Brent A. Felix, MD - Blog
Age no barrier for back surgery benefits
Seniors can benefit from herniated disc surgery, according to the results of a study conducted by Mattis A. Madsbu, a medical student at the Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU) and colleagues at the Department of Neurosurgery at St. Olavs Hospital in Trondheim, Norway. Madsbu's supervisor was NTNU consultant neurosurgeon Sasha Gulati.
Presenter discusses factors that impact sagittal balance after TLIF
Inherent lordosis of the cage, an expandable nature, anterior position of the cage and compression of pedicle screws impacted the postoperative sagittal balance of patients who underwent transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion, according to a presenter at the American Association of Neurological Surgeons Annual Scientific Meeting.
Exercise good for the spine
A world-first study has shown that specific physical activity benefits the discs in our spines and may help to prevent and manage spinal pain.
Generating improvement in spinal cord injuries
A new therapy to treat spinal cord injuries in people who have lost all motor and sensory function below the injury site shows additional motor function improvement at 6-months and 9-months following treatment with 10 million AST-OPC1. The positive efficacy results from an ongoing research study were announced on Jan. 24 in a conference held by Asterias Biotherapeutics, Inc., the biotechnology company that manufactures AST-OPC1
Location of spinal correction influences risk of proximal junctional kyphosis development
A new study reports that PJK risk following lumbar spinal fusion depends on the level of the spine fused. Specifically, the authors – who include members of the International Spine Study Group (ISSG) from multiple academic centers – found that fusing the lower portion of lumbar spine results in a decreased risk of PJK.
Spinal cord injury patients face many serious health problems besides paralysis
Spinal cord patients also are at higher risk for cardiovascular disease; pneumonia; life-threatening blood clots; bladder, bowel and sexual dysfunction; constipation and other gastrointestinal problems; pressure ulcers; and chronic pain, according to a report published in the journal Current Neurology and Neuroscience Reports.
New trial may revolutionise treatment of spinal cord injury patients
Queensland researchers are launching a world-first clinical trial aimed at improving recovery from spinal cord injuries.
In the study, led by The University of Queensland and The Princess Alexandra (PA) Hospital, a new anti-inflammatory drug will be given to participants within hours of spinal trauma in an effort to minimise tissue damage.
New system to detect spinal deformity
Researchers have developed a symmetry-recognition system for the surface of the human back that can three-dimensionally detect the early stages of idiopathic scoliosis, a type of spinal deformity, without the help of a specialist doctor.
Tai chi can help relieve chronic neck pain, study shows
Tai Chi, a low-impact mind-body exercise, can be as effective as neck exercises in relieving persistent neck pain, according to results of randomized controlled trial reported in The Journal of Pain, the peer-reviewed publication of the American Pain Society.
Study links chronic low back pain and illicit drug use in patients in community setting
Adults with chronic low back pain in the United States were more likely to use marijuana, cocaine, heroin and methamphetamine and were also more likely to have a current prescription for pain-relieving opioid analgesics than adults without chronic low back pain, according to investigators
