Development and evaluation of thoracic kyphosis and lumbar lordosis during growth

Purpose The aim of this study was to establish ranges of angular variation in lordotic and kyphotic curves in normal male and female children and adolescents. Methods We developed a pantograph to measure dorsal curves. It consisted of a tripod-supported vertical strut to which an articulated bar was fixed and which had an arm that was able to follow the dorsal surface while moving up and down. This arm was positioned over the C7 spinous process and followed spinous processes to L5 at constant speed. A laser beam was used to ensure the proper positioning of the pantograph and the subject. The motion was recorded using software so that the dorsal outline was represented on a computer screen, and lordotic and kyphotic curves were automatically measured. Before performing the population study, the pantograph was validated in 20 normal subjects by comparing the pantograph measurements with lateral spine radiographs. There were no statistically significant differences in the measurements. There were 718 subjects with no race selection, of whom 350 were males and 368 females ranging in age from 5 to 20 years and presenting normal weight and height. Individuals with generalized ligament laxity, trunk asymmetry, muscle retraction, or any orthopedic anomaly were excluded from the study. Data were analyzed according to age and gender. Student’s t tests and regression analysis were performed. Results Kyphotic curves increased linearly from 25° at 7 years of age to 38° at 19 years of age (kyphotic angle = 25° + 0.58 × age). Lordotic curves increased linearly from 22° at 5 years of age to 32° at 20 years of age (lordotic angle = 24° + 0.51 × age). There were no differences between males and females. Conclusions The pantograph that was developed for this study was successfully used to establish the normal ranges and progression of thoracic kyphosis and lumbar lordosis in the studied population. Both curves increased linearly with age, with no differences between males and females.     

后路全脊椎截骨矫形手术器械的设计和临床应用(附1200例报告)

[目的]研制一套专用于脊柱后凸、侧后凸畸形手术截骨矫形器械。[方法]该器械通过后方入路（常规器械切除脊椎后结构）经双侧椎弓根、椎体行楔形截骨，直到椎体前缘皮质下。[结果]使用该器械共手术矫正后凸及侧后凸畸形1200例，最高截骨平面T.水平，单病例最多截骨达4处，平均截骨2处，一处椎体截骨时间平均30min，出血约100ml，术中脊髓和神经根保护安全。[结论]后路全脊椎截骨矫形器械具有截骨规范、手术时间短、术中出血少、脊髓和神经根保护安全、截骨创面对合紧密、利于截骨创面愈合等优点。适用于各种原因导致的脊柱后凸畸形截骨矫正手术，显著降低术中和术后并发症：     

Association of thoracic kyphosis with subjective poor health, functional activity and blood pressure in the community-dwelling elderly

Objectives The prevalence of thoracic kyphosis is considered to increase as the population is ageing in Japan. However, little is known about the clinical and preventive significance of kyphosis. The purpose of the study is to assess the association of kyphosis with subjective poor health and functional activity in the community-dwelling Japanese elderly. The relation of kyphosis with blood pressure, as a subclinical indicator of arteriosclerosis, is also examined. Methods The subjects consisted of 536 (male 241, female 295) elderly persons aged 65 years old and older. Trained examiners measured thoracic kyphosis using a flexicurve, and kyphosis index was calculated. Information on the subjects’ subjective poor health and functional activity were collected through a face-to-face interview, and blood pressure was measured by a conventional method. Results In females, their kyphosis index increased with age increased, whereas in males, there was no clear age-related change. An increased kyphosis index was associated with subjective poor health only among females. Compared with the lowest kyphosis index tertile, adjusted odds ratios for being in poor health were 5.4 (95% confidence interval: 1.1–27.4) in the middle tertile, and 6.4 (95% confidence interval: 1.3–32.1) in the highest tertile. Kyphosis index did not seem to be associated with functional activity score and blood pressure both in males and females even after adjustment. Conclusions Kyphosis is associated with subjective poor health in the community-dwelling female elderly in this study population, but not with functional activity and blood pressure both in males and females.     

三维有限元在正常与后凸畸形胸腰椎体力学性能比较中的应用

目的:比较分析T12、L1脊柱椎体下表面在纵向压缩载荷下的应力分布及变化趋势,为胸腰段脊柱后凸畸形患者的治疗及康复提供生物力学依据。方法:通过新鲜脊柱标本CT扫描影像建立正常的T10-L2段脊柱三维计算机模型,再通过自由造型系统重建脊柱后凸畸形15°模型。对两种模型均施加纵向800N压缩载荷,比较分析T12、L1椎体下表面的应力分布及变化趋势。结果:正常T12、L1椎体在承受纵向压缩载荷时,主要载荷集中在椎体后部以及脊柱的后部结构;后凸畸形T12、L1脊柱主要靠椎体承受纵向压缩载荷,且载荷主要集中于椎体前部。结论:在纵向压缩载荷下,正常脊柱T12-L1段椎体后部容易损伤和骨折,后凸脊柱T12-L1段椎体前部容易损伤和骨折。     

利用成年猪脊柱制作胸腰段后凸畸形模型进行脊柱三维运动实验

[目的]探讨应用成年猪脊柱制作胸腰段后凸畸形模型进行生物力学实验研究的可行性,以及胸腰段后凸畸形对腰椎三维运动的生物力学影响.[方法]收集24例成年家猪胸腰椎脊柱新鲜标本,随机分为三组,制造两个Cobb角度水平的胸腰段后凸畸形和相应的腰椎过度前凸模型,进行脊柱三维运动实验,测量L2、3和L4、5的前屈/后伸、左/右侧弯、左/右旋转的运动范围( ROM)以及所对应的中性区(NZ)的大小,对各组数值进行方差分析,用snk(q检验)法对分组变量进行多重比较.[结果]后凸的胸腰段对邻近运动节段(L2、3)矢状面上的运动(前屈/后伸)ROM以及NZ的影响更明显,P＜0.05,而左/右侧弯、左/右旋转的ROM及NZ没有统计学差异,P＞0.05;而下腰椎运动节段(L4、5)的前屈/后伸、左/右侧弯、左/右旋转的ROM及NZ均没有统计学差异,P＞0.05.[结论]利用成年猪脊柱制作胸腰段后凸畸形模型进行脊柱三维运动实验是可行、简便、有效的;腰椎前屈/后伸运动范围的过度增大,是胸腰段后凸畸形后为维持脊柱矢状面平衡的一个重要代偿改变,且ROM的增大以上腰椎的改变更为明显.     

钛网植骨结合椎弓根钉棒内固定修复胸椎结核：重建脊柱生理曲度及稳定性

背景：胸椎结核经前入路或前后联合入路病灶清除、植骨、内固定是常用的修复方案,已沿用数十年,但存在创伤大、切除肋骨、减压不彻底、胸腹腔干扰大、术后疼痛、气胸、胸腔及肺部感染等不足。目的：观察钛网自体骨植骨融合与椎弓根钉棒系统内固定修复胸椎结核,重建脊柱生理曲度及稳定性的随访结果。方法：对32例胸椎结核患者采用后路椎体切除病灶清除,充分解除脊髓压迫,植入钛网自体骨,椎弓根钉棒系统内固定治疗。取后正中切口,应至少包括病变部位头、尾侧各2节脊椎,暴露双侧椎板至小关节外侧及肋骨近端1.0-2.0 cm,并与病椎头、尾侧脊椎双侧分别置入椎弓根螺钉,头、尾侧各2对,一侧固定。在另一侧病椎及下一椎切除一侧椎板、关节突、肋骨头,肋骨切除约1 cm,游离神经根,椎管减压,注意保护脊髓及神经根,吸出椎旁脓肿中脓液。切除椎弓根,受累椎间盘,椎体病灶,直至椎体病灶边缘组织外观正常,无死骨,无结核物质及肉芽组织,椎体破坏严重,两侧椎旁脓肿流注节段较多,经一侧病灶不能清除干净的部分患者,减压侧连接钉棒,以保持病变椎体切除时椎体的暂时稳定。同法从另一侧彻底清除同侧病灶,完全游离硬脊膜,反复冲洗。观察患者的植骨融合时间、骨折愈合、神经功能恢复情况及相关并发症。结果与结论：随访12-38个月,全部患者于治疗后11-19个月（平均16.3个月）植骨融合,脊柱后凸畸形获得70%-100%（平均86%）矫正,脊髓神经功能恢复正常,未出现复发及内固定失效病例。提示Ⅰ期经后路病灶清除、钛网植骨、椎弓根钉棒系统内固定修复胸椎结核,具有病灶清除彻底,创伤小,畸形矫正,植骨融合满意等优点,是修复胸椎脊柱结核的有效方案。     

后路全脊椎切除截骨联合阶梯矫形治疗僵硬性角状后凸：生物力学分析

背景：严重脊柱角状后凸畸形可导致患者脊髓的损伤和早期退变等病理过程的加重,严重者会出现双下肢不完全瘫痪,甚至完全瘫痪。手术治疗是惟一的解决途径和方法,但难度大,风险高,并且极易出现术后并发症。目的：应用生物力学原理分析经后路全脊椎切除截骨联合阶梯矫形治疗僵硬性角状后凸的科学性和有效性。方法：选择严重脊柱角状后凸畸形经后路全脊椎切除截骨联合双侧钉棒梯次紧凑闭合脊髓逐步短缩、矫形内固定治疗的患者共90例,男37例,女52例,平均年龄47岁。对患者术前术后的后凸角、脊柱矢状位失平衡、躯干侧方偏移率、手术时间、术中失血量进行对比分析。结果与结论：患者术前后凸角为31°-138°,平均90.1°;术后10°-90°,平均41.6°,改善率为65%。C 7铅垂线距S 1后上缘距离术后平均5.2 mm,矫正率为73%。术中失血量为1200-6000 mL,平均失血量为2089 mL。手术时间为212-470 min,平均326 min。术后随访20-35个月,所有患者的截骨节段均获得骨性融合,无脊髓损伤并发症出现,无矫形角度丢失。提示根据细胞生物力学特点和脊柱生物力学原理设计的双侧钉棒联合阶梯紧凑闭合脊髓逐步短缩脊柱矫形治疗在胸腰椎角状后凸畸形的矫正过程中能够最大限度保护脊髓细胞不受损伤,具有充分的细胞生理学基础,符合人体生物力学和生理学特点。术中应注意对神经根的保护和松解,避免术后出现相对应的神经根刺激症状。充分的植骨融合是保证对后凸畸形矫正和避免脊柱侧方偏移,同时又是恢复脊柱功能和术后矫形效果的有效保障。     

Effects of bracing on lung function in idiopathic juvenile kyphosis

Although considerable information is available on the effects of bracing on lung function in kyphoscoliosis, there is a paucity of data on idiopathic juvenile kyphosis (IJK). The present study was designed to investigate the immediate effect of bracing on lung function in children and adolescents with mild-to-moderate IJK. Spirometry, measurement of lung volumes, and arterial oxyhemoglobin saturation (SaO(2)) were performed in 24 patients, 9-17 years of age, who were treated with a corrective brace for mild-to-moderate IJK (Cobb angle, 46-75 degrees ). Children were studied when braced and unbraced.When children were unbraced, mean percent predicted values (+/-standard deviation) for total lung capacity (TLC), vital capacity (VC), functional residual capacity (FRC), and forced expiratory volume in 1 sec (FEV(1)) were 100.0% (+/-13.0%), 92.7% (+/-14.2%), 108.2% (+/-20.4%), and 95.0% (+/-16.3%), respectively. With the brace on, significant reductions occurred in all lung function measurements: TLC decreased by 9.5% (P < 0.001), VC by 9.3% (P = 0.001), FRC by 14.2% (P = 0.005), and FEV(1) by 8.9% (P = 0.009). SaO(2) decreased from 96.2% (+/-1.6%) to 95.2% (+/-1.4%) (P = 0.027). An inverse relationship was observed between pre- and postbracing change in TLC and Cobb angle children (P = 0.021).Our findings indicate that corrective bracing in mild-to-moderate IJK results in mild lung restriction and a clinically insignificant drop in SaO(2). The effect of bracing on TLC decreases as the severity of kyphosis increases in these patients.     

Association between moderate physical activity,spinal motion and back muscle strength in postmenopausal women with and without osteoporosis

Objective. The purpose of this study was to determine whether physical activity levels of postmenopausal women were associated with their bone mineral density (BMD), back extensor strength (BES), severity of thoracic kyphosis and range of spinal motion.

Method. This study adopted a cross-sectional design. 189 female subjects from 50 to 80 years of age were divided into moderately active (n = 63) and sedentary (n = 126) groups according to their physical activity level, which is measured by the physical activity score. BMD (lumbar spine and hip), BES, severity of thoracic kyphosis and range of spinal motion in the sagittal and frontal plane were measured in each subject.

Results. The groups differed significantly in the range of spinal motion in the sagittal plane (p = 0.01) (moderately active: 26.9±10.8; sedentary: 23.0±10.2), as well as in the right frontal plane (p < 0.001) (moderately active: 27.1 ± 6.4; sedentary: 23.4 ± 7.5) and left frontal plane (p < 0.001) (moderately active: 27.6 ± 6.5; sedentary 23.7 ± 7.4). There were no significant differences in BMD (active: 0.88 ± 0.18 g/cm²; sedentary: 0.98 ± 0.15 g/cm²), severity of thoracic kyphosis (active: 52.9 ± 12.4; sedentary: 51.9 ± 11.8) or BES (active: 49.0 N ± 14.6; sedentary: 46.6 N ± 15.1).

Conclusions. This study demonstrates that active women had better range of spinal motion than sedentary women, but they did not differ significantly in severity of thoracic kyphosis, BES and BMD.     

Arm span–height difference is correlated with gastroesophageal reflux symptoms in aged Japanese subjects

Previous studies have indicated an association between the symptoms of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and aging plus height. In this study we investigated whether the arm span–height difference was related to GERD symptoms with a focus on aged subjects in the general population, since the arm span reflects the height in young adulthood before decreasing due to vertebral deformities from aging. A total of 285 elderly individuals (105 females) who visited nursing homes for the elderly in Japan were enrolled in this study. The GERD symptoms were evaluated by the Frequency Scale for the Symptoms of GERD (FSSG). The body weight, height and arm span were measured, and information regarding medications and complications were reviewed in each nursing record. 50.5% of women had more than 3 cm of arm span–height difference. In contrast, only 37.3% of men had more than 3 cm of arm span–height difference. The FSSG scores indicated more than 70% of subjects complained of any GERD symptoms. There was a significant correlation between the FSSG score and the arm span–height difference in the subjects with more than 3 cm of arm span-height difference (r = 0.236; p = 0.012). The correlation between the arm span–height difference and the FSSG score was significant only in women in females in the present study. In conclusion, our findings indicate that vertebral deformity evaluated by the arm span–height difference might have some positive relationship to the pathogenesis of GERD symptoms in elderly Japanese individuals.