Whole-Body Electromyostimulation Coupled with Aerobic Exercise Boosts Serum Irisin Levels in Healthy Individuals: A Pilot Study.

Irisin, a myokine secreted during physical activity, has garnered attention for its potential roles in cartilage homeostasis and musculoskeletal health. Whole-body electromyostimulation (WB-EMS) is an emerging exercise modality that enhances muscle recruitment and may stimulate greater irisin release. This study aimed to compare the acute serum irisin response following aerobic exercise with and without WB-EMS in healthy individuals.

Wharton's Jelly Mesenchymal Stromal Cell-Derived Extracellular Vesicles Attenuate Intervertebral Disc Degeneration Under Inflammatory Stress in an In Vitro 3D Culture System.

This study explores the therapeutic potential of extracellular vesicles (EVs) derived from Wharton's Jelly mesenchymal stem cells in an in vitro 3D model of intervertebral disc degeneration under inflammatory stress. The treatment with WJ-MSC-EVs enhanced nucleus pulposus cell proliferation, viability, and extracellular matrix synthesis while reducing oxidative stress and catabolic gene expression. These results support the promise of WJ-MSC-EVs as a novel, cell-free strategy for disc regeneration in inflammatory conditions.

Timing and neurological recovery in metastatic spinal cord compression: short and long-term outcomes of the internal bracing technique.

Purpose: Spinal metastases, affecting up to 40% of cancer patients, often arise from lung, prostate, and breast cancers. Metastatic spinal cord compression (MSCC) causes pain and neurological deficits, requiring timely surgical or radiotherapy interventions. This study evaluates neurological recovery after decompressive surgery and fixation using the "internal bracing" technique in patients with acute MSCC-related deficits, examining overall survival (OS) and its correlation with neurological outcomes.

Robot-navigated minimally invasive transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion workflow.

This video demonstrates the robot-navigated minimally invasive transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (MIS-TLIF) technique for spondylolisthesis. Navigation and robotics enhance accuracy in pedicle screw placement, reduce operative time and radiation exposure, and improve patient recovery. The case of a 70-year-old patient with L4-5 spondylolisthesis and spinal stenosis is presented.

The forgotten spine score: study protocol for a novel patient-centered outcome measure in lumbar spine fusion surgery.

Lumbar spine fusion (LSF) surgeries have increased due to the rising prevalence of degenerative spine disorders and advancements in surgical techniques. However, the success of these procedures should be evaluated from the patient's perspective, emphasizing the need for effective patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs). Existing PROMs often focus on symptoms and lack specific validation for surgical patients undergoing LSF.

Harnessing machine learning to predict and prevent proximal junctional kyphosis and failure in adult spinal deformity surgery: A systematic review.

Introduction: Adult spinal deformity (ASD) surgery involves high costs and risks, with Proximal Junctional Kyphosis (PJK) and Proximal Junctional Failure (PJF) being major concerns. Artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) offer potential in predicting and preventing these complications. This review examines the role of AI in predicting PJK/PJF, its effectiveness, and future research needs.

Histopathological examination of post-arthroscopy osteonecrosis of the knee: a scoping review.

Background: Post-arthroscopy osteonecrosis of the knee (PONK) was originally described based on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings in the absence of any histopathological evidence. However, several authors have demonstrated the absence of necrosis in histological samples of patients undergoing reoperation after diagnosis of PONK. The aim of this study was to evaluate and synthesize the available literature related to the histopathological characteristics of PONK cases and to determine the appropriateness of related terminology.

Intradiscal Mesenchymal Stromal Cell Therapy for the Treatment of Low Back Pain Due to Moderate-to-Advanced Multilevel Disc Degeneration: A Preliminary Report of a Double-Blind, Phase IIB Randomized Clinical Trial (DREAM Study).

Background: Low back pain (LBP) is a leading cause of disability worldwide, often associated with intervertebral disc degeneration (IDD). Mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) have emerged as a promising regenerative therapy for IDD due to their ability to promote tissue repair. This phase IIB randomized controlled trial aimed to evaluate the safety and efficacy of autologous bone marrow-derived MSC (BM-MSC) intradiscal injections in patients with chronic LBP due to moderate-to-advanced multilevel IDD.

Psychosocial Assessment as a Key Component in an Integrated, Personalized Care Pathway: A Protocol for a Low Back Pain Randomized Controlled Trial.

Introduction: Low back pain (LBP) is the primary factor contributing to years lived with disability. In view of the close correlation between the functions of the body, which cannot be examined piecemeal but as an integrated system, a holistic approach allows for a comprehensive assessment of the patient. The main objective of this study is to evaluate the impact of face-to-face or remote rehabilitation treatment on the psychosocial aspects of patients with chronic low back pain (CLBP) examining all possible related dimensions: cognitive function, anxiety and depression, pain perception, treatment adherence, the sexual sphere, family dynamics, social support, dysfunctional communication, quality of life (QoL), while also considering attribution of causes.

Deviation from preoperative planning and pedicle screw accuracy in navigated and robotic spinal fusion: a systematic review.

Purpose: Image-guided navigation and robotic systems have been introduced in spinal surgery to increase the accuracy of pedicle screws placement and reduce the rate of complications. The objective of this study is to evaluate the different final screw deviation from pre-operative planning and the associated pedicle screw accuracy in spinal fusion surgery assisted by image-guided navigation or robotic systems.

Methods: The systematic literature search was executed using PubMed-Medline, Cochrane Central, and Scopus on 30 April 2023.

The influence of psychological factors on postoperative clinical outcomes in patients undergoing lumbar spine surgery: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Purpose: The rate of lumbar spine surgeries has increased and the postoperative course is influenced not only by physical but also psychological factors. Patients with pre-existing psychological disorders appear to be more likely to develop anxiety and depression, these factors could negatively affect pain perception, disability, and quality of life. A systematic review and metanalysis were performed to determinate which psychological factors impact on spinal postoperative clinical outcomes and how it can influence postoperative clinical outcomes in patients undergoing spinal surgery.

Prevention and management of degenerative lumbar spine disorders through artificial intelligence-based decision support systems: a systematic review.

Background: Low back pain is the leading cause of disability worldwide with a significant socioeconomic burden; artificial intelligence (AI) has proved to have a great potential in supporting clinical decisions at each stage of the healthcare process. In this article, we have systematically reviewed the available literature on the applications of AI-based Decision Support Systems (DSS) in the clinical prevention and management of Low Back Pain (LBP) due to lumbar degenerative spine disorders.

Methods: A systematic review of Pubmed and Scopus databases was performed according to the PRISMA statement.

Histopathological evaluation of spontaneous osteonecrosis of the knee: time to reconsider history and nomenclature-a scoping review.

Spontaneous osteonecrosis of the knee (SONK) was first described by Ahlbäck et al. in 1968. However, subsequent studies revealed that subchondral fractures, rather than necrosis, are the most common histopathological finding in bone samples from patients diagnosed with SONK.

A Systematic Review on the Neuropsychological Assessment of Patients with LBP: The Impact of Chronic Pain on Quality of Life.

Low back pain (LBP) is most common pain syndrome in Europe, affecting approximately 50% of European citizens. LBP is a complex condition that negatively affects many aspects of an individual's life such as work productivity, mobility, and mental health. The aim of this study is to assess the impact of pain associated with chronic LBP on patients' quality of life.

Previous lumbar spine fusion increases the risk of dislocation following total hip arthroplasty in patients with hip-spine syndrome: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: With life expectancy on the rise, there has been an increase in patients with concomitant degenerative hip and spine pathology, defined as hip-spine syndrome (HSS). Patients affected by HSS may require both total hip arthroplasty (THA) and lumbar spinal fusion (LSF), although there is a paucity of data regarding how the sequential timing of these procedures may influence clinical outcomes. This study aims to compare complications and spinopelvic parameters in patients with HSS who underwent either LSF first or THA first.

How to Improve Meniscal Repair through Biological Augmentation: A Narrative Review.

Since the role of the menisci in knee stability, proprioception, and homeostasis has been well established, significant efforts have been made to repair meniscal tears, resulting in excellent clinical outcomes and a reduction in the progression of knee osteoarthritis (OA). However, varying failure rates have been reported, raising questions regarding the healing potential in cases of complex injuries, poorly vascularized and degenerated areas, and generally in the presence of unfavorable biological characteristics. Therefore, over the last few decades, different strategies have been described to increase the chances of meniscal healing.

Knee osteonecrosis after SARS-CoV-2 infection: a systematic case-based review.

Background: Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is the virus responsible for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Patients with COVID-19 manifested symptoms mainly related to the respiratory system, but also the musculoskeletal system can be involved. COVID-19 has been described as a possible cause of knee osteonecrosis (ON).

Higher Accuracy and Better Clinical Outcomes in Navigated Thoraco-Lumbar Pedicle Screw Fixation Versus Conventional Techniques : A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Study Design: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Objective: This study aims to compare pedicle screw accuracy, clinical outcomes, and complications between navigated and conventional techniques.

Summary Of Background Data: In the last decades, intraoperative navigation has been introduced in spinal surgery to prevent risks and complications.

Why clinical trials in disc regeneration strive to achieve completion: Insights from publication status and funding sources.

Background: Chronic discogenic low back pain (LBP) poses a significant global burden, yet effective therapeutic interventions directly targeting the underlying degenerative process remain elusive. After demonstrating promising results in preclinical studies, intradiscal injection of cell-based treatments has been increasingly investigated in the clinical setting. However, most clinical trials failed to reach publication, with the few available reports showing only minor improvements.

Intraoperative Cone-Beam Computed Tomography Navigation Versus 2-Dimensional Fluoroscopy in Single-Level Lumbar Spinal Fusion: A Comparative Analysis.

Objective: Several studies have advocated for the higher accuracy of transpedicular screw placement under cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) compared to conventional 2-dimensional (2D) fluoroscopy. The superiority of navigation systems in perioperative and postoperative outcomes remains a topic of debate. This study aimed to compare operative time, screw placement time and accuracy, total radiation dose, perioperative and postoperative outcomes in patients who underwent transpedicular screw fixation for degenerative lumbar spondylolisthesis (DLS) using intraoperative CBCT navigation versus 2D fluoroscopy.

Exploring Borate-Modified Calcium Phosphate Ceramics: Antimicrobial Potential and Cytocompatibility Assessment.

Addressing periprosthetic infections, which present significant healing challenges that often require revision surgeries, necessitates the development of novel antibacterial materials and implants. Current research focuses on creating materials that hinder bacterial adhesion, colonization, and proliferation in surrounding tissues. Boron (B)-containing compounds are known for their antibacterial properties and potential in bone metabolism for regenerative medicine.