Introduction Adult spinal deformity is a prevalent pathology with increasing incidence in the aging population. The correction of this pathology requires multilevel fusion, which unfortunately results in frequent revision. Proximal junctional kyphosis (PJK) and proximal junctional failure (PJF) are common…
Introduction Central cord syndrome was first described by Schneider et al. in 1954 as a syndrome of disproportionate motor weakness of the upper limbs compared with the lower limbs, bladder dysfunction (urinary retention), and variable sensory changes. It is the…
Introduction Thoracolumbar vertebral body fractures are a common cause of spinal injury, where burst fractures account for up to 58% of all thoracolumbar fractures. These fractures can lead to pain and neurological deficit. In other cases, they may remain asymptomatic.…
Introduction Osteoporotic vertebral fracture is increasing in prevalence with our aging population. It has a reported incidence of 30% to 50% in those over the age of 50. This condition often affects postmenopausal women and can result spontaneously or following…
Introduction Transforaminal lumbar interbody interbody fusion (TLIF) and posterior lumbar interbody fusion (PLIF) have become common procedures for the treatment of degenerative lumbar disease such as spondylolisthesis, scoliosis, and spondylosis leading to foraminal stenosis. Interbody cage placement is often used…
Introduction Thoracic stenosis can lead to compression of the spinal cord as a result of spinal degeneration, hypertrophy of the facet and ligamentum flavum, ossification of the ligamentum flavum, and diffuse idiopathic skeletal hyperostosis, among others. These changes may be…
Introduction Low back pain is one of the leading causes of emergency visits in the United States, leading to billions of dollars in loss of productivity each year. Most Americans will experience back pain during their lifetime, and a majority…
Introduction Although first described in 1952 by Brian et al., cervical spondylotic myelopathy (CSM) continues to be a frequently misdiagnosed pathology. The insidious onset is often mistaken as part of the normal aging process, while patients often have progressive and…
Introduction Stenosis of the lumbar spine can occur at different areas of the lumbar spine. Stenosis of the lumbar spine is most common at L4-5 level but can also occur at L3-4, L2-3, L5-S1, and L1-2 in decreasing frequency. Stenosis…
Introduction Pseudoarthrosis is a common complication following fusion operations. It can be found in both instrumented and noninstrumented fusions but more commonly occurs following noninstrumented fusion. Pseudoarthrosis is defined as symptomatic nonunion after 1 year of a fusion surgery. The…