Articles tagged with Spinal Column
Fortifying grain foods with folic acid has saved about 1,300 babies each year from being born with serious birth defects of the brain and spine. Despite this progress, many women still do not get enough folic acid, highlighting the need for continued education and supplement use.
A new study by Duke researchers has identified a protein called hevin that plays a critical role in forming brain connections, particularly in the cortex. The discovery sheds light on how disruptions in this process may contribute to conditions such as autism and depression.
A new study found that patients with spinal compression fractures who wore no brace fared as well as patients instructed to wear a brace for treatment, with comparable outcomes in terms of pain and healing. However, prolonged use of the braces may result in muscle deterioration, skin irritation, and additional costs.
A new study has documented how the spine moves during sex and recommends different positions for women with low-back pain. The atlas suggests that women who are extension-intolerant replace spooning with the missionary position to reduce nerve tension and load on tissues.
Schizophrenia and bipolar disorder are associated with dendritic spine loss, suggesting shared pathophysiological features. Individuals with these disorders have reduced average spine density and number of spines per dendrite compared to control group individuals.
A new study from the University of Waterloo has discovered exactly why certain sex positions trigger back pain, revealing recommendations for couples to manage their pain during intimacy. The findings suggest that men with flexion-intolerant back pain should replace spooning with doggy-style sex and use a hip-hinging motion.
A new study using motion capture technology recommends alternative sexual positions for men with low back pain, finding 'quadruped' and 'missionary' positions to be less straining than previously thought. The study aims to provide a scientific basis for individualized recommendations on sexual activity for men with back pain.
Ligaments disruption is a new perspective in the prognosis of Spinal Cord Injury (SCI), offering a more accurate prediction of recovery outcomes. This approach has been published in Neural Regeneration Research and can be an essential tool for physicians in providing care to patients and families.
Researchers found that blood clots are rare in children undergoing spine operations, and most patients can be safely monitored without anti-clotting medication. High-risk groups include children with congenital scoliosis or spinal curvatures part of a syndrome, as well as older children.
Researchers at UW–Madison have built a version of a parathyroid hormone that can stay around longer and at higher concentrations. This breakthrough could lead to better drugs for osteoporosis and diabetes by protecting peptide hormones from degrading enzymes.
A new study links opioid pain relievers to less improvement and higher levels of dissatisfaction following spine surgery. Patients who used opioids before surgery had worse health outcomes at 3 and 12 months post-op, according to a study published in the Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery.
Children with rare mutations in fibrillin-1 and fibrillin-2 genes are four times more likely to develop severe scoliosis than peers with normal versions. Drugs blocking a major growth pathway may prevent scoliosis in affected children.
A phase II study shows romosozumab significantly increases bone mineral density and bone content in the spine and hip compared to teriparatide and placebo. Romosozumab stimulates bone formation and decreases resorption by inhibiting sclerostin, a promising new treatment for postmenopausal osteoporosis.
The NIH Task Force recommends defining chronic low back pain as back pain lasting at least three months, causing pain on at least half of days over the past six months. The task force also suggests a nine-item cLBP Impact Score to assess how back pain affects patients' lives.
Researchers analyzed King Richard III's remains to determine the extent of his scoliosis, a condition characterized by a curved spine. The study found that Richard's condition would have had a small impact on his appearance and likely didn't affect his ability to exercise.
The Too Fit to Fracture Initiative presented exercise recommendations for individuals with osteoporosis and spine fractures. The panel recommends a multicomponent exercise program with resistance and balance training, and daily balance training and endurance training are recommended for all individuals with osteoporosis.
Researchers at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center have developed a new method of computer-guided spine surgery, which uses high-speed CT imaging to navigate the spinal column from different angles. This technique improves precision and accuracy in placing reconstruction screws, reducing complications and post-operative pain.
Only 10% of spine surgeons follow guidelines recommending routine psychological screenings before major surgery. Highly experienced surgeons and those with high patient volume more likely to use assessments, contrary to expectations that academic centers would lead the way.
A new team approach has improved safety and reduced rates of major complications by two thirds for complex spinal reconstructive surgery. The standardized protocol before, during, and after the surgery involves two spine surgeons, a live preoperative screening conference, and monitoring bleeding during the operation.
A study by Beaumont research found that minimally invasive transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion reduces chronic low back pain, hospital stays, complications and scarring. Patients demonstrated high satisfaction rates, being completely pain-free and returning to work and daily activities.
A new UCLA study found that married men who waited until 25 or older to get married had stronger bones than those who got married earlier. In contrast, women with supportive partners had greater bone strength, regardless of their age at marriage. The study suggests that marriage quality plays a significant role in bone health.
A study of 1,244 patients with lumbar disc herniation found that surgery led to greater long-term improvement in pain, functioning, and disability compared to nonsurgical treatment. Patients who underwent surgery showed significant reductions in pain scores, physical functioning, and disability.
A group of Chinese experts collaborated to establish a standard for the management of acute thoracolumbar spine and spinal cord injury. The consensus, published in Neural Regeneration Research, provides guidelines for evaluating and treating these injuries based on evidence-based medicine and clinical experiences.
Researchers have discovered a promising new treatment that can help people with spinal cord injuries walk better. The study involved 19 participants who received short periods of breathing low oxygen levels, resulting in improved walking speed and endurance.
A systematic review found that early spinal decompression surgery following traumatic spinal cord injury is associated with significantly greater motor and neurological improvement. However, the evidence supporting early spinal surgery lacks robustness due to various sources of bias.
A new study published in Spine found that spinal injuries are present in 11 percent of casualties from the US Department of Defense Trauma Registry for the years 2005 to 2009. Fractures accounted for more than 80 percent of spinal injuries, with explosions causing three-fourths of these fractures.
Researchers used PET scans to identify hypermetabolism in the spine, indicating a potentially reversible phase of degenerative cervical myelopathy. Patients with this marker showed significant improvement after decompressive surgery, while those without exhibited no change.
Researchers found that cocaine exposure leads to rapid growth of new dendritic spines in the frontal cortex, enabling mice to strongly prefer drug cues over other stimuli. This study sheds light on the brain's role in drug-seeking behavior and may inform strategies for tackling addiction.
A study published in Spine highlights the increased risk of complications among Medicaid beneficiaries after spinal surgery, even after adjusting for other factors. The researchers found that Medicaid recipients were 68% more likely to experience adverse outcomes than patients with private insurance.
Research findings suggest that active smoking significantly increases perioperative complications, including intraoperative blood loss, delayed wound healing, and adverse cardiopulmonary effects. Neurosurgeons are urged to advise patients to quit smoking before surgery to minimize risks.
Researchers at Smithsonian Institution and Natural History Museum confirmed the origins of remora fish's sucking disc as a modified dorsal fin through detailed study of larval stages. The findings suggest that small changes in fin development led to the formation of the disc, disproving previous theories.
A study published in Spine journal found that telerehabilitation using Skype and video motion analysis software has good accuracy compared to face-to-face examinations for assessing patients with low back pain. The system showed consistent results for the same therapist at different times and for assessment by independent therapists.
During the April 2011 tornado disaster, neurosurgeons at the University of Alabama at Birmingham Medical Center treated patients with spinal cord injuries, most of which were limited to the thoracic and lumbar regions. The authors highlight the importance of disaster preparedness in treating such injuries.
A new study finds that using a non-focused standard trauma CT protocol can result in hundreds of unnecessary CT examinations. The study suggests that imaging should be dictated by patient history and physical examination findings to reduce CT utilization, imaging costs, and radiation dose by at least 50%
A new algorithm optimizes tube potential for patients undergoing lumbar spine CT exams, resulting in a 41% reduction in radiation dose. The study found that lower kilovoltage images maintained diagnostic quality despite increased image noise.
A Canadian study found that more than half of lower-back MRIs ordered at two hospitals were either inappropriate or of questionable value for patients. Family doctors were more likely to order these tests compared to specialists, highlighting the need for better education on when to use MRI scans.
A recent study presented at the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons meeting found that spine patients who quit smoking experience diminished pain. Non-smokers showed significant improvements in reported pain, while those who continued to smoke saw no clinically significant improvement.
Researchers have developed a novel procedure to isolate DNA from cactus tissue using cactus spines, overcoming challenges posed by polysaccharide-based mucilage content. This method simplifies genetic work and is less invasive than traditional sampling methods.
Patients with spinal stenosis who receive steroid injections show less improvement in pain and physical functioning, regardless of whether they undergo surgery. The study suggests that ESI may cause worsening of spinal narrowing or nerve impingement, leading to more complicated surgeries.
A recent study found that 25% of hospital readmissions for spine surgery patients were not due to true quality-of-care issues. Planned readmissions, unrelated surgeries, and rescheduled procedures were among the cases not counted against hospitals. The study suggests modifying the calculation method to make it more clinically relevant.
A study by pediatric orthopaedic surgeons at Le Bonheur Children's Hospital found that spine-related injuries from ATVs are more common in older children and females, with a significant increase in non-contiguous spinal fractures. The researchers emphasize the need for parents to recognize ATV safety risks and take preventive measures.
The January issue of Neurosurgical Focus explores the science of neurosurgical practice, shifting priorities from medical discoveries to patient safety, quality of care, and economic implications. Professional societies have launched a national practice data collection platform, N2QOD, to advance quality and outcomes.
Dendritic spines play a vital role in isolating and amplifying electrical signals received at synapses, enabling neurons to communicate with each other. The discovery sheds light on the brain's complex processing mechanisms and may lead to advances in treating diseases like Alzheimer's and Huntington's.
A recent study by Henry Ford Hospital found that steroid injections used to treat back pain can lead to significant bone density loss in postmenopausal women. The research highlights the need for caution when prescribing epidural steroids for patients at risk of bone fragility.
A study by Henry Ford Hospital found that a significant number of CT scans for cervical spine injuries could be avoided if physicians followed the National Emergency X-Radiology Study (NEXUS) criteria. The study showed that adherence to these guidelines reduced unnecessary CT scans from 24% to 16%.
Researchers at Henry Ford Health found a significant link between steroid injections and increased risk of bone fractures in the spine. The study revealed a 29% higher fracture rate with each injection, highlighting patient safety concerns.
A study published in Current Biology demonstrates that male genital shape affects fertilization success in a species of seed beetle. Males with longer genital spines produced substantially more offspring than those with shorter spines, highlighting the importance of competition among males in driving evolutionary changes.
The Otton frog uses a pseudo-thumb with sharp spikes to fight and mate, with males demonstrating larger thumbs and jabbing responses during combat. The discovery sheds light on the evolutionary origins of this unique trait.
A study by Loyola University Medical Center neurosurgeon Beejal Amin found that 25% of spine surgery patients' readmissions were not due to true quality-of-care issues. This suggests the current calculation method overstated true spine surgery-related readmissions.
A study published in Canadian Medical Association Journal found that the Canadian C-spine rule is more accurate than NEXUS in diagnosing important cervical spine injuries. The rule's better diagnostic accuracy and lower rate of false negatives make it a preferable choice for assessing cervical spine imaging needs.
Researchers have gained insight into the microscopic mechanics of a sea urchin's spine, which enables it to absorb impacts and stresses while maintaining strength. The unique structure of the spine allows for an advantageous blend of elasticity and brittleness.
Researchers have created 3D digital reconstructions of two 305-million-year-old juvenile insects using high-resolution CT scanning. The fossils provide valuable information about the biology and diet of these ancient insects, including one with sharp spines that may not exist today.
Mercyhurst University researchers have developed new protocols for managing cervical spine injuries in football players, with the goal of achieving the highest level of care. The research, conducted in collaboration with Sports Medicine Concepts and the NFL, aims to standardize emergency management protocols and improve on-field response.
The study found that while initial results of 2-level axial lumbar interbody fusion were promising, complications arose within 2 years, including screw breakage and rod detachment. Solid spinal fusion was achieved in only 8% of patients at 24 months postoperatively.
Researchers found that a diet enriched with DHA and curcumin can protect the injured spinal cord and minimize clinical and biochemical effects of myelopathy in rats. The combination reduces inflammation, provides structural material to plasma membranes, and produces strong anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects.
Researchers identified five biomarkers that can predict the progression of structural damage in the spine of patients with Ankylosing Spondylitis, who are already at high risk of disease progression. These biomarkers include matrix metalloproteinase 3, bone-morphogenetic protein 2, and vascular endothelial growth factor.
Complex networks from different disciplines exhibit similar core structures, known as skeletons, which are shaped by basic growth mechanisms. This discovery could help predict how diseases or information spread across networks.
Researchers at EPFL successfully rehabilitated rats with spinal cord injuries using a combination of robotic harnesses and electrical-chemical stimulation. The study, published in Science, reveals that the dormant spinal column can be awakened to restore voluntary movement, suggesting new methods for treating paralysis.
Researchers at Ohio State University found that tilting cars on the assembly line can reduce autoworker strain, improving safety and efficiency. The study compares two methods: a cantilevered chair and a car carriage system, with the latter proving more effective in reducing stress for nine different tasks.
A study reevaluating the long-term effects of alendronate on bone fractures found that patients with low bone density at high risk of spine fractures can benefit from continuing therapy. However, for other types of fractures, there is limited data on continued treatment benefits.