Methods: We evaluated 100 consecutive surgical patients with CM and divided them into the following groups: 80s (34 patients; mean age, 83.9 years), 70s (33 patients; mean age, 73.9 years), and 69 or younger (33 patients; mean age, 60.9 years). The clinical symptoms and physical signs were evaluated and recorded. Results: Although the recovery rate decreased with increasing age, all groups demonstrated a significant improvement in clinical symptoms relative to preoperative values. The Hoffman sign and hyperreflexia of the triceps tendon were, respectively, present in 82% and 88% of patients in the 80s group, 74% and 64% of those in the 70s group, and 69% and 82% of those in the 69 or younger group, with no significant difference among the groups. In contrast, the rates of hyperreflexia of the patellar and Achilles tendons were, respectively, 59% and 32% in the 80s group, 85% and 48% in the 70s group, and 91% and 70% in the 69 or younger group, with significant differences. Conclusions The positivity rate of the lower extremity hyperreflexia decreased significantly with increasing age in patients with CM. The absence of hyperreflexia, particularly lower extremity, is not uncommon in elderly patients with suspected CM.

Methods: Patients with degenerative lumbar diseases, whose MRIs detected BME, were enrolled. On a T2-weighted fat-saturated MRI, BME appeared as a high-intensity region adjacent to the vertebral endplate. We calculated the contrast ratios (CRs) of BME and normal bone marrow using the signal intensities of BME, normal bone marrow, and the spinal cord. On computed tomography, we calculated Hounsfield unit (HU) values in the same area as BME, the sclerotic endplate, and normal bone marrow to assess bone density. Results: There were 16 men and 14 women, with an average age of 73.5 years. The mean CRs of BME and normal bone marrow were −0.015±0.056 and −0.407±0.023, respectively. BME’s CR was significantly higher than that of normal bone marrow (p<0.01). The HU values in the same area as BME, the sclerotic endplate, and normal bone marrow were 251.9±24.6, 828.3±35.6, and 98.1±9.3, respectively; these values were significantly different from each other (p<0.01). Conclusions The CR on MRI is a useful quantitative assessment tool for BME in patients with degenerative lumbar diseases.

Wide resection of malignant bone and soft tissue tumors of the extremities may require resection of muscles, which correspondingly impairs limb movements. We describe a 67-year old man with a malignant soft tissue tumor of the right upper arm. Preoperatively, there was no impairment of right upper extremity function. The patient underwent wide resection of the tumor and triceps muscle. Postoperative rehabilitation included range of motion exercises, residual muscle strength exercises, and activities of daily living (ADL) exercises. One week postoperatively, the patient could independently perform the ADL exercises. Two weeks postoperatively, the patient scored 2 during manual muscle testing (MMT) for elbow extension, indicating a complete range of motion in a gravity-eliminated position. However, the patient could not raise the arm without bending it. Considering the needs of the patient, we prescribed an elbow extension brace to support the upper limb while being raised. With this brace, the patient was able to sustain elbow extension during upper limb elevation. Three months postoperatively, the patient's elbow joint extension remained MMT 2, grip strength was 28 kg, and the International Society of Limb Salvage and Musculoskeletal Tumor Society score was 76.7％．Although the triceps muscle was resected, there was no problem with the patient's ADL. However, the patient could not maintain elbow extension in an anti-gravity position while raising the upper limb. In such cases, prescribing an elbow brace may be useful.

Wide resection of malignant bone and soft tissue tumors of the extremities may require resection of muscles, which correspondingly impairs limb movements. We describe a 67-year old man with a malignant soft tissue tumor of the right upper arm. Preoperatively, there was no impairment of right upper extremity function. The patient underwent wide resection of the tumor and triceps muscle. Postoperative rehabilitation included range of motion exercises, residual muscle strength exercises, and activities of daily living (ADL) exercises. One week postoperatively, the patient could independently perform the ADL exercises. Two weeks postoperatively, the patient scored 2 during manual muscle testing (MMT) for elbow extension, indicating a complete range of motion in a gravity-eliminated position. However, the patient could not raise the arm without bending it. Considering the needs of the patient, we prescribed an elbow extension brace to support the upper limb while being raised. With this brace, the patient was able to sustain elbow extension during upper limb elevation. Three months postoperatively, the patient’s elbow joint extension remained MMT 2, grip strength was 28 kg, and the International Society of Limb Salvage and Musculoskeletal Tumor Society score was 76.7％．Although the triceps muscle was resected, there was no problem with the patient’s ADL. However, the patient could not maintain elbow extension in an anti-gravity position while raising the upper limb. In such cases, prescribing an elbow brace may be useful.

Methods: A total of 105 subjects were included (48 men and 57 women; mean age, 63.2±2.7 years; range, 22–84 years). We analyzed five functional spinal unit levels (L1–S1) and evaluated the T2 values of the anterior annulus fibrosus (AF), nucleus pulposus, and posterior AF. We compared the low back pain (LBP) Visual Analog Scale (VAS) scores and the T2 values in each decade with or without SN. Results: There were no remarkable differences in SN prevalence rate regarding age decade or gender. SNs were more prevalent in the upper 2 levels (70.3%). LBP VAS scores with and without SN were 64.7±4.3 mm and 61.9±2.8 mm, respectively, with no significant differences between the groups (p =0.62). The T2 values of anterior AF with SN were significantly lower than those without SN in patients in their 50s, 60s, 70s, and 80s (p <0.01). Conclusions SN presence is not itself a risk factor for CLBP; however, it indicates IVDD of the anterior AF in subjects with SN who are ≥50 years old.

No abstract available.
Retrospective Studies ; Risk Factors ; Vertebroplasty

STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective case-control study. PURPOSE: To evaluate the primary outcomes and radiographic results of percutaneous vertebroplasty (PVP) in patients with singlelevel osteoporotic vertebral fracture (OVF) with intravertebral cleft (IVC) to identify the risk factors for cement loosening after PVP. OVERVIEW OF LITERATURE: PVP is a widely accepted method for managing painful OVF; however, cement loosening occasionally occurs with poor outcomes. METHODS: This retrospective study involved 195 patients treated with PVP for single-level OVF with IVC. Six months thereafter, the primary outcomes were evaluated using the Visual Analog Scale (VAS) for back pain and the modified Oswestry Disability Index. Computed tomography was conducted to detect cement loosening. Possible risk factors, such as age, sex, wedging angle, intravertebral instability, Parkinson’s disease, spinous process fracture, ankylosing spinal hyperostosis, split vertebrae, and adjacent intervertebral vacuum, were assessed. RESULTS: Forty-nine patients (25%) experienced cement loosening 6 months after PVP. The mean VAS scores were significantly higher in patients with cement loosening than in those without (50 vs. 26 mm, respectively; p < 0.01). Cement loosening was closely associated with intravertebral instability (odds ratio [OR], 1.20; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.04–1.40; p =0.015), Parkinson’s disease (OR, 54.31; 95% CI, 4.47–659.53; p =0.002), spinous process fracture (OR, 7.11; 95% CI, 1.65–30.60; p =0.009), and split vertebrae (OR, 11.59; 95% CI, 1.64–82.02; p =0.014). CONCLUSIONS: Patients with cement loosening experienced worse back pain than those without cement loosening. The important risk factors that influenced cement loosening after PVP were high intravertebral instability, Parkinson’s disease, spinous process fracture, and split vertebrae.
Back Pain ; Case-Control Studies ; Humans ; Hyperostosis ; Methods ; Retrospective Studies ; Risk Factors ; Spine ; Vacuum ; Vertebroplasty ; Visual Analog Scale

STUDY DESIGN: Prospective observational study. PURPOSE: This prospective analysis aimed to evaluate the efficacy and bone-bonding rate of hybrid hydroxyapatite (HA) spacers in expansive laminoplasty. OVERVIEW OF LITERATURE: Various types of spacers or plates have been developed for expansive laminoplasty. METHODS: Expansive open-door laminoplasty was performed in 146 patients with cervical myelopathy; 450 hybrid HA spacers and 41 autogenous bone spacers harvested from the spinous processes were grafted into the opened side of each lamina. The patients were followed up using computed tomography (CT), and their bone-bonding rates for hybrid HA and autogenous spacers, bone-fusion rates of the hinges of the laminae, and complications associated with the implants were then examined. RESULTS: Clinical symptoms significantly improved in all patients, and no major complications related to the procedure were noted. The hybrid HA spacers exhibited sufficient bone bonding on postoperative CT. The hinges completely fused in over 95% patients within 1 year of the procedure. Only 4 spacers (0.9%) developed lamina sinking, and most expanded laminae maintained their positions without sinking or floating throughout the follow-up period. CONCLUSIONS: Hybrid HA spacers contributed to high bone-fusion rates of the spacers and hinges of the laminae, and no complications were associated with their use. Cervical laminoplasty with these spacers is safe and simple, and it yields sufficient fixation strength while ensuring sufficient bone bonding during the immediate postoperative period.
Cervical Vertebrae ; Durapatite ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Laminoplasty ; Observational Study ; Postoperative Period ; Prospective Studies ; Spinal Cord Diseases ; Transplants