Summary of Key Points • The Harrington rod system was the first internal fixation device that enabled deformity correction. Since its introduction, numerous advances have been made that improve the…
Summary of Key Points • Recurrent lumbar disc herniations are not uncommon, occurring at a rate of 5% to 15% following microdiscectomy surgery. • The clinical presentation in a patient…
Summary of Key Points • Osteoporosis and consequent vertebral and nonvertebral fractures are a major source of mortality and morbidity in the elderly population. • Screening for osteoporosis is based…
Summary of Key Points • Thoracoscopic access to the anterior spine should be considered as an alternative minimally invasive access approach to traditional open and mini-open access procedures. • Thoracoscopy…
Summary of Key Points • Cervical spondylosis is present radiographically in nearly 95% of the population by age 65. • Intervertebral disc desiccation initiates the cascade of cervical spondylosis. •…
Summary of Key Points • Acute low back pain is common and has an excellent short-term prognosis. • Psychosocial variables are superior to structural findings or discography as predictors of…
Summary of Key Points • Low back pain and low back disability are two separate but related issues. • Patients with chronic pain represent significant challenges for the spine surgeon….
Summary of Key Points • Diffuse idiopathic skeletal hyperostosis (DISH) is a noninflammatory disease of unknown etiology that involves the entheses with preference for the thoracic spine. • DISH is…
Summary of Key Points • Lumbar interbody cages are commonly used to supplement fusion procedures and function to stabilize the anterior spine, increase the area for fusion, provide indirect decompression…
Summary of Key Points • Diseases of the sacrum and lumbosacral junction lead to clinically complex problems for surgical treatment and biomechanical stabilization. • The lumbosacral pivot point, the axis…
