Removal versus preservation of the posterior longitudinal ligament in Bryan cervical disc arthroplasty

Background Bryan cervical disc arthroplasty can be used to restore and maintain the mobility and function of the involved cervical spinal segments. The efficiency of posterior longitudinal ligament （PLL） resection in anterior cervical decompression and fusion has been demonstrated. However, no clinical reports have compared PLL removal with preservation in Bryan cervical disc arthroplasty. This study aimed to assess the role of removal of PLL in Bryan cervical disc arthroplasty at an 18-month follow-up.     

Incidence and risk factors analysis of heterotopic ossification after cervical disc replacement

Background Cervical disc replacement （CDR） as a substitute for traditional fusion surgery has been widely used in treating degenerative cervical disc diseases.The objectives of this study were to assess the clinical and radiological findings for patients with heterotopic ossification （HO） following CDR and to detect the risk factors of HO after CDR.Methods A total of 125 patients with symptomatic cervical single-or double-level disc diseases,who underwent CDR procedure with Discover prosthesis in Department of Spine Surgery,Changzheng Orthopedics Hospital from March 2009 to March 2011,were enrolled in this retrospective study.Occurrence of HO was defined by the McAfee classification on cervical lateral X-rays in this study.Prosthesis vertebral ratio （PVR） was used to determine the matching degree between the cervical disc prosthesis and cervical vertebra.Logistic regression analyses were performed to determine the risk factors of HO.Variables evaluated for their association with HO occurrence included age,gender,high-intensity signal in spinal cord,preoperative range of motion （ROM）,postoperative ROM,operation level number,and PVR.Results Mean follow-up time was （26.4±5.8） months.All the patients had significant symptoms and neurological function improvements during the follow-up period.The ROM of the operated segment from the preoperative period to the last follow-up was relatively well maintained.The rate of HO in this cohort of patients,who underwent Discover disc,was 27.92％ per surgical level and 24.8％ per patient by the last follow-up.There were 19 patients （19.79％） with HO in the single-level group while 12 patients （41.38％） in the double-level group.Conclusions We identified preoperative high-intensity signal in spinal cord,postoperative ROM of surgical level,number of operation level,and PVR as significant risk factors for postoperative HO occurrence.     

Lumbar pedicle cortical bone trajectory screw

Objective The purpose of this study was to demonstrate the lumbar pedicle cortical bone trajectory （CBT） screw fixation technique,a new fixation technique for lumbar surgery.Data sources The data analyzed in this review are mainly from articles reported in PubMed published from 1994 to 2014.Study selection Original articles and critical reviews relevant to CBT technique and lumbar pedicle fixation were selected.Results CBT technique was firstly introduced as a new fixation method for lumbar pedicle surgery in 2009.The concepts,morphometric study,biomechanical characteristics and clinical applications of CBT technique were reviewed.The insertional point of CBT screw is located at the lateral point of the pars interarticularis,and its trajectory follows a caudocephalad path sagittally and a laterally directed path in the transverse plane.CBT technique can be used for posterior fixation during lumbar fusion procedures.This technique is a minimally invasive surgery,which affords better biomechanical stability,fixation strength and surgical safety.Therefore,CBT technique has the greatest benefit in lumbar pedicle surgery for patients with osteoporosis and obesity.Conclusion CBT technique is a better alternative option of lumbar pedicle fixation,especially for patients with osteoporosis and obesity.     

Advances and disputes of posterior malleolus fracture

Objective The objective of this article is to summarize the development of evaluation and treatment of posterior malleolus fracture （PMF）. Data sources Data used in this Study selection Articles were review were mainly from English literature of PubMed data base. ncluded in this review if they were related to the PMF or trimalleolar fracture.     

Comparative biomechanical study of reversed less invasive stabilization system and proximal femoral nail antirotation for unstable intertrochanteric fractures

Objective Unstable intertrochanteric fractures （ITFs） are mostly treated by proximal femoral nail antirotation （PFNA）,Inter-Tan,Asian Hip,and other new internal fixation devices.But for complex unstable fractures,such as crushed lateral wall of the greater trochanter,the loss of fixation point on lateral wall slightly reduces the fixing effect.This study aimed to compare the biomechanical strengths between reversed less invasive stabilization system （LISS） and PFNA for treatment of unstable ITFs.Methods Forty synthetic femurs were used to simulate unstable ITFs in vitro and were fixed using the reversed LISS or PFNA.These fractures were divided into two groups depending on whether the lateral wall of the greater trochanter is intact or not （AO classification：31-A2.3 and 31-A3.3,respectively）.The load-displacement of femur,stiffness,ultimate load,and cyclic fatigue resistance were detected using an incremental load test and a dynamic fatigue test through an MTS 858 test system.Results For both 31-A2.3 and 31-A3.3,the vertical sinking displacement （VSD） of the femoral head under 500 N load was insignificantly smaller after treatment with reversed LISS than with PFNA,and when the displacement was 5 mm,the femoral head bore insignificantly greater load.The fixation with reversed LISS resulted in greater axial stiffness of the femur but smaller ultimate load.During the same cycle in the dynamic fatigue test,the VSD was insignificantly smaller with the fixation of reversed LISS.Conclusion Reversed LISS and PFNA have similar biomechanical strength for unstable ITFs.This conclusion should be supported by additional large-size research on basic biomechanics and clinical application.This is the first comparative biomechanical study comparing reversed LISS and PFNA for unstable ITFs.     

Comparison of simple discectomy and instrumented posterior lumbar interbody fusion for treatment of lumbar disc herniation combined with Modic endplate changes

Background The purpose of this retrospective study was to compare the surgical outcomes of simple discectomy and instrumented posterior lumbar interbody fusion （iPLIF） in patients with lumbar disc herniation and Modic endplate changes.Our hypothesis was that iPLIF could provide better outcome for patients with refractory lumbar disc herniation and Modic changes （LDH-MC）.Methods Ninety-one patients with single-segment LDH-MC were recruited.All patients experienced low back pain as well as radicular leg pain,and low back pain was more severe than leg pain.Forty-seven patients were treated with discectomy and 44 were treated with iPLIE The outcomes of both low back pain and radicular leg pain using visual analogue scale （VAS） as well as the clinical outcome related to low back pain using Japanese Orthopaedic Association （JOA） score were assessed before and 18 months after surgery,respectively.Results Both low back and leg pain were significantly improved 18 months after simple discectomy and iPLIE Compared to patients undergoing simple discectomy,low back pain was significantly reduced in patients undergoing iPLIE but there was no significant difference in leg pain between two groups.Solid fusion was achieved in all patients who underwent iPLIF.Conclusions In patients with LDH-MC,iPLIF can yield significantly superior outcome on the relief of low back pain compared to simple discectomy.Simple discectomy can relieve radicular leg pain as efficient as iPLIE Accordingly,iPLIF seems to be a reliable treatment for patients with LDH-MC and predominant low back pain.     

Usefulness of radial extracorporeal shock wave therapy for the spasticity of the subscapularis in patients with stroke: a pilot study

Background There are not many studies about treatment of shoulder spasticity. Although botulinum toxin injection has been reported to be effective for shoulder spasticity, the effectiveness was judged by pain and limited motion change, but not the spasticity itself. Shoulder spasticity is considered to play an important role in hemiplegic frozen shoulder. However, the subscapularis muscle, unlike the pectoralis major muscle, is located deep beneath scapula, where conventional injection is difficult to perform. As extracorporeal shock wave therapy （ESWT） has been reported to be effective for spasticity relief, and we thought spasticity of subscapularis muscle located deep beneath the scapula would be a good candidate for ESWT treatment. This study was to evaluate the beneficial effects of radial ESWT （rESWT） on spastic subscapularis muscle in stroke patients. Methods This is an uncontrolled, prospective, unicenter, clinical pilot study. Stroke patients （n=57; mean age 55.4 years） with spastic shoulders were recruited between June 2011 and February 2012 at the University Rehabilitation Hospital. rESWT was administered to each patient every two or three days for two weeks （five total treatments）. Evaluation consisted of 11 measurements for each patient; at the start of each of the five treatments and once per week during the following six weeks. Spasticity was measured at external rotator muscles of the shoulder using the modified Ashworth scale （MAS）, and passive range of motion （ROM） of the shoulder in external rotation was recorded. Pain was measured using a visual analogue scale （VAS） during passive ROM of the shoulder in external rotation, and was additionally recorded for patients who preserved cognitive and communicative ability （Pain group）. Results Reduction in MAS and VAS and improvement of ROM during and after rESWT treatments were prominent compared to baseline. The reduction in MAS and VAS and improvement of ROM continued four weeks after the last treatment and the effects of the treatment decreased afterward. Conclusion rESWT will be able to provide stroke patients with an effective and safe procedure for the reduction of spasticity and pain as well as for the improvement of ROM of spastic shoulders.     

Anatomical references for tibial sagittal alignment in total knee arthroplasty: A comparison of three anatomical axes based on 3D reconstructed CT images

Background This study was designed to analyze three tibial axis reference lines including the anterior tibial cortex （ATC） line, the fibular line （FL）, and the anatomical axis of tibia （AAT） line, to determine which line most closely parallels the mechanical axis （MA） of the tibia in the sagittal plane. The clinical relevance of the study is that through finding a reliable landmark on the leg, a surgeon may minimize posterior tibial slope measurement errors thereby and improving the technique for assuring proper alignment of total knee arthroplasty.     

Adjacent segment disease after anterior cervical decompression and fusion: analysis of risk factors on X-ray and magnetic resonance imaging

Background Adjacent segment disease （ASD） is common after cervical fusion.The aim of this study was to evaluate the risk factors for ASD on X-ray and magnetic resonance imaging （MRI）.Methods Patients included in this study had received revision surgeries after developing symptomatic ASD following anterior decompression and fusion.A control group that had not developed ASD was matched 1：1 by follow-up time and fusion segments.Plate-to-disc distances （PDDs）,developmental cervical canal stenosis on X-ray,cervical disc degeneration grading,and cervical disc bulge impingements on preoperative MRI were measured and compared between the ASD group and the control group.Results Thirty-four patients with complete radiographic data were included in the ASD group.The causative segments of ASD included nine cases of C3-4,18 cases of C4-5,three cases of C5-6,and four cases of C6-7.The ASD occurred at the upper adjacent segments in 26 patients and at the lower adjacent segments in eight patients.PDD distributions were similar between the ASD group and the control group.Developmental cervical canal stenosis was a risk factor for ASD,with an odd ratio value of 2.88.Preoperative cervical disc degenerations on MRI were similar between the ASD group and the control group.In the upper-level ASD group,the disc bulge impingement was （19.7±9.7）％,which was significantly higher than that of the control group of （11.8±4.8）％.Conclusions ASD was more likely to develop above the index level of fusion.Developmental cervical canal stenosis and greater disc bulge impingement may be risk factors for the development of ASD.     

Anterior herniation of lumbar disc induces persistent visceral pain: discogenic visceral pain

Background Visceral pain is a common cause for seeking medical attention. Afferent fibers innervating viscera project to the central nervous system via sympathetic nerves. The lumbar sympathetic nerve trunk lies in front of the lumbar spine. Thus, it is possible for patients to suffer visceral pain originating from sympathetic nerve irritation induced by anterior herniation of the lumbar disc. This study aimed to evaluate lumbar discogenic visceral pain and its treatment. Methods Twelve consecutive patients with a median age of 56.4 years were enrolled for investigation between June 2012 and December 2012. These patients suffered from long-term abdominal pain unresponsive to current treatment options. Apart from obvious anterior herniation of the lumbar discs and high signal intensity anterior to the herniated disc on magnetic resonance imaging, no significant pathology was noted on gastroscopy, vascular ultrasound, or abdominal computed tomography （CT）. To prove that their visceral pain originated from the anteriorly protruding disc, we evaluated whether pain was relieved by sympathetic block at the level of the anteriorly protruding disc. If the block was effective, CT-guided continuous lumbar sympathetic nerve block was finally performed. Results All patients were positive for pain relief by sympathetic block. Furthermore, the average Visual Analog Scale of visceral pain significantly improved after treatment in all patients （P 〈0.05）. Up to 11/12 patients had satisfactory pain relief at 1 week after discharge, 8/12 at 4 weeks, 7/12 at 8 weeks, 6/12 at 12 weeks, and 5/12 at 24 weeks. Conclusions It is important to consider the possibility of discogenic visceral pain secondary to anterior herniation of the lumbar disc when forming a differential diagnosis for seemingly idiopathic abdominal pain. Continuous lumbar sympathetic nerve block is an effective and safe therapy for patients with discogenic visceral pain.     

Decompression alone versus decompression with instrumented fusion for young patients with single-level lumbar disc herniation: a short-term prospective comparative study

Background For young patients,the surgical method for lumbar disc herniation remains controversial.The aim of this study was to prospectively determine the short-term clinical outcome after surgery for young patients with lumbar disc herniation.Methods In this prospective comparative study between April 2010 and August 2011,a total of 80 patients underwent primary surgery at a single level for lumbar disc herniation.The patients were divided into two groups：decompression alone and decompression with instrumented fusion.An independent examiner clinically evaluated the patients at preoperation and at 1,3,6,and 12 months after surgery.The patients filled out the instruments for back and leg pain using a Visual Analog Scale （VAS）,Oswestry Low Back Pain Disability Questionnaire （ODI）,and Japanese Orthopaedic Association （JOA） scores.The differences between the two groups were analyzed.Results The mean age of all the patients at the time of surgery was 33.7 years.Of the 80 patients,38 patients underwent decompression alone and 42 patients underwent posterior lumbar interbody fusion.Increasing complexity of surgery was associated with a longer surgery time,greater blood loss,and a longer hospital stay after surgery.Both methods of surgery independently improved outcomes compared with baseline status based on VAS,ODI,and JOA scores （P 〈0.05）,and no significant differences were found between the two groups at most of the measuring points in time,although patients with decompression alone had a higher JOA score （P=0.016） and higher JOA recovery rate （P=0.010） at the 3-month follow-up.Conclusions The short-term results of our study showed that both methods of surgery obtained effective clinical outcomes,but decompression alone had some advantages （shorter surgery time,less blood loss,shorter hospital stay,and lower cost） compared with decompression with instrumented fusion.Young patients with decompression alone could achieve great physical function earlier.     

Progress of anti-vascular endothelial growth factor therapy for ocular neovascular disease: benefits and challenges

publication. Study selection Clinical trials and case studies presented at medical conferences and published in peer-reviewed literature in the past decade were reviewed. Results Anti-VEGF agents have manifested great potential and promising outcomes in treating ocular neovascularization, though some of them are still used as off-label drugs. Intravitrea~ injection of anti-VEGF agents could be accompanied by devastating ocular or systemic complications, and intimate monitoring in both adult and pediatric population are warranted. Future directions should be focused on carrying out more well-designed large-scale controlled trials, promoting sustained duration of action, developing safer and more efficient generation of anti-VEGF agents. Conclusions Anti-VEGF treatment has proved to be beneficial in treating both anterior and posterior neovascular ocular diseases. However, more safer and affordable antiangiogenic agencies and regimens are warranted to be explored.     

Computer-assisted minimally invasive spine surgery for resection of ossification of the ligamentum flavum in the thoracic spine

Background Ossification of the ligamentum flavum （OLF） has been widely recognized as one of the main causes of thoracic spinal canal stenosis and thoracic myelopathy.Decompression is the only effective strategy for treating thoracic myelopathy caused by OLF.The purpose of this study was to describe the clinical outcomes of computer-assisted minimally invasive spine surgery （CAMISS） for posterior decompression in patients with thoracic myelopathy caused by OLF.Methods In all cases,the surgical procedure was performed with the assistance of an intraoperative three-dimensional navigation system.Decompression of the spinal cord was performed with a high-speed drill; the supraspinal ligaments and spinous process were partially preserved.The outcomes were evaluated by a modified Japanese Orthopedic Association （JOA） scoring system and recovery rates.Results The mean duration of follow-up for the 14 cases was 3.9 years.All patients experienced neurological recovery,the mean JOA score improving from 6.1 points preoperatively to 8.6 points at final follow-up and the mean rate of recovery being 52.7% （excellent in two cases,good in eight,fair in three,and unchanged in one）.Conclusion CAMISS is a safe and effective procedure for resection of the OLF in the thoracic spine.     

Characteristics of optic disc parameters and its association in normal Chinese population: the Handan Eye Study

Background Assessment of the optic disc and retinal nerve fiber layer （RNFL） is essential for the diagnosis and monitoring of glaucoma.Knowledge of normal optic disc topography provides a benchmark for evaluating glaucomatous pathologic changes,especially in its early stages.The purpose of this study was to evaluate the characteristics and correlation factors of the optic disc parameters using the Heidelberg Retina Tomograph Ⅱ （HRT Ⅱ） in a large sample of normal eyes of adult Chinese subjects.Methods Disc data were obtained from 6 830 subjects aged ＞30 years from the Handan Eye Study.All participants underwent comprehensive eye examinations and physical examinations.The associations of gender,age,body mass index,blood pressure,waist-to-hip ratio; refractive error,intraocular pressure,axial length,and disc area were assessed using simple and multiple regression analysis.The correlation between HRT Ⅱ parameters was evaluated.Results Of the 7 557 eligible subjects,6 830 took part in the study （90.4％ response rate） and 2 633 normal eyes with good-quality HRT Ⅱ images were selected.The mean disc area was 2.28 mm2 （standard deviation （SD） 0.43） and mean neural rim area was 1.80 mm2 （SD 0.29）.In multiple regression analysis,optic disc area significantly correlated with age,gender,and axial length （P ＜0.001）.All optic disc parameters showed a significant correlation with disc area （0.054 ＜r ＜0.736,P ＜0.01）.The association between mean RNFL thickness and rim area is statistically significant but not strong （regression linear equation：rim area =1.42 × mean RNFL thickness ＋ 1.32 mm2,P ＜0.001; R2=0.070）.The global RNFL cross-sectional area was significantly associated with global rim area （regression linear equation：rim area =1.14× RNFL cross-sectional area ＋ 0.44 mm2,P ＜0.001; R2 =0.271）.Conclusions The optic disc area in rural Chinese population is larger than reported in white and Japanese populations,similar to that of Indian population and urban Chinese population.Most optic disc measurements were moderately or weakly affected by disc area.In addition to the RNFL,there may be other factors affecting the rim area.The relationship between optic disc and axial length may suggest a link between larger disc area,thinning of the lamina cribrosa,and increased glaucoma susceptibility in myopic eyes.     

Association between improved trunk stability and walking capacity using ankle-foot orthosis in hemiparetic patients with stroke: evidence from three-dimensional gait analysis

Background Restoration of both normal movement of the pelvis and centre of mass is a primary goal of walking rehabilitation in post-stroke patients because these movements are essential components of effective gait. The aim of this study is to quantitatively analyze the effect of ankle-foot orthosis on walking ability, and to investigate the correlation between improvements in trunk motion and walking capacity.     

A novel method of defective vascular reconstruction using 2-octyl-cyanoacrylate and homemade prosthetic component

Background Currently,adhesive technique is popular in vascular repair but not widely used for defective vessels.This study aimed to determine the feasibility and effectiveness of repairing defective vessels with 2-octyl-cyanoacrylate and a homemade prosthetic component.Methods Homemade prosthetic component consisting of expanded polytetrofluoroethylene （ePTFE）,terylene film,and homemade soluble hollow stent mixed with adhesive can replace autologous graft and suture in repairing defective vessels,can fix vessels better using the stent without occlusive bleeding.Forty male mongrel dogs were used,20 for biomechanical tests and 20 for animal experiments.In the biomechanical test,dogs were randomly divided into two groups （n=10 each）,one group repaired on the two sides of the carotid arteries with 2-octyl-cyanoacrylate and homemade component and another group repaired with suture and ePTFE.Of the 40 specimens,10 were used for adhesive and 10 for suture specimens for tension strength test,whereas the remaining specimens were used for bursting pressure test.In animal experiments,dogs were also divided into adhesive and suture groups （n=10）,only of the left carotid artery.Recording the operational time,bleeding or not.Vessels were tested using color Doppler ultrasound,the inner diameter was measured,and the degree of stenosis at 8 weeks was evaluated digital subtraction angiography （DSA） were also performed.Specimens were then analyzed histologically.Results In the adhesive and suture groups,the specimens could afford atension strength of （23.80±1.51） N versus （24.60±1.08） N （P ＞0.05）,the bursting pressure was （52.03±.2.43） kPa versus （50.04±3.51） kPa （P ＞0.05）,and the mean time of anastomosis was （15.20±0.55） minutes versus （25.97±0.58） minutes （P ＜0.05）.One dog in the adhesive group was bleeding from the suture.One dog from each group presented with thrombosis at 1 week.After measuring using ultrasound,the stenosis degree of all dogs were no more than 30％ except the two thromboses.DSA and histological observation showed no obvious difference between the two groups.Conclusion Defective vascular anastomosis with 2-octyl-cyanoacrylate and our homemade prosthetic component is feasible,effective,timesaving,and easy to master.     

An anatomical comparison of two minimally invasive pelvic reconstructive surgeries using fresh female cadavers

Background During the past decade, graft materials have been widespread used in the vagina in order to correct pelvic organ prolapse. The aim of this study was to describe and compare the exact anatomical position of the puncture devices and their relations to the relevant anatomical structures in the ProliftTM and a modified pelvic reconstructive surgery with mesh. Methods Twelve fresh cadavers were allocated randomly to either the ProliftTM or the modified pelvic reconstructive surgery group. Each group had six fresh cadavers. Relevant distances between the puncture devices and anatomical structures were recorded in both minimally invasive puncture surgeries. Results The mean distances from the posterior puncture points of the obturator membrane to the posterior branch of obturator arteries were shorter （（0.60＋0.36） cm and （0.78＋0.10） cm） when compared with the distances to the anterior branch of obturator arteries （（1.53＋0.46） cm and （1.86＋0.51） cm） for the reconstruction of the anterior compartment in both surgeries （all P 〈0.05）. The distance from the puncture points of the pelvic floor through the ischiorectal fossa to the coccygeal and inferior gluteal arteries in the ProliftTM technique （（0.88＋0.10） cm） and （（1.59＋0.36） cm））were much shorter than that in the modified pelvic reconstructive surgery （（2.95＋0.09） cm） and （（3.40＋0,36） cm）） for the reconstruction of the middle and posterior compartments （all P 〈0.05）. Conclusions Compared with the ProliftTM technique, the modified pelvic reconstructive surgery with mesh would be safer not to cause great damage to the inferior gluteal arteries and the coccygeal arteries, The posterior branch of obturator arteries would be easier to be injured than the anterior branch of obturator arteries during anterior compartment reconstruction in both surgeries.     

Clinical results and intramedullary signal changes of posterior decompression with transforaminal interbody fusion for thoracic myelopathy caused by combined ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament and ligamentum flavum

Background Surgical treatment of thoracic myelopathy caused by ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament （OPLL） and ossification of the ligamentum flavum （OLF） is technically demanding, and the results tend to be unfavorable. Various operative approaches and treatment strategies have been attempted, and posterior decompression with transforaminal thoracic interbody fusion （PTTIF） may be the optimal method with which the anterior-posterior compression was removed in one step. It is comparatively less traumatic with fewer serious complications.     

Prevalence of osteoporosis and vertebral fractures and related factors in patients with ankylosing spondylitis

Background Osteoporosis and vertebral factures are well recognized features in patients with ankylosing spondylitis （AS）.The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence and risk factors of osteoporosis and vertebral fractures in patients with AS.Methods Fifty-nine AS patients and 40 healthy controls were enrolled.Bone mineral density （BMD） was measured using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry （DEXA） at posterior-anterior （PA） lumbar,lateral lumbar and hip regions.Thoracic and lumbar X-rays were obtained for morphometric measurements.Clinical,biological and radiological statuses were evaluated with Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Index （BASDAI）,Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Metrology Index （BASMI）,Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Functional Index （BASFI）,Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Radiology Index-total （BASRI-t）,erythrocyte sedimentation rate （ESR） and the C-reactive protein levels.Results Osteoporosis was present in 32% of patients and 5% of controls according to lateral vertebral BMD measurements.Fracture was present in 31% of patients.The effect of some clinical and laboratory parameters on BMD status and vertebral fractures was analyzed in the patient group.Osteoporosis in lateral lumbar DEXA was associated with higher BASMI,BASFI,BASRI-t scores and ESR level.Low hip BMD was associated with low BMI and high BASFI and BASRI-t scores.Vertebral fractures were associated with advanced age,longer disease duration,longer duration since diagnosis,higher BASMI and BASRI-t scores,higher ESR level,reduced femoral and lateral lumbar BMD.Logistic regression analysis revealed that only BASRI-t score was significantly associated with low lateral spinal BMD and BMI and BASFI score were independently associated with low hip BMD.The presence of compression fractures was independently associated with BASRI-t score and low lateral lumbar BMD.Conclusions Osteoporosis and vertebral fractures in AS seem to be related to the extent of radiological involvement.A low lateral lumbar BMD     

Icariin associated with exercise therapy is an effective treatment for postmenopausal osteoporosis

Background  There are no conclusive studies evaluating the interaction between icariin and exercise for treatment of osteoporosis; the efficacy and safety of this treatment combination remains to be evaluated. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of icariin treatment combined with exercise therapy on bone parameters and body weight of ovariectomized rats.

Methods  Ovariectomized rats were used as a model of postmenopausal osteoporosis and were exposed to either icariin treatment, exercise, hormone replacement therapy, or a combination of the above. Untreated, ovariectomized rats and sham operated rats were used as controls. After 3 months of experimental interventions the effects of the treatments on the body and uterine weights, the physical and biomechanical properties of bones, and the expression of the osteoblast-specific gene Osterix (Osx), were assessed.

Results  The weight gain of the ovariectomized rats was greater than that of the treated experimental groups. Uterine weight and serum estradiol levels were significantly greater in sham operated and estrogen-treated ovariectomized rats than in the other groups. Biomechanical parameters were improved significantly in ovariectomized rats treated with exercise alone or treated with exercise and icariin. Osx expression was increased in ovariectomized rats treated with exercise and icariin or treated with just icariin.

Conclusions  Exercise combined with icariin had a synergistic effect in the early prevention of osteoporosis in ovariectomized rats. The effects of icariin and exercise on osteoporosis are worth further exploration.