoperative images revealed compression Interspinous ligamentoplasty was done under general anesthesia. Treatment outcomes were assessed by numeric ratin...

We examined the reliability of radiological findings in predicting segmental instability in 112 patients (56 men, 56 women) with a mean age of 66.5 years (27 to 84) who had degenerative disease of the lumbar spine. They underwent intra-operative biomechanical evaluation using a new measurement system. Biomechanical instability was defined as a segment with a neutral zone > 2 mm/N. Risk factor a...

AIM Our goal was to investigate the long-term results of anterior lumbar interbody fusion combined with percutaneous pedicle screw fixation for degenerative lumbar instability. MATERIAL AND METHODS Forty-seven patients that had undergone anterior lumbar interbody fusion combined with percutaneous pedicle screw fixation for degenerative lumbar instability at Tianjin Hospital between May 2003 a...

The lumbar spine, although often described as a single functional unit, is composed of 5 vertebrae forming what are called "motion segments" connected in series.5 Each motion segment consists of 2 adjacent vertebral bodies and the connecting ligaments.6 Spinal motion segments represent the smallest segments of the spine exhibiting biomechanical characteristics similar to those of the entire spi...

OBJECTIVE Decompressive laminectomy is one of the most commonly used surgical methods for the treatment of spinal stenosis. We retrospectively examined the risk factors that induce spinal instability, including slippage (spondylolisthesis) and/or segmental angulation after decompressive laminectomy on the lumbar spine. METHODS From January 1, 2006 to June 30, 2010, 94 consecutive patients und...

Identification of the source of pain in patients with chronic low back pain remains a challenging subject. The non-invasive investigations lack specificity. The value of invasive tests has also been controversial. At one time discograms used to be considered as the only specific investigation identifying the source of pain prior to fusion surgery; many studies however proved that this is not tr...

 Background: Excessive lumbar vertebrae translation and rotation in sagittal plane has been attributed as an associated factor of lumbar segmental instability (LSI) and low back pain (LBP). Reduction of these abnormalities improves back pain. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of core stability exercise on the translation and rotation of lumbar vertebrae in sagittal plan...

STUDY DESIGN A cross-sectional study. OBJECTIVE To evaluate the segmental instability of wedging segments using dynamic films and the impact of osteophyte formation on segmental motion in degenerative lumbar scoliosis (DLS). SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA Evaluation of segmental instability in DLS is essential for spinal surgery to make the decision "fusion or not fusion." Some previous studies...