Methods: Female Sprague–Dawley rats with induced chronic cervical spinal cord compression were randomly assigned to the following groups: (1) LBP alone; (2) decompression alone; (3) decompression+LBP; (4) no treatment; and (5) sham surgery. Decompression was performed 4 weeks after compression. Outcomes were assessed using neurobehavioral tests, electrophysiology, and histological/immunohistochemical analyses. Results: Baseline spinal cord injury severity was comparable across groups, as confirmed by electrophysiological studies. At 8 weeks postsurgery, rats in the decompression+LBP group showed significantly greater recovery of hindlimb function compared with rats in the decompression alone group. Improvements in somatosensory evoked potential and motor evoked potential latency and amplitude were also more pronounced in the decompression+LBP group. Histological analyses demonstrated reduced myelin vacuolation and increased myelin density with LBP treatment. Conclusions This study provides the first evidence that LBP derived from Chinese herbal medicine enhances neurological and functional recovery when combined with decompression in a rat model of CSM. These findings support further clinical investigation of LBP as an adjunctive therapy in patients with CSM.

Magnetically controlled growing rods have been used to treat early-onset scoliosis for the last 9 years; however, few studies have been published, with only short-term follow-up. The aim of the present study is to systematically review the outcomes of magnetically controlled growing rods in the treatment of early-onset scoliosis with a minimum of 2-year follow-up. Studies were included if patients with early-onset scoliosis (scoliosis diagnosed before 10 years of age) underwent implantation of magnetically controlled growing rods with a minimum of 2-year follow-up. The literature review and data extraction followed the established preferred reporting items for systematic review and meta-analysis guidelines. Data of distraction frequency, number of distractions, distracted length, Cobb angle, kyphosis, T1–T12 length, and T1–S1 length preoperatively, postoperatively, and at final follow-up were collected. Data regarding complications and unplanned reoperations were also extracted. The mean values of these parameters were calculated, or pooled meta-analysis was performed if available. Ten articles were included in this systematic review, with a total of 116 patients and a follow-up period between 23 and 61 months. The mean preoperative Cobb angle and kyphosis angle were 60.1° and 38.0°, respectively, and improved to 35.4° and 26.1° postoperatively. At final follow-up, the Cobb and kyphosis angles were maintained at 36.9° and 36.0°, respectively. The average preoperative T1–T12 and T1–S1 lengths were 180.6 mm and 293.6 mm, respectively, and increased to 198.3 mm and 320.3 mm postoperatively. T1–T12 and T1–S1 lengths were 212.3 mm and 339.3 mm at final follow-up, respectively. The overall rate of patients with complications was 48% (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.38–0.58) and unplanned reoperation 44% (95% CI, 0.33–0.55) after sensitivity analysis. The current evidence from different countries with a minimum of a 2-year follow-up suggests that magnetically controlled growing rods are an effective technique to treat pediatric scoliosis and promote spine growth. However, nearly half of patients still developed complications or required unplanned reoperations.
Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Kyphosis ; Reoperation ; Scoliosis ; Spine