直腿抬高试验阴性的腰椎间盘突出症

目的 探讨腰4-5、腰5骶1椎间盘突出症中直腿抬高试验阴性的原因。方法 通过物理检查、影像学表现、手术所见对直腿抬高试验阴性的椎间盘突出症做了直观性的分析。结果 神经根变性、个体致痛性不敏感、突出物位置、病理环境下的神经根病态平衡、患病间隙的椎管容积大、腰背肌的保护性脊柱固定、职业因素等是造成腰椎间盘突出症中直腿抬高试验阴性的主要原因。结论 仔细的分析临床症状，参照影像学的客观性，排除直腿抬高试验阴性的原因是避免腰椎间盘突出症漏诊的重要方法。     

A study of the relationship between type of lumbar disc herniation,straight leg raising test and peripheral T lymphocytes

Objective: To observe changes in peripheral T lymphocytes of patients with lumbar disc herniation, and investigate the relationship between the type of herniation, signs and T lymphocyte subsets. Methods: Blood samples from 20 healthy blood donors (control group), and 49 patients (27 male and 22 female) with single‐level lumbar intervertebral disc herniation were collected, the latter preoperatively. T lymphocytes subsets were detected by flow cytometer. According to the position of the intervertebral disc observed during surgery, the patients were divided into ruptured disc herniation (RDH) and degenerative disc herniation (DDH) groups. Straight leg raising (SLR) was assessed preoperatively. Results: Percentages of CD3+, CD4+, and ratio of CD4+/CD8+ in the RDH group were significantly higher, and of percentage of CD8+ significantly lower, than were those in the control group. Percentages of CD4+ and ratio of CD4+/CD8+ were significantly higher, and percentage of CD8+ significantly lower, in the positive SLR test group than were those in the negative SLR test group. The positive rate of SLR testing was significantly higher in the RDH than in the DDH group. Conclusion: Our results suggest that changes in T lymphocyte subsets in peripheral blood take place after herniation of the lumbar intervertebral disc. T lymphocyte mediated immune responses may play an important role in the occurrence and development of signs in patients with herniated lumbar intervertebral discs. The SLR test may help to confirm that disc herniation has caused nerve root impairment by mechanical loading or inflammatory stimulus and provide guidance on the choice of treatment.     

Modified crossed leg raising test and sciatica

A modification of the crossed leg raising test has been helpful in identifying patients with intervertebral disc disorders. Simultaneous flexion of the neck and elevation of the contralateral leg produced pain in the ipsilateral (presenting) sciatic notch in five patients with either free fragments or herniated disc found at operation. All patients were symptom-free postoperatively.     

Inflammatory cells, motor weakness, and straight leg raising in transligamentous disc herniations

STUDY DESIGN: Possible statistically significant relationships between inflammatory cells and either motor weakness or straight leg raising were determined. OBJECTIVES: To look for any clinically relevant links between inflammatory cells in disc herniations and signs of radiculopathy. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: Many studies have during recent years shown a presence of various types of inflammatory cells in disc herniations, but their clinical relevance has been questioned. To be clinically relevant, a presence of inflammatory cells should show a clear relationship to clinical evidence of nerve root involvement. Macrophages repeatedly demonstrated in a high proportion of disc herniations studied are of particular interest. Their major role may be in disc herniations tissue resorption and not in sciatica. METHODS: A total of 96 disc herniations, all transligamentous, were analyzed by immunohistochemistry for presence of macrophages, T or B lymphocytes, and activated T lymphocytes separately. From recorded patient data, motor weakness and straight leg raising data were compared with a presence or absence of abundant (+ = at least 20 cells in a group) inflammatory cells. When not abundant, inflammatory cells were classified as "only few cells" (+) and grouped together with "no cells" (-). Patients with or without motor weakness were compared. Straight leg raising was compared for a positive (at <70 degrees ) or a negative test, and separately using the median as cut-off value. Groups were compared by chi-square analysis with the level of statistical significance set at P<0.05. RESULTS: None of the four inflammatory cell types showed any significant association with motor weakness. Nor was any association observed when comparing positive and negative straight leg raising. With the median (straight leg raising = 47.5 degrees ) as cut-off, only activated T cells showed a weak (chi2 = 4.40, P<0.05) relationship with tighter straight leg raising, but none of the other cell types did. Even when straight leg raising was < 47.5 degrees, three times more disc herniations lacked (n = 34) inflammatory cells than showed (n = 13) inflammation. In a subgroup of only sequestrated discs, the findings were similar. However, in the patients with a bilaterally positive straight leg raising (n = 25), the prevalence of at least one inflammatory cell type was much higher in sequestrated discs (80%) than in extrusions (33%). This may suggest more subtle interrelationships between type of disc herniation, straight leg raising, and inflammatory cells. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study do not support a clinically relevant role for disc herniation inflammatory cells in sciatica. For the cells to be clinically relevant, a strong relationship between a presence of inflammatory cells and either or both of motor weakness and a tight straight leg raising should have been observed. The authors conclude that macrophages, which have been demonstrated in a high proportion of disc herniations in previous studies, are probably more important for disc tissue resorption processes than for producing sciatica. Other types of inflammatory cells are more rarely observed and may have no clinical meaning at all. However, more subtle interrelationships, considering the various types of disc herniations, should be further explored.     

The relation between vertebral endplate shape and lumbar disc herniations.

STUDY DESIGN: Blinded review of selected and un-selected computed tomographic myelograms. OBJECTIVE: To determine whether shape of the vertebral body endplate margins is a risk factor for the development of symptomatic lumbar disc herniations. The law of LaPlace for a fluid-filled tube suggests that anular tension could be related to endplate shape and a propensity for disc herniation. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: It was hypothesized that the law of Laplace could apply to the lumbar spine because of to the cylindrical shape of the lumbar disc and its high water content in nonelderly individuals. It was further hypothesized that differences in the radius of the curvature could place stresses on the anulus that would make posterior disc herniations more likely with "rounder" endplates. METHODS: Ninety-seven contrast computed tomography scans were reviewed at transitional L4-L5 and L5-S1 in patients under 60 years of age, without previous spine surgery and without spondylolisthesis. Determinations of disc herniations and measurements of endplates were performed by blinded observers. A ratio of these measurements was used to determine the relative circularity of the endplate. Height, weight, body mass index, and disc endplate size and shape were related to the presence of disc herniation. RESULTS: By multiple logistic regression, only endplate shape was strongly related to disc herniations. Endplate area was a less significant factor in men. CONCLUSIONS: The shape of the vertebral body margin at the endplate is an important factor contributing to the development of disc herniations at L4-L5 and L5-S1.     

腰椎间盘退变动物模型的建立及影像学改变

目的建立腰椎间盘退变的动物模型。方法取新西兰大白兔6只,采用腹膜后入路进行腰椎手术,L3/L4椎间盘作为对照椎间盘;L4/L5椎间盘作为假手术椎间盘,只进行暴露;L5/L6椎间盘作为处理椎间盘,手术暴露后用24 G针头从椎间盘的前外侧针刺3次。4周后通过X线片观察针刺损伤对椎间盘高度的影响,通过MRI观察椎间盘在针刺损伤后退变的程度。结果腹膜后入路可以很好的显露新西兰大白兔腰椎间盘,所有动物均成活至术后4周,统计学分析说明针刺、手术暴露以及对照对术后4周椎间盘高度、MRI的T2加权信号强度的影响不同。用Newman-Keuls法对3样本均数两两比较结果显示：L3/L4与L4/L5之间的均数比较P〉0.05;L3/L4和L5/L6之间的均数比较P〈0.01;L4/L5和L5/L6之间的均数比较P〈0.01。结论术后4周针刺损伤实验动物椎间盘可以造成椎间盘高度、MRI的T2加权信号强度的降低,具有统计学意义。椎间盘损伤是造成椎间盘退变的原因之一。     

Strain and excursion of the sciatic, tibial, and plantar nerves during a modified straight leg raising test.

A modified straight leg raising (SLR) in which ankle dorsiflexion is performed before hip flexion has been suggested to diagnose distal neuropathies such as tarsal tunnel syndrome. This study evaluates the clinical hypothesis that strain in the nerves around the ankle and foot caused by ankle dorsiflexion can be further increased with hip flexion. Linear displacement transducers were inserted into the sciatic, tibial, and plantar nerves and plantar fascia of eight embalmed cadavers to measure strain during the modified SLR. Nerve excursion was measured with a digital calliper. Ankle dorsiflexion resulted in a significant strain and distal excursion of the tibial nerve. With the ankle in dorsiflexion, the proximal excursion and tension increase in the sciatic nerve associated with hip flexion were transmitted distally along the nerve from the hip to beyond the ankle. As hip flexion had an impact on the nerves around the ankle and foot but not on the plantar fascia, the modified SLR may be a useful test to differentially diagnose plantar heel pain. Although the modified SLR caused the greatest increase in nerve strain nearest the moving joint, mechanical forces acting on peripheral nerves are transmitted well beyond the moving joint.     

Variables affecting disc size in the lumbar spine of rabbits: anesthesia, paralysis, and disc injury

Methods have been developed that permit repetitive radiographic measurement of the lumbar intervertebral disc space in a rostral-caudal direction (width) in the anesthetized laboratory rabbit. Using isolated control discs and injured discs in which narrowing has been induced for chronic and acute periods, the widths of the lumbar intervertebral disc spaces determined ratio-graphically correlate with widths determined histologically (p less than 0.000, r = 0.75). Both an increase (widening) and a decrease (narrowing) in disc width were observed using radiography after different experimental treatments. Anesthesia and lower-body paralysis (an experimentally induced inability to bear weight on and to perceive a pinch stimulus in hind limbs) caused widening of the discs: anesthesia causing a general widening throughout the lumbar spine and lower-body paralysis causing a specific widening low in the lumbar spine. Both disc injection and piercing the disc with needles to recover nucleus pulposus material caused narrowing of the discs. Acridine-orange injection induced a narrowing accompanied by osteophytosis. Experimentally induced narrowing at L4-5 (the result of injury to the disc) resulted in narrowing also at L2-3. These findings are consistent with the hypothesis that in vivo disc-width size in the young rabbit depends on both the quantity of nucleus pulposus material and the force-generating activities of the adjacent spinal muscles, and that disc injury at one level stimulates narrowing at other levels.     

The effect of test position on lumbar spine position sense

STUDY DESIGN: Repeated-measures experimental design. OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to compare lumbar spine position sense in 3 test positions (standing, sitting, and 4-point kneeling [FPK]) to determine if position sense is affected by test position. BACKGROUND: Several recent studies have tested position sense in the spine. There has, however, been no consistency in the testing methods or test positions used in these studies. METHODS AND MEASURES: Seventy asymptomatic males (range, 20-51 years) volunteered for testing. Active lumbar spine repositioning accuracy and precision was tested 3-dimensionally in 3 test positions (standing, sitting, and FPK) and under 2 conditions (eyes open and blindfolded), using the neutral spine posture as the initial reference position. RESULTS: Both the accuracy and precision of lumbar spine repositioning was found to be significantly affected by test position. Repositioning errors (reflective of accuracy) were significantly larger in FPK than in both sitting and standing, and significantly larger in sitting than in standing, under both eyes-open and blindfolded conditions. Precision of repositioning was significantly less in the FPK position as compared to the standing position. CONCLUSION: The results of this study suggest that test position has a significant effect on the acuity of lumbar spine position sense and should be considered when examining the current literature on spine proprioception.     

The active straight leg raising test and mobility of the pelvic joints

Objective signs to assess impairment in patients who are disabled by peripartum pelvic girdle pain hardly exist. The purpose of this study was to develop a clinical test to quantify and qualify disability in these patients. The study examined the relationship between impaired active straight leg raising (ASLR) and mobility of pelvic joints in patients with peripartum pelvic girdle pain, focusing on (1) the reduction of impairment of ASLR when the patient was wearing a pelvic belt, and (2) motions between the pubic bones measured by X-ray examination when the patient was standing on one leg, alternating left and right. Twenty-one non-pregnant patients with peripartum pelvic girdle pain in whom pain and impairment of ASLR were mainly located on one side were selected. ASLR was performed in the supine position, first without a pelvic belt and then with a belt. The influence of the belt on the ability to actively raise the leg was assessed by the patient. Mobility of the pelvic joints was radiographically visualized by means of the Chamberlain method. Assessment was blinded. Ability to perform ASLR was improved by a pelvic belt in 20 of the 21 patients (binomial two-tailed P = 0.0000). When the patient was standing on one leg, alternating the symptomatic side and the reference side, a significant difference between the two sides was observed with respect to the size of the radiographically visualized steps between the pubic bones (binomial two-tailed P = 0.01). The step at the symptomatic side was on average larger when the leg at that side was hanging down than when the patient was standing on the leg at that side. Impairment of ASLR correlates strongly with mobility of the pelvic joints in patients with peripartum pelvic girdle pain. The ASLR test could be a suitable instrument to quantify and qualify disability in diseases related to mobility of the pelvic joints. Further studies are needed to assess the relationship with clinical parameters, sensitivity, specificity and responsiveness in various categories of patients. In contrast with the opinion of Chamberlain, that a radiographically visualized step between the pubic bones is caused by cranial shift of the pubic bone at the side of the standing leg, it is concluded that the step is caused by caudal shift of the pubic bone at the side of the leg hanging down. The caudal shift is caused by an anterior rotation of the hip bone about a horizontal axis near the sacroiliac joint. Received: 7 November 1998 Revised: 6 July 1999 Accepted: 9 September 1999     

The treatment of lumbar disc herniation: simple fragment excision versus disc space curettage.

The purpose of this study was to determine whether there was any difference in the clinical outcome between groups of patients treated with lumbar discectomy and vertebral endplate curettage as compared with disc fragment excision without endplate curettage. Eighty-three patients requiring lumbar disc excision for herniated nucleus pulposus were evaluated retrospectively at minimum 2-year follow-up. Forty-three patients had undergone fragment excision and disc space curettage at one center, whereas 40 patients underwent fragment excision without curettage at two other centers. There was no increased rate of reherniation or reoperation in the excision-only group. Vertebral endplate curettage carries a risk of annular penetration and damage to the great vessels. This study shows that this potentially dangerous step of the operation is unwarranted. In addition, patients who underwent endplate curettage had a higher incidence of low-back pain on follow-up.     

腰椎Active-L人工椎间盘置换术与腰椎融合术的临床比较研究

背景：腰椎融合术一直被广大学者认为是治疗腰椎间盘退行性病变的“金标准”,但文献报道腰椎融合术加速相邻节段退变的发生,为保留脊柱功能单位的生理和运动特性,提出人工椎间盘置换术。目的：比较前路Active．L型人工椎间盘假体置换术和后路腰椎融合术治疗单节段腰椎间盘退行性病变患者的疗效和安全性。方法：2009年1月至2010年4月62例因腰椎间盘退行性病变的手术患者,根据手术方式分为试验组和对照组。试验组行腰椎人工椎间盘置换术患者20例,男10例,女10例;年龄36-58岁,平均47．7岁;术前诊断：腰椎间盘突出症16例,腰椎间盘源性下腰痛4例,腰椎间盘后路开窗术后复发1例;手术节段：13-42例,L4-513例,L5-S15例。对照组行腰椎融合术患者42例,男22例,女20例;年龄40-60岁,平均48．5岁;术前诊断：腰椎间盘突出症32例,腰椎间盘源性下腰痛7例,腰椎间盘后路开窗术后复发3例;手术节段：13-44例,L4-526例,15-S112例。随访观察指标包括：（1）临床疗效评定：术后疼痛及功能改善率的评定;手术成功率的评定。（2）影像学评定：腰椎前凸角和手术节段的椎问活动度独立因素t检验进行对比评价。结果：全部获得随访,试验组随访时间为12-27个月,平均19．3个月;对照组随访时间为12-27个月,平均19．8个月。两组患者在治疗下腰痛方面均取得明显疗效。在改善ODI功能评分、VAS疼痛评分、SF-36、椎间隙活动度上,试验组优于对照组,两组间比较有显著性差异（P〈0．05）;在恢复腰椎前凸序列上,两组间无显著性差异（P〉0．05）;两组均未出现严重并发症。结论：人工椎间盘置换术和融合术均取得良好的临床效果,但人工椎间盘置换术在掌握严格的手术适应证和禁忌证的条件下,相比腰椎融合术具有更好的临床疗效并保留病变节段的活动度。因此,在合适的手术适应证下,人工间盘置换术是一种更优且可以替代腰椎融合术的有效治疗方法。     

Clinical outcomes,radiologic kinematics,and effects on sagittal balance of the 6 df LP-ESP lumbar disc prosthesis

Background contextSurgical treatment of degenerative disc disease remains a controversial subject. Lumbar fusion has been associated with a potential risk of segmental junctional disease and sagittal balance misalignment. Motion preservation devices have been developed as an alternative to fusion. The LP-ESP disc is a one-piece deformable device achieving 6 df, including shock absorption and elastic return. This is the first clinical report on its use.PurposeTo assess clinical outcomes and radiologic kinematics in the first 2 years after implantation.Study designProspective cohort of patients with LP-ESP total disc replacement (TDR) at the lumbar spine.Patient sampleForty-six consecutive patients.Outcome measuresClinical outcomes were the visual analog scale (VAS) for pain, the Oswestry disability index (ODI), and the GHQ28 (General Health Questionnaire) psychological score. Radiologic data were the range of motion (ROM), sagittal balance parameters, and mean center of rotation (MCR).MethodsPatients had single-level TDR at L4–L5 or L5–S1. Outcomes were prospectively recorded for 2 years (before and at 3, 6, 12, and 24 months after surgery). The SpineView software was used for computed analysis of the radiographic data. Paired t tests were used for statistical comparisons.ResultsNo intraoperative complication occurred. All clinical scores improved significantly at 24 months: the back pain VAS scores by a mean of 4.1 points and the ODI by 33 points. The average ROM of the instrumented level was 5.4°±4.8° at 2 years and more than 2° for 76% of prostheses. The MCR was in a physiological area in 73% of cases. The sagittal balance (pelvic tilt, sacral slope, and segmental lordosis) did not change significantly at any point of the follow-up.ConclusionsResults from the 2-year follow-up indicate that LP-ESP prosthesis recreates lumbar spine function similar to that of the healthy disc in terms of ROM, quality of movement, effect on sagittal balance, and absence of modification in the kinematics of the upper adjacent level.     

腰椎间盘突出症非对称性下肢放射痛的原因及治疗

目的：探讨腰椎间盘突出症导致非对称性下肢放射痛的原因及治疗。方法：回顾性分析了手术治疗的53例病人。其中全椎板切除39例，扩大半椎板切除14例。结果：对侧侧隐窝狭窄23例，游离髓核组织压迫对侧神经根24例，脊髓丘脑侧束内存在不交叉纤维6例。结论：对侧侧隐窝狭窄和游离髓核组织压迫对侧神经根是导致非对称性下肢放射痛的主要原因，手术日寸要注意对对侧侧隐窝减压，除游离的髓核组织。只有确定无导致对侧下肢放射痛的原因后。才能确定为脊髓丘脑侧束内存在不交叉纤维。     

轴位牵引下直腿抬高试验在腰椎间盘突出切吸术中的应用价值

目的 在术前区别可逆性及不可逆性腰椎间盘突出症,明确经皮穿刺椎间盘切吸术适应证,提高ＡＰＬＤ手术优良率。方法 将轴位牵引下直腿抬高试验引入ＡＰＬＤ术前检查中,将８６例适合ＡＰＬＤ患者分为应用ＡＴ－ＳＬＲＴ前,后两组进行疗效比较。结果 应用ＡＴ－ＳＬＲＴ前组手术优良率９０．６％,应用ＡＴ－ＳＬＲＴ后组优良率１００％。结论ＡＴ－ＳＬＲＴ能为ＡＰＬＤ术前筛选,预测ＡＰＬＤ术后疗效提供较准确的参考依据,具     

Reliability of the lumbar flexion, lumbar extension, and passive straight leg raise test in normal populations embedded within a complete physical examination.

STUDY DESIGN: The study measured the reliability of the passive straight leg raise (SLR) test and lumbar range of motion (LROM) tests measured as continuous variables embedded within a comprehensive physical examination. OBJECTIVES: To determine the reliability of the SLR and LROM test scores when they are measured with a Cybex electronic inclinometer (Lumex, Inc., New York, NY) within a physical examination. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: Good published empirical reliability exists for the Cybex and for SLR and LROM tests when the measurements are taken in isolation from other physical examination procedures. Reliability of the Cybex for continuous SLR and LROM measurement within a physical examination has not been assessed, however. METHODS: Forty-five participants were seen by one of two physician/physiotherapist teams. Participants were examined by both team members. The first examiner conducted the first tests and retested 1 week later (intrarater reliability). The second examined the participants the day after their first appointment (inter-rater reliability). RESULTS: Only two scores showed substantial reliability (defined as r > or = 0.60). These scores were left (r = 0.81) and right (r = 0.79) SLR intrarater reliability. All other scores fell below the specified cutoff. CONCLUSIONS: SLR and LROM scores used clinically are collected during comprehensive physical examinations. Most scores gathered under these conditions were not reliable. These findings have implications for the use of clinically derived SLR and LROM scores.