Summary of Key Points Spinal disorders pose a major burden to our healthcare economy, and are a priority based upon prevalence and impact on health-related quality of life. Payment reform includes: managed care models, accountable care organizations, bundled care payment…
Summary of Key Points Artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning offer significant promise for improving the state of the art in evidence-based diagnosis and management of spinal disorders AI is the effort to automate intellectual tasks, and encompasses a variety…
Summary of Key Points Dysplastic spondylolisthesis is a developmental disorder of the spine that is associated with significant pain and disability. Sacropelvic and spinopelvic balance are important determinants of the impact of spondylolisthesis on health status. Reduction of high-grade dysplastic…
Summary of Key Points There is significant variability in the surgical approaches to adult deformity. Advantages of anterior surgery include mobilization of the spine circumferentially, restoration of physiological lordosis, implementation of indirect decompression, and enhancement of fusion rates and loading…
Summary of Key Points The proximal and distal extents of long posterior fusions in adults with spinal deformity are considered “at risk” for failure because of increased loads and motion at the last instrumented vertebra and the unfused adjacent segment.…
Summary of Key Points Postoperative deformity is an important complication of surgery involving the cervical, thoracic, and lumbar spine. Postoperative deformity is a common and significant indication for revision spine surgery. Preoperative planning and intraoperative assessment of spinal alignment are…
Summary of Key Points Neuromuscular disorders are an important and common cause of spinal deformity in the child and in the adult. Recognition of a neuromuscular etiology of spinal deformity is important for understanding the natural history of the deformity,…
Summary of Key Points Osteoporosis and consequent vertebral and nonvertebral fractures are a major source of mortality and morbidity in the elderly population. Screening for osteoporosis is based on risk factors and patient age, with routine screening recommended for all…
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…
Summary of Key Points The disc has a complex organization that confers unique biomechanical properties. Disc subtissues (nucleus pulposus, annulus fibrosus, and end plate) have differing matrix structures and cell phenotypes. Poor vascular supply is an important factor affecting the…