The epidemiology of Schmorl's nodes and their correlation to radiographic degeneration in 4,151 subjects. Sonne-Holm S,Jacobsen S,Rovsing H,Monrad H. Eur Spine J. 2013 Aug;22(8):1907-12. doi: 10.1007/s00586-013-2735-3. Epub 2013 Mar 16

This prospective multicentre study was undertaken to determine segmental movement, disc height and sagittal alignment after total disc replacement (TDR) in the lumbosacral spine and to assess the correlation of biomechanical properties to clinical outcomes.A total of 173 patients with degenerative disc disease and low back pain for more than one year were randomised to receive either TDR or multidisciplinary rehabilitation (MDR). Segmental movement in the sagittal plane and disc height were     

Update: Exertional hyponatremia, active component, U.S. Armed Forces, 1999-2011

From 1999 through 2011, there were 1,329 incident diagnoses of exertional hyponatremia among active component members. In 2011, there were more incident cases (n=183) than in any other year of the period and more than three-times as many cases as in 1999 (n=57). Crude incidence rates of exertional hyponatremia were highest among females, Marines, and those in the youngest and oldest age groups. The increased incidence in the U.S. military overall reflects sharply increasing rates in the Marine Corps and slight increases in the other services, particularly since 2005. Service members (particularly trainees and women) and their supervisors must be vigilant for early signs of heat-related illnesses and must be knowledgeable of the dangers of excessive water consumption and the prescribed limits for water intake during prolonged physical activity--e.g., field training exercises, personal fitness training, recreational activities--in hot, humid weather.     

Urinary stones, active component, U.S. Armed Forces, 2001-2010

Urinary stones can cause debilitating morbidity that impairs the operational effectiveness of affected members of the U.S. Armed Forces. This report describes a "gender shift," i.e., the narrowing of prevalence differences between men and women, similar to trends described in the U.S. civilian population. Rates of incident diagnoses of urinary stones increased in the active component during the past decade - particularly among females. On average, 60 service members were medically evacuated from combat zones each year during the period. Service members with a history of urinary stones should be counseled on reducing risk, particularly in the deployment setting.