Epidemiology The most recent demographic update provided by the National Spinal Cord Injury Statistical Center in 2016 estimates that there are approximately 17,000 new cases of spinal cord injury (SCI) every year. Motor vehicle accidents are the cause of nearly…
The Use of Autograft and Allograft in Revision Lumbar Spine Surgery One of the major contributors to a solid spinal arthrodesis is the use of bone grafts. In selecting the appropriate graft, there are three properties that receive consideration: osteoinductivity,…
Clinical Pearls The thoracolumbar junction is a flexible transition region in the spine, susceptible to injury due to the transfer of kinetic energy. Clinicians should maintain a high suspicion of injury with thoracolumbar trauma because the incidence of a second…
Summary of Key Points At the thoracolumbar spine, a long and stiff kyphotic thoracic spine converts abruptly into a mobile lordotic lumbar spine, and this transition zone is susceptible to injury. All suspected spine trauma patients should be immobilized from…
Summary of Key Points The overarching objective of spine surgery is to restore patients’ functional capacity and independence. Key goals in spine surgery include neural decompression, spinal stabilization, arthrodesis, and restoration of alignment. Treatment decision-making should be centered on each…
Introduction Complications and adverse events in the management of spinal trauma can occur in any organ system. Avoidance and prevention of these complications requires multidisciplinary knowledge in spine and spinal cord injury (SCI) management. Unfortunately, there is no consensus in…
Introduction Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is an essential modality in evaluating the ligamentous and soft tissue elements of the upper cervical spine. This region has horizontally oriented facets and no intervertebral discs; ligaments and membranes are thus crucial in stabilization…