OBJECTIVE The authors conducted a retrospective study to compare the implantation of carbon fiber composite frame cages (CFCFCs) to the implantation of polyetheretherketone (PEEK) cages after anterior cervical discectomy for cervical degenerative disc disease. In addition, the predictive factors that influenced fusion or subsidence were investigated. METHODS A total of 58 patients with single...

STUDY DESIGN Randomized controlled trial. PURPOSE We compared the disability and functional outcome after conservative treatment with prolonged physiotherapy versus early surgical intervention in patients with lumbar disk herniation. OVERVIEW OF LITERATURE Lumbar disk herniation is one of the most common causes of job-related disability in individuals less than 45 years old. Conservative tr...

OBJECTIVE We compared the intra- and postoperative differences, as well as the final outcome of patients with herniated lumbar discs who underwent either open discectomy (OD) or microendoscopic discectomy (MED). METHODS We performed a prospective controlled randomized study of 40 patients with sciatica caused by lumbar disc herniations nonresponsive to conservative treatment who underwent OD ...

With laminectomy being widely accepted as the treatment for lumbar disorders, epidural fibrosis (EF) is a common complication for both the patients and the surgeons alike. Currently, EF is thought to cause recurrent postoperative pain after laminectomy or after discectomy. Angelica sinensis is a traditional Chinese medicine which has shown anti-inflammatory, antifibrotic, and antiproliferative ...

INTRODUCTION Coblation nucleoplasty is a minimally invasive method, at middle way between conservative and open surgical treatment of patients with degenerative disc disease and lumbar disc protrusion. Authors compare the outcome of patients treated through the two methods. MATERIAL AND RESULTS Two groups of 80 patients each were treated through open discectomy and nucleoplasty. Patients with...

STUDY DESIGN Clinical study. PURPOSE The dimensions of the working zone for endoscopic lumbar discectomy should be evaluated by preoperative magnetic resonance images. The aim of this study was to analyze the angle of the roots, root area, and foraminal area. OVERVIEW OF LITERATURE Few studies have reported on the triangular working zone during transforaminal endoscopic lumbar discectomy. M...

BACKGROUND Professional basketball players are at risk for lumbar disc herniation (LDH), yet the evidence guiding treatment after operative or nonoperative management of this condition in the National Basketball Association (NBA) is limited. HYPOTHESIS NBA players with LDH will have different performance outcomes based on treatment type. STUDY DESIGN Case-control study. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE ...

OBJECTIVE To explore factors predicting failure of conservative treatment in lumbar-disc herniation. BACKGROUND Sciatica due to lumbar-disc herniation is a common complaint of spine patients. Even though the natural course is favorable, surgery is necessary in at least 10% of cases. Current trends show surgery to be more cost-effective than prolonged conservative care. However; there is limit...

BACKGROUND The Spine Patient Outcomes Research Trial showed an overall advantage for operative compared with nonoperative treatment of lumbar disc herniations. Because a recent randomized trial showed no benefit for operative treatment of a disc at the lumbosacral junction (L5-S1), we reviewed subgroups within the Spine Patient Outcomes Research Trial to assess the effect of herniation level on...

STUDY DESIGN Prospective randomized clinical trial. OBJECTIVE Determine the reasons for, and rates of, secondary surgical intervention up to 5 years at both the index and adjacent levels in patients treated with cervical total disc replacement (TDR) or anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF). Patients undergoing TDR received ProDisc-C. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA Several outcome-based...