Surgery

Orthopedic surgery generally safe for patients age 80 and older

Over the past decade, a greater number of patients, age 80 and older, are having elective orthopaedic surgery. A new study appearing in the Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery (JBJS) found that these surgeries are generally ...

Diseases, Conditions, Syndromes

Blood transfusions for spinal fusion holding steady

(HealthDay)—Among U.S. patients undergoing spinal fusion, the rates of allogeneic blood transfusion (ALBT) increased from 2000 to 2009, while predonated autologous blood transfusion (PR-ABT) rates decreased, according to ...

Diseases, Conditions, Syndromes

Diagnosis of pseudarthrosis after fusion remains difficult

(HealthDay)—There is no definitive method besides surgical exploration to make the diagnosis of pseudarthrosis following spinal fusion surgery, according to a review published in the March 1 issue of The Spine Journal.

Diseases, Conditions, Syndromes

Pre-op pain patterns affect stenosis surgery outcomes

(HealthDay)—For patients with spinal stenosis without degenerative spondylolisthesis, predominance of back pain (BP) versus leg pain (LP) is associated with worse surgical outcomes, according to a study published in the ...

Surgery

Low BMI tied to better surgical scoliosis curve correction

(HealthDay)—For patients undergoing spinal fusion for adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS), low body mass index (BMI) is associated with greater percent correction of thoracic curves, according to a study published in ...

Diseases, Conditions, Syndromes

Worse outcomes for early post-lumbar spinal fusion rehab

(HealthDay)—Beginning rehabilitation at six weeks as opposed to 12 weeks post-lumbar spinal fusion is associated with higher costs and poorer outcomes, according to a study published in the Nov. 1 issue of Spine.

Medical research

New technology may boost bone growth response for spinal fusion

(Medical Xpress)—A spinal interbody fusion implant with a roughened titanium alloy surface provides an enhanced environment for bone formation, implant stability and fusion compared to one with a smooth titanium alloy surface, ...

Surgery

Unplanned readmission common after spine fusion

(HealthDay)—For patients undergoing spine fusion for adult spinal deformity, unplanned hospital readmissions are relatively common and are often related to surgical site infections, according to a study published in the ...

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