Gill Dickson and Suzanne M. McDonough INTRODUCTION Low back pain is a global problem that is highly prevalent in the general population, frequently episodic and persistent. Many will resolve their spinal pain with simple measures, including simple analgesia, therapy and exercise advice. However, the major part of the cost of spinal pain to the National … Read more
Timo Stubig, Michael Grevitt, Christian W. Mueller INTRODUCTION Thoracic and thoracolumbar injuries with significant vertebral comminution and/or ligamentous instability may result in mechanical instability or compression of neural elements. The optimal therapy for thoracolumbar and lumbar spine fractures is not clear. Although different countries and institutions claim to provide optimal care, the evidence is largely … Read more
Christoph E. Albers and Lorin M. Benneker INTRODUCTION Reportedly, nine to fifteen percent of sports injuries affect the spinal column.1-3 The majority of these injuries are benign myofascial strains responding well to physical therapy without mid- or long-term impact on athletic performance. However, more severe injuries may occur including fractures or osseous instability, disco-ligamentous instability … Read more
Harold I. Salmons, Jeffrey Ta, Hamadi Murphy, Arjun Sebastian, Kris Radcliff, Alex Vaccaro INTRODUCTION Spinal infections involve pyogenic or granulomatous infections of the vertebral column, intervertebral discs, the dural sac or the epidural space. Infections of the spine can take the form of a primary infection of the spine or a spread of microorganisms originating … Read more