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Lumbo-sacral transitional vertebrae (LSTV) are one of the most common congenital variances of the spine. They are associated with an increased frequency of degeneration in the cranial adjacent segment. Hypermobility and concomitant increased loads are discussed as a possible reason for segmental degeneration. We therefore examined the lumbar and segmental motion distribution in patients with LSTV with flexion-extension radiographs. A retrospective study of 51 patients with osteochondrosis L5/S1 with flexion and extension radiographs was performed. Of these, 17 patients had LSTV and were matched 1:1 for age and sex with patients without LSTV out of the collective of the remaining 34 patients. The lumbar and segmental range of motion (RoM) by segmental lordosis angle and the segmental wedge angle were determined. Normal distribution of parameters was observed by Kolmogorov-Smirnov-test. Parametric data were compared by paired T-test. Non-parametric data were compared by Wilcoxon-rank-sum-test. Correlations were observed using Spearman's Rank correlation coefficient. A p-value <0.05 was stated as statistically significant.

Low back pain (LBP) is the leading cause of disability worldwide. While studies often focus on the relationship between magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings and symptoms or the link between pain and disability, comprehensive assessments that incorporate both structural and functional impairments are lacking. This study prospectively includes standardized questionnaires, medical histories, clinical exams, and lumbar–pelvic MRI. Participants were grouped by pain status, physical activity, structural impairments (e.g., Pfirrmann, Krämer, Fujiwara, Meyerding), and posture/mobility deviations. Data were analyzed using the Kruskal–Wallis test. Of the 1262 participants, 392 (31%) reported chronic low back pain (cLBP), 226 (18%) had intermittent low back pain (iLBP), and 335 (27%) were pain-free. Significant differences were observed in high physical activity levels based on WHO criteria (cLBP: 79%, iLBP: 78%, no-BP(2): 86%, p = 0.020, η2 = 0.008). Morphological impairments were more prevalent in cLBP (75%) and iLBP (76%) compared to no-BP(2) (55%) (p = 0.000, η2 = 0.043). Functional impairments showed similar patterns (cLBP: 42%, iLBP: 51%, no-BP(2): 38%, p = 0.014, η2 = 0.010). Participants with functional impairments tended to be younger. Consequently, the current classification system for diagnostics needs to incorporate alternative categories to more accurately differentiate types of back pain, which could enhance therapeutic outcomes.

Scoliosis and Scheuermann’s disease are common spinal deformities that affect a substantial population, particularly adolescents, often impacting their quality of life. This comprehensive review aims to present a detailed understanding of these conditions, their diagnosis, and various treatment strategies. Through an extensive exploration of current literature, the review discusses the etiology of these spinal deformities and the use of diagnostic tools such as X-rays and MRI. It further delves into the range of treatment options available, from conservative approaches such as physiotherapy and bracing to more invasive surgical interventions. The review underscores the necessity of an individualized treatment approach, taking into account factors such as the patient’s age, the severity of the curvature, and overall health. This all-encompassing perspective on scoliosis and Scheuermann’s disease will aid in evidence-based decision making in their management with the goal of improving patient outcomes.

Study design Narrative review. Objectives With an aging population, the prevalence of osteoporosis is continuously rising. As osseous integrity is crucial for bony fusion and implant stability, previous studies have shown osteoporosis to be associated with an increased risk for implant failure and higher reoperation rates after spine surgery. Thus, our review’s purpose was to provide an update of evidence-based solutions in the surgical treatment of osteoporosis patients. Methods We summarize the existing literature regarding changes associated with decreased bone mineral density (BMD) and resulting biomechanical implications for the spine as well as multidisciplinary treatment strategies to avoid implant failures in osteoporotic patients. Results Osteoporosis is caused by an uncoupling of the bone remodeling cycle based on an unbalancing of bone resorption and formation and resulting reduced BMD. The reduction in trabecular structure, increased porosity of cancellous bone and decreased cross-linking between trabeculae cause a higher risk of complications after spinal implant-based surgeries. Thus, patients with osteoporosis require special planning considerations, including adequate preoperative evaluation and optimization. Surgical strategies aim towards maximizing screw pull-out strength, toggle resistance, as well as primary and secondary construct stability. Conclusions As osteoporosis plays a crucial role in the fate of patients undergoing spine surgery, surgeons need to be aware of the specific implications of low BMD. While there still is no consensus on the best course of treatment, multidisciplinary preoperative assessment and adherence to specific surgical principles help reduce the rate of implant-related complications.

BackgroundAbdominal aortic calcification (AAC) is associated with lower back pain, reduced bone mineral density of the spine. Vascular changes could also affect the already sparsely perfused intervertebral endplate and intervertebral disc. MethodsLumbar MRIs and lateral radiographs of patients with lower back pain were retrospectively analyzed. AAC was assessed on lateral lumbar radiographs according to the Kauppila score, with a maximum score of 24. Patients were grouped into no (AAC = 0), moderate (AAC 1 to ≤ 4), and severe AAC (AAC ≥ 5). Endplate and disc degeneration were classified according to the total endplate score (TEPS) and Pfirrmann classification. The associations between AAC and degenerative changes was analyzed with a generalized mixed model and was adjusted for age, sex, body mass index as well as diabetes mellitus, and smoking status.ResultsA total of 217 patients (47.9% female) were included in the analysis, totaling 1085 intervertebral levels. Of those, 45 (20.7%) patients had moderate, and 39 (18%) had severe AAC. The results of the generalized mixed model showed no significant association between AAC and disc degeneration (p > 0.05). In contrast, a significant positive association between AAC and the severity of TEPS (β: 0.51, 95% CI: 1.92—2.12, p = 0.004) was observed in the multivariable analysis.ConclusionsThis study demonstrates an independent association between AAC and endplate degeneration. These findings expand our knowledge about the degenerative cascade of the lumbar spine and suggest that AAC might be a modifiable risk factor for endplate changes.

Study Design Retrospective cohort study. Objectives To identify imaging predictors on pre- and perioperative imaging that are associated with a future revision surgery for adjacent segment disease (ASD) following lumbar fusion. Methods Patients undergoing open posterior lumbar fusion between 2014-2022 were followed-up for >2-year. The initial MRI was evaluated for disc degeneration by Pfirrmann (grade 1-5); Modic changes (0-3); as well as fatty infiltration and functional cross-sectional area (fCSA) of the multifidus, erector spinae, and psoas. Spinopelvic alignment was measured pre- and postoperatively. Results Of 216 patients, 14.8% (n = 32) required revision surgery for ASD in the further course. There were no significant differences in Modic changes or Pfirrmann grades between the ASD group and controls. Fatty infiltration was significantly higher in the ASD group for both the erector spinae (40.5% vs 36.9%, P = 0.043) and multifidus muscles (61.0% vs 53.9%, P = 0.003). Additionally, the multifidus fCSA was smaller in patients who developed ASD (5.7 cm2 vs 6.7 cm2). Pre- and postoperative spinopelvic parameters were not significantly different between groups, and no other MRI measurements showed a significant difference. In a multivariable logistic regression model adjusting for age and sex, multifidus fatty infiltration emerged as the only significant predictor of ASD revision surgery (P = 0.004). Patients with more than 58% multifidus fatty infiltration had over double the risk of developing ASD (OR 2.7, 95% CI: 1.1-6.5, P = 0.032). Conclusions Multifidus fatty infiltration is the key imaging predictor for the development of ASD requiring surgical revision. Disc degeneration and spinopelvic alignment appear to have less impact.

Objective Abdominal aortic calcification (AAC), often found incidentally on lateral lumbar radiographs, is increasingly recognized for its association with adverse outcomes in spine surgery. As a marker of advanced atherosclerosis affecting cardiovascular dynamics, this study evaluates AAC’s impact on perioperative blood loss in posterior spinal fusion (PSF). Methods Patients undergoing PSF from March 2016 to July 2023 were included. Estimated blood loss (EBL) and total blood volume (TBV) were calculated. AAC was assessed on lateral lumbar radiographs according to the Kauppila classification. Predictors of the EBL-to-TBV ratio (%EBL/TBV) were examined via univariable and multivariable regression analyses, which adjusted for parameters such as hypertension and aspirin use. Results A total of 199 patients (47.2% female) were analyzed. AAC was present in 106 patients (53.3%). AAC independently predicted %EBL/TBV, accounting for an increase in blood loss of 4.46% of TBV (95% CI 1.17–7.74, p  = 0.008). Conclusions This is the first study to identify AAC as an independent predictor of perioperative blood loss in PSF. In addition to its link to degenerative spinal conditions and adverse postoperative outcomes, the relationship between AAC and increased blood loss warrants attention in patients undergoing PSF.

Gait kinematics research in chronic low back pain (cLBP) is inconsistent due to variable subgrouping, lack of sex-specific analysis, and focus on discrete measures. This study compared pelvic and lower limb gait patterns in a well-defined cLBP subgroup and a pain-free control group, stratified by sex, using functional data analysis. Participants had no prior spinal or lower limb diagnoses, injuries, or surgeries. Magnetic resonance imaging was used to exclude individuals with relevant lumbar spine pathologies. CLBP participants reported lumbar pain almost daily for ≥ 12 weeks. Pain-free individuals scored above the 25th percentile in the SF-36. Gait data were collected via 3D motion capture at self-selected speed and 4 km/h. Kinematic waveforms were analyzed via functional regression. Included were 44 cLBP (29 females, 15 males) and 55 pain-free individuals (36 females, 19 males). Substantial differences in pelvic obliquity, hip ab-/adduction and rotation, and ankle angles between sexes (mean difference standard deviation ratio (RMS) = 0.26–0.84, p = < 0.001–0.035) and in ankle dorsi-/plantarflexion between pain-free and cLBP females (RMS = 0.24–0.41, p = 0.020–0.030) were found. The findings underline the relevance of sex-specific analysis in cLBP gait research. No major gait differences were found between cLBP and pain-free individuals, except for minor ankle kinematic changes in cLBP females. The functional impact of these small changes remains unclear. Future research should investigate how such variations in ankle kinematics affect gait efficiency and contribute to cLBP, while controlling for other factors like sex.

Purpose 5q-spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) is a treatable neuromuscular disorder associated with scoliosis in up to 90% of patients. New SMA therapies could mark a paradigm shift in scoliosis management, but their effects on scoliosis development remain unclear. This study aims to observe scoliosis progression in the current treatment landscape to inform management strategies. Methods We conducted a cross-sectional retrospective analysis of 94 SMA patients treated at our center. Scoliosis development was evaluated in 75 patients using spine radiographs and electronic health records. Statistical analysis was performed using Python and GraphPad Prism. One-way ANOVA and Pearson correlation were used for group comparisons and correlation analysis, respectively. Results Scoliosis parameters in 5q-SMA patients who had received either nusinersen, onasemnogene abeparvovec, risdiplam, or their combinations showed mean ages at scoliosis detection were 23.94, 55.52, and 168.11 months for SMA types 1, 2, and 3, respectively. Cobb angles at detection showed no significant intergroup differences. The mean ages at scoliosis surgery were 60, 88.43, and 124.8 months. Pelvic obliquity (PO) was highest in type 1 and lowest in type 3. A strong correlation (r = 0.9) was found between PO measurement techniques. HFMSE scores correlated moderately with scoliosis severity (r = -0.38), while CHOP-INTEND showed no correlation. Conclusion The observations made in this study suggest that the effects of SMA therapies do not prevent scoliosis development. The improved prognosis may lead to a growing cohort of SMA type 1 and 2 patients with early onset scoliosis who require early growth-friendly surgical interventions.

PurposePeriprosthetic joint infections (PJI) of total knee arthroplasties (TKAs) in the elderly is among the clinically most challenging scenarios given multimorbidity combined with poor bone and soft tissue quality. Despite increasing prevalence, limited is known on PJI among this unique group of patients. As such, this study analyzed PJI characteristics, implant survivorship and non-surgical complications of octogenarians revised PJI for the knee.MethodsWe identified 31 patients that were revised for PJIs of the knee between 2010 and 2019 using a single university-based registry. Mean age was 83 years (range 80–87), 48% were females, and mean BMI was 29 kg/m2. Mean age adjusted Charlson Comorbidity Index was 7, and mean ASA score was 3. Major causative pathogens included Coagulase-negative Staphylococci (26%), Staphylococcus aureus (13%), and Streptococci (13%). Two-stage exchange was performed in 30 patients, permanent resection arthroplasty in one joint. Kaplan–Meier survivorship analyses were performed. Mean follow-up was 4 years.ResultsThe 2-year survivorship free of any recurrent PJI was 96%, and there was one PJI relapse noted at 6 months. Moreover, there were three additional revisions for aseptic loosening, and one further revision for fracture. As such, the 2-year survivorship free of any revision was 87%. In addition to the aforementioned revisions, there was one additional plate osteosynthesis for a Vancouver C fracture, resulting in a 79% survivorship free of any reoperation at 2 years. Mean perioperative complication score according to the Clavien–Dindo classification was 2 out of 5. A total of three patients died: one patient 40 days after resection arthroplasty, two others 4 months and 8 months after reimplantation.ConclusionsOctogenarians revised for PJI of the knee are at low risk of recurrent infection and overall revision at 2 years. However, moderate rates of perioperative complications and mortality at short term must acknowledge before deciding upon procedure.Level of evidenceTherapeutic level IV.