Trends in pressure injury prevalence rates and average days to healing associated with adoption of a comprehensive wound care program and technology in skilled nursing facilities in the United States.

Introduction: A large SNF system in the United States adopted a holistic wound care model that included an AI DWMS to improve PI care.

Objective: To compare the trend in PI point prevalence rates and average days to healing linked to adopting technology in practice from 2021 to 2022, and to assess the rate of received PI F686 citations in facilities that adopted the technology compared with those that did not.

Methods: The study used the DWMS database to compare anonymized PI data assessed in 2021 (15 583 patients) vs 2022 (30 657 patients) from all SNF facilities that adopted the technology in 2021 and 2022.

Comparison of wound surface area measurements obtained using clinically validated artificial intelligence-based technology versus manual methods and the effect of measurement method on debridement code reimbursement cost.

Background: Evidence shows that ongoing accurate wound assessments using valid and reliable measurement methods is essential to effective wound monitoring and better wound care management. Relying on subjective interpretation in measuring wound dimensions and assuming a rectilinear shape of all wounds renders an inconsistent and inaccurate wound area measurement.

Objective: The authors investigated the discrepancy in wound area measurements using a DWMS versus TPR methods and compared debridement codes submitted for reimbursement by assessment method.

Use of Infrared Thermal Imaging for Assessing Acute Inflammatory Changes: A Case Series.

Infrared thermal imaging is a non-contact imaging modality that captures the heat emitted by the human body. Thermal regulation or heat load to the different body parts is mainly regulated via blood supply, which is increased during inflammation. The assessment of the body's level of inflammation with pain, erythema and heat is subjective clinical measurement.

Degenerative spondylolisthesis: a prospective cross-sectional cohort study on the role of weakened anterior abdominal musculature on causation.

Purpose: Degenerative spondylolisthesis (DS) is a degenerative condition of the spine which, unlike others, is more common in a female population. Previous studies have highlighted possible causative factors such as facet tropism and pregnancy as reasons for this. This study sets out to assess the possible link between abdominal musculature and DS.

Ten-year survival and clinical outcome of the AcroFlex lumbar disc replacement for the treatment of symptomatic disc degeneration.

Background Context: We have previously reported on the osseointegration, stability, and preserved motion of the AcroFlex lumbar disc replacement (LDR) in a nonhuman primate model. Detailed biomechanical testing of the device predicted implant survival for at least 10 years of in vivo use. Significant improvements in the clinical outcome were reported at 2 years.

Something is amiss.

Commentary on: Cao P, Jiang L, Zhuang C, et al. Intradiscal injection therapy for degenerative chronic discogenic low back pain with end plate Modic changes. Spine J 2011:11:100-106 (in this issue).

Innervation of anulus tears: an experimental animal study.

Study Design: A prospective immunohistological study in an animal model.

Objective: To identify and describe the phenotype of neoinnervation in experimental anular tears.

Summary Of Background Data: Controversy surrounds neoinnervation of degenerate discs which has been proposed as the anatomic basis for discogenic pain.

The prevalence and pathogenesis of synovial cysts within the ligamentum flavum in patients with lumbar spinal stenosis and radiculopathy.

Study Design: A clinicopathologic study of synovial cysts in the ligamentum flavum (LF) in patients with spinal stenosis.

Objective: To investigate the pathogenesis of lumbar juxtafacet cysts.

Summary Of Background Data: Contradictions in the terminology applied to lumbar juxtafacet cysts arise from the frequent sparsity of synovial lining cells, which has led to synovial cysts often being called "ganglion cysts" despite lacking confirmatory pathology.

The natural history of age-related disc degeneration: the influence of age and pathology on cell populations in the L4-L5 disc.

Study Design: A study of the density of cells in the L4-L5 disc during aging and in the presence of major pathology.

Objective: To quantify the density of cells throughout well-preserved adult L4-L5 discs and in discs containing major pathology.

Summary Of Background Data: The few and limited studies of disc have largely been part of biochemical studies having a major focus on disc nutrition.

Recent advances in annular pathobiology provide insights into rim-lesion mediated intervertebral disc degeneration and potential new approaches to annular repair strategies.

The objective of this study was to assess the impact of a landmark annular lesion model on our understanding of the etiopathogenesis of IVD degeneration and to appraise current IVD repairative strategies. A number of studies have utilised the Osti sheep model since its development in 1990. The experimental questions posed at that time are covered in this review, as are significant recent advances in annular repair strategies.

The biologic response to particles from a potential disc prosthesis material.

Study Design: An in vivo study of material from a potential disc prosthesis.

Objective: To examine the histopathologic effect of particulate debris on the dura and neural tissue in sheep.

Summary Of Background Data: Disc prostheses are emerging as alternatives to spinal fusion for the treatment of symptomatic degenerative lumbar disc disease.

The natural history of age-related disc degeneration: the pathology and sequelae of tears.

Study Design: A quasi 3-dimensional pathologic survey of tears in the L4-L5 disc.

Objective: To seek accurate information on the pathogenesis and outcomes of tears to facilitate correlation with radiologic imaging and biomechanical testing; and to improve laboratory models for testing hypotheses of disc function and failure.

Summary Of Background Data: Tears are evidence of structural failure involving the anulus.

The International Society for the Study of the Lumbar Spine: research trends over time and publication rates.

Study Design And Objectives: A retrospective review was conducted to assess trends in research selected for podium presentation at ISSLS.

Summary Of Background Data: Abstracts of past papers presented to ISSLS provide quantified documentation of trends in research as well as insight into future directions.

Methods: A systematic review of abstracts of research presented was performed.

Magnetic resonance imaging 20 years after anterior lumbar interbody fusion.

Study Design: A 20-year magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and functional outcome follow-up study was performed on patients who had undergone anterior lumbar interbody fusion.

Objectives: The objectives of the present study are to determine whether or not degeneration is related to adjacent level fusion and the clinical significance of this degeneration.

Summary Of Background Data: There are concerns that lumbar fusion leads to increase stress at the adjacent levels.

Supplementary stabilization with anterior lumbar intervertebral fusion--a radiologic review.

Study Design: A radiologic assessment of the success of anterior lumbar interbody fusion (ALIF) using thin-section computerized tomography (CT) was performed.

Objective: To assess the effect of different types of posterior stabilization on the fusion rate of ALIF.

Summary Of Background Data: Thin-section CT has shown a higher rate of pseudarthrosis with ALIF than previously reported with standard radiologic methods.

A randomized, double-blind, controlled trial: intradiscal electrothermal therapy versus placebo for the treatment of chronic discogenic low back pain.

Study Design: A prospective, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of intradiscal electrothermal therapy (IDET) for the treatment of chronic discogenic low back pain (CDLBP).

Objectives: To test the safety and efficacy of IDET compared with a sham treatment (placebo).

Summary Of Background Data: In North America alone, more than 40,000 intradiscal catheters have been used to treat CDLBP.

Effects of intervertebral disc infection on the developing ovine spine.

Study Design: A prospective in vivo animal study.

Objectives: To determine whether infection in the juvenile spine influences spinal development.

Summary Of Background Data: Discitis is thought to occur in children when blood-borne infection penetrates the highly vascular immature disc.

AcroFlex design and results.

The AcroFlex prosthesis is unique when compared to other current devices, as it has an elastomeric core sandwiched between two titanium endplates. The purpose of this design was to optimize shock absorption qualities. This paper reviews the design of the AcroFlex Disc and relevant design and outcomes of two pilot studies carried out on 28 patients using the AcroFlex prosthesis.

Does intradiscal electrothermal therapy denervate and repair experimentally induced posterolateral annular tears in an animal model?

Study Design: The effects of intradiscal electrothermal therapy (IDET) on intervertebral discs in sheep were studied experimentally.

Objectives: Posterolateral annular lesions were experimentally induced and allowed to mature for 12 weeks in the intervertebral discs of sheep. IDET was performed in an attempt to denervate and repair the annular lesion.

Radiologic assessment of interbody fusion using carbon fiber cages.

Study Design: A comparative study investigated the use of plain static radiographs, flexion-extension radiographs, and thin-section helical computed tomography (CT) scanning in the assessment of anterior lumbar interbody fusion using carbon fiber cages.

Objective: To compare plain static radiographs, flexion-extension radiographs, and thin-section helical computed tomography scans in the assessment of lumbar interbody fusion using carbon fiber cages.

Summary Of Background Data: Lumbar interbody fusion has become a popular procedure for the treatment of discogenic back pain.

The biologic response to particles from a lumbar disc prosthesis.

Study Design: Particles of a proprietary polyolefin rubber compound used in a lumbar disc prosthesis were generated in vitro and tested for biocompatibility in two animal models. OBJECTIVE To characterize any tissue response to polyolefin rubber particles.

Summary Of Background Data: Intervertebral disc prostheses are emerging as alternatives to fusion techniques for the treatment of symptomatic disc degeneration.

Total disc replacement arthroplasty using the AcroFlex lumbar disc: a non-human primate model.

Using a non-human primate model, the current study was undertaken to investigate the efficacy of the AcroFlex lumbar disc as an intervertebral disc prosthesis, based on biomechanical, histopathologic and histomorphometric analyses. A total of 20 mature male baboons (Papio cynocephalus, mean weight 30 kg) were randomized into two equal groups based on post-operative time periods of 6 (n=10) and 12 months (n=10). Each animal underwent an anterior transperitoneal surgical approach to the lumbar spine, with intervertebral reconstructions performed at L3-L4 and L5-L6 using the following techniques: (1) tricortical iliac autograft and (2) AcroFlex lumbar disc.