Benzel's Spine Surgery

Ankylosing Spondylitis and Related Disorders

Summary of Key Points Ankylosing spondylitis is a disabling seronegative spondyloarthropathy that results in progressively worsening deformity of the spine. Nonsteroidal antiinflammatory medications are first-line pharmacological therapy options, with antitumor necrosis factor agents used for refractory cases. The exact origin…

Rheumatoid Arthritis

Summary of Key Points The majority of operative interventions on the spine in rheumatoid arthritis patients occur at the C1–C2 level because of pannus formation, atlantoaxial instability, or potential vertical subluxation of the dens/cranial settling. Current use of disease-modifying antirheumatic…

Spinal Injuries in Sports

Summary of Key Points The five steps for on-field management of spinal injuries in sports are: (1) preparation for any neurological injury, (2) suspicion and recognition, (3) stabilization and safety, (4) immediate treatment and possible secondary treatment, and (5) evaluation…

Spinal Cord Injury

Summary of Key Points Spinal cord injury results from both the primary injury and a subsequent secondary injury cascade. Understanding the secondary cascade of spinal cord injury has identified potentially modifiable components, and may translate to future treatment strategies in…

Peripheral Nerve Injury

Summary of Key Points Whereas Schwann cells support peripheral nervous system (PNS) regeneration, oligondendrocytes fail to support long-distance axonal growth in the central nervous system (CNS). Common and different signaling pathways in both the CNS and the PNS, as well…

Thoracic and Lumbar Spine Injuries

Summary of Key Points Fractures of the thoracolumbar region are the most common injuries of the vertebral column, with the leading cause of significant thoracolumbar injury being high-energy and high-velocity trauma. Critical factors necessitating evaluation include: neurological status, stability of…

Subaxial Cervical Spine Injuries

Summary of Key Points Cervical spine fractures must be treated from two perspectives: neural injury and spinal instability. Computed tomography is the first-line diagnostic test for suspected cervical spine injury. Rapid decompression of neural elements and restoration of spinal stability…

Occipitocervical Injuries

Summary of Key Points Occipitocervical injuries should always be suspected and ruled out in patients with high-energy injuries to the head and neck. Occipitocervical injuries can be highly unstable, and great care should be taken to stabilize the patient during…

Lumbar Spondylolisthesis

Summary of Key Points Isthmic and degenerative lumbar spondylolisthesis are common lumbar deformities associated with a significant impact on the health status of affected patients. Surgery for symptomatic lumbar spondylolisthesis is supported by clinical trial evidence. Published guidelines support a…

Adult Degenerative Scoliosis

Summary of Key Points Adult degenerative scoliosis (ADS) is a debilitating condition, with a spectrum of clinical presentations and spinal misalignment. There has a significant trend toward higher demand for management of ADS (both surgical and nonsurgical) in recent years.…