Xi-Ming Xu

Spontaneous Thoracic Curve Correction After Selective Posterior Fusion of Thoracolumbar/Lumbar Curves in Lenke 5C Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis.

Abstract Selective fusion of the thoracolumbar/lumbar (TL/L) curve is an effective method for the treatment of Lenke type 5C curves. Several studies have demonstrated that spontaneous correction of the thoracic curve does indeed occur. However, how this correction occurs after isolated posterior segmental instrumentation of the structural lumbar curve has not been well described. The aim of this study was to evaluate the response of the thoracic curve to selective TL/L curve fusion in patients with Lenke type 5C adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) and assess the correlative clinical outcomes. Thirty-four consecutive patients with Lenke type 5C AIS were included in this study. All patients underwent selective TL/L curve instrumentation and fusion via the posterior approach. Coronal and sagittal radiographs were analyzed before surgery, at 1 week after surgery and at least 2 years after surgery. The preoperative coronal Cobb angle of the major TL/L curve was 45.4° ± 7.0°, and that of the minor thoracic curve was 25.4° ± 8.8°. The major TL/L and minor thoracic curves were corrected to postoperative angles of 9.5° ± 5.0° and 11.2° ± 5.2°, respectively, and measured 10.5° ± 6.0° and 13.4° ± 7.5° at the follow-up, respectively. The supine side-bending average Cobb angle of the thoracic curve was 9.9°. These results demonstrate satisfactory improvements because of coronal and sagittal restoration. Significant correlations were found between the preoperative and early postoperative conditions and the Cobb angle changes of the minor thoracic curve and the major TL/L curves (r = 0.42, P = 0.01). Significant correlations were also observed between the early and final follow-up postoperative conditions and the Cobb angle changes of the minor thoracic curve and the major TL/L curves (r = 0.57, P < 0.001). Significant correlations were observed between increased thoracic kyphosis (TK) and increased lumbar lordosis (LL) in the preoperative and early postoperative conditions (r = 0.36, P = 0.035) and between increased TK and increased LL in the preoperative and final follow-up postoperative conditions (r = 0.51, P = 0.002). Spontaneous correction of the thoracic curve is a reflection of the TL/L curve correction in Lenke 5C AIS patients. Supine side-bending radiographs are an effective method of predicting the spontaneous correction of thoracic curves. The correction of LL is important for maintaining spinal sagittal alignment.

Comparative Analysis of Interval, Skipped, and Key-vertebral Pedicle Screw Strategies for Correction in Patients With Lenke Type 1 Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis.

AbstractPedicle screw constructs have become the mainstay for surgical correction in patients with spinal deformities. To reduce or avoid the risk of pedicle screw-based complications and to decrease the costs associated with pedicle screw instrumentation, some authors have introduced interval, skipped, and key-vertebral pedicle screw strategies for correction. However, there have been no comparisons of outcomes among these 3 pedicle screw-placement strategies.The aim of this study was to compare the correlative clinical outcomes of posterior correction and fusion with pedicle screw fixation using these 3 surgical strategies.Fifty-six consecutive patients with Lenke type 1 adolescent idiopathic scoliosis were included in this study. Twenty patients were treated with the interval pedicle screw strategy (IPSS), 20 with the skipped pedicle screw strategy (SPSS), and 16 with the key-vertebral pedicle screw strategy (KVPSS). Coronal and sagittal radiographs were analyzed before surgery, at 1 week after surgery, and at the last follow-up after surgery.There were no significant differences among the 3 groups regarding preoperative radiographic parameters. No significant difference was found between the IPSS and SPSS groups in correction of the main thoracic curve (70.8% vs 70.0%; P = 0.524). However, there were statistically significant differences between the IPSS and KVPSS groups (70.8% vs 64.9%) and between the SPSS and KVPSS groups (70.0% vs 64.9%) in correction of the main thoracic curve (P < 0.001 for both). Additionally, there were no significant differences among the 3 strategies for sagittal parameters at the immediate postoperative and last postoperative follow-up periods, though there were significant differences in the Cobb angle between the preoperative and immediate postoperative periods among the 3 groups, but not between the immediate postoperative and last follow-up periods. The amount of hospital charges in the SPSS group was significantly higher than those in the IPSS (P < 0.001) and KVPSS groups (P < 0.001). There were also significant differences in operative time between the IPSS and KVPSS groups (P < 0.001) and between the SPSS and KVPSS groups (P < 0.001).Each of the 3 types of pedicle screw strategies for correction in patients with Lenke type 1 adolescent idiopathic scoliosis are effective, with satisfactory coronal and acceptable sagittal plane results. Although the KVPSS does not provide superior operative correction compared with the IPSS and SPSS, it can achieve a satisfactory clinical outcome and is more cost-effective.

The Chinese version of the Tampa Scale for Kinesiophobia was cross-culturally adapted and validated in patients with low back pain.

OBJECTIVES The aim of the present study was to obtain a cross-cultural adaptation and evaluation of a Simplified Chinese (SC) version of the Tampa Scale for Kinesiophobia (TSK) for use in patients with low back pain (LBP). STUDY DESIGN AND SETTING The TSK was translated and adapted cross-culturally following international guidelines. It was administered to 150 patients with LBP along with the Fear Avoidance Beliefs Questionnaire, Oswestry Disability Index, Short Form Health Survey, and a pain visual analog scale assessment. Measurement properties, including content validity, construct validity (structural validity and hypotheses testing), internal consistency, and test-retest reliability, were tested. RESULTS The final analysis included data from 142 patients. Content validity analysis led to the exclusion of four reverse-scored items due to low item-total correlation. Structural validity analysis favored a three-factor structure: somatic focus, activity avoidance, and avoidance belief. Construct validity analysis confirmed 9 of 11 a priori hypotheses. Both the 17-item and 13-item versions of the SC-TSK had excellent internal consistency (Cronbachs α = 0.74 and 0.82, all values, respectively) and test-retest reliability (intraclass correlation coefficient = 0.86, 0.90). CONCLUSION TSK was adapted successfully into an SC version with excellent internal consistency and test-retest reliability and with acceptable construct validity. A 13-item, three-factored SC-TSK structure was deemed to be a good fit for Chinese patients and appropriate for clinical and research use in mainland China.

LIPUS promotes spinal fusion coupling proliferation of type H microvessels in bone

Low-intensity pulsed ultrasound (LIPUS) has been found to accelerate spinal fusion. Type H microvessels are found in close relation with bone development. We analyzed the role of type H vessels in rat spinal fusion model intervened by LIPUS. It was found LIPUS could significantly accelerate bone fusion rate and enlarge bone callus. Osteoblasts were specifically located on the bone meshwork of the allograft, and were surrounded by type H microvessels. LIPUS could significantly increase the quantity of osteoblasts during spine fusion, which process was coupled with elevated angiogenesis of type H microvessels. Our results suggest that LIPUS may be a noninvasive adjuvant treatment modality in spinal fusion for clinical use. The treatment is recommended for usage for at least one month.

Validation of the simplified Chinese version of the functional rating index for patients with nonspecific neck pain in mainland China.

Study Design. Validation of a self-report questionnaire, Functional Rating Index (FRI). Objective. To evaluate the psychometric properties of the simplified Chinese (SC) version of FRI in patients with nonspecific neck pain (NP). Summary of Background Data. FRI has been cross-culturally validated in few languages with excellent reliability, validity, and clinical utility when it is applied in patients with low back pain. Recently, it has been pointed out that FRI can be employed to assess patients with NP. However, FRI has not been validated in patients with NP in China. Methods. The cross-culturally adapted 10-item SC-FRI was completed by 122 patients with nonspecific NP, along with the Neck Disability Index, Neck Pain and Disability Scale, 36-Item Short Form Health Survey, and Pain Visual Analogue Scale. Psychometric evaluation included score distribution, internal consistency, test-retest reliability, and construct validity. Results. SC-FRI attained a high completion rate (96.9%). Each item was scored with a normal distribution without any floor and ceiling effects. The internal consistency and test-retest reliability were good to excellent (Cronbach &agr; coefficient = 0.86; intraclass r = 0.97). Construct validity was confirmed by a strong correlation with Neck Disability Index, Neck Pain and Disability Scale, and Visual Analogue Scale (r = 0.77, 0.78, and 0.86, respectively, all P < 0.0001), and with the physical functioning and bodily pain domains (r = −0.69 and −0.66, respectively, both P < 0.0001), and by a weak correlation with the vitality, role-emotional, and mental health domains of 36-Item Short Form Health Survey. Conclusion. SC-FRI showed satisfactory clinical utility, internal consistency, test-retest reliability, and construct validity in Chinese-speaking patients with nonspecific NP. Level of Evidence: 3

Reliability and validity of simplified Chinese version of Swiss Spinal Stenosis Questionnaire for patients with degenerative lumbar spinal stenosis.

Study Design. This was a prospective clinical validation study. Objective. To evaluate the reliability and validity of the adapted simplified Chinese version of Swiss Spinal Stenosis (SC-SSS) Questionnaire. Summary of Background Data. The SSS Questionnaire is a reliable and valid instrument to assess the perception of function and pain for patients with degenerative lumbar spinal stenosis. However, there is no culturally adapted SSS Questionnaire for use in mainland China. Methods. This was a prospective clinical validation study. The adaption was conducted according to International Quality of Life Assessment Project guidelines. To examine the psychometric properties of the adapted SC-SSS Questionnaire, a sample of 105 patients with lumbar spinal stenosis were included. Thirty-two patients were randomly selected to evaluate the test-retest reliability. Reliability assessment of the SC-SSS Questionnaire was determined by calculating Cronbach &agr; and intraclass coefficient values. Concurrent validity was assessed by correlating SC-SSS Questionnaire scores with relevant domains of the 36-Item Short Form Health Survey. Results. Cronbach &agr; of the symptom severity scale, physical function scale, patients, and satisfaction scale of SC-SSS Questionnaire are 0.89, 0.86, 0.91, respectively, which revealed very good internal consistency. The test–retest reproducibility was found to be excellent with the intraclass correlation coefficient of 0.93, 0.91, and 0.95. In terms of concurrent validity, SC-SSS Questionnaire had good correlation with physical functioning and bodily pain of 36-Item Short Form Health Survey (r = 0.663, 0.653) and low correlation with mental health (r = 0.289). The physical function scale had good correlation with physical functioning of 36-Item Short Form Health Survey (r = 0.637), whereas the rest had moderate correlation. The satisfaction scale score was highly correlated with the change in the symptom severity (r = 0.71) and physical function (r = 0.68) scale score. Conclusion. The SC-SSS Questionnaire showed satisfactory reliability and validity in the evaluation of functionality in patients with lumbar spinal stenosis who are experiencing neurogenic claudication. It is simple and easy to use and can be recommended in clinical and research practice in mainland China. Level of Evidence: 3

Cervical Sagittal Alignment Limited Adjustment After Selective Posterior Thoracolumbar/Lumbar Curve Correction in Patients With Lenke Type 5C Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis.

Study Design. A retrospective clinical and radiographic study. Objective. The aim of this study was to analyze the radiographic change in cervical sagittal alignment (CSA) and identify the possible factors influencing the postoperative CSA in selective posterior thoracolumbar/lumbar (TL/L) curve correction. Summary of Background Data. The correlation between the CSA and thoracic sagittal alignment (TSA) is a well-recognized phenomenon in patients with thoracic idiopathic scoliosis. However, little has been published about the influence of TL/L curve instrumentation on CSA. Methods. Thirty patients with Lenke type 5C adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) received the selective posterior TL/L curves fusion by pedicle screws. Preoperative and postoperative radiographic and clinical parameters were analyzed. C2-C7 lordosis less than 0 was considered a lordotic cervical spine (LCS), whereas more than 0 was considered a kyphotic cervical spine (KCS). Results. Preoperatively, 43% of patients showed a KCS, whereas the remaining 57% showed a LCS. C2-C7 lordosis was correlated with T1-slope, thoracic kyphosis (TK), and global-TK (Gl-TK) (P < 0.05). The patients in the KCS group showed a smaller T1-slope, TK, and Gl-TK than those in the LCS group. Logistic regression analysis revealed that the T1-slope [odds ratio (OR) = 0.86, P = 0.008] and Gl-TK (OR = 0.90, P = 0.019) were risk factors for developing KCS. In the LCS group, 5 of 12 patients with LCS exhibited KCS after surgery. The T1-slope and Gl-TK in the changed group were considerably smaller than those in the maintained group (P = 0.004 and 0.035, respectively). In the KCS group, 6 of 13 patients with KCS unrecovered to LCS after the operation. The T1-slope in the unrecovered group was smaller than that in the recovered group (P = 0.045). Conclusion. C2-C7 lordosis was strongly correlated with the T1-slope. C2-C7 lordosis of Lenke 5C AIS was related to the global TSA rather than TK and proximal TK. As time progresses, spontaneous adjustment of CSA is limited because of the inherent rigidity of the cervical spine. Level of Evidence: 4

Chinese Adaptation of the Bad Sobernheim Stress Questionnaire for Patients With Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis Under Brace Treatment.

Abstract Bad Sobernheim Stress Questionnaire (BSSQ)-Deformity and BSSQ-Brace are the most widely used instruments for evaluating stress levels in adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) patients under brace treatment, and good reliability and validity have been demonstrated across different cultures. Great stress has been found among many adolescents, becoming a major concern for professionals. However, no previous research has addressed the cultural adaptations and psychometric testing of BSSQ-Deformity and BSSQ-Brace in China or the stress levels in AIS patients. The purposes of our study were to evaluate the cross-cultural adaptation and validation of the BSSQ-Deformity and BSSQ-Brace and to investigate stress levels in Chinese (AIS) patients under brace treatment. The original (German) versions of BSSQ-Deformity and BSSQ-Brace were cross-culturally translated according to international guidelines. Psychometric properties such as reliability and construct validity were tested. Eighty-six AIS patients were included in our study, and 50 patients paid a second visit 3 to 7 days later to test reproducibility. Cronbach &agr; and the intraclass coefficient were determined to assess internal consistency and reproducibility. Scoliosis Research Society patient questionnaire-22 (SRS-22) was applied to evaluate construct validity. The mean BSSQ-Deformity and BSSQ-Brace scores were 15.3 and 13.4 points, respectively. Severe stress was observed in 12% of patients due to brace treatment. Item analysis demonstrated that each item was scored under a normal distribution with no redundancy. Psychometric analysis revealed excellent internal consistency (Cronbach &agr; = 0.85 and 0.80, respectively) and reproducibility (intraclass correlation coefficient = 0.85 and 0.90, respectively) for BSSQ-Deformity and BSSQ-Brace. The correlation coefficients of BSSQ-Deformity, BSSQ-Brace and SRS-22 were 0.48 and 0.63, respectively. In conclusion, BSSQ-Deformity and BSSQ-Brace have been successfully adapted to a Chinese background and psychometrically validated with excellent reliability and construct validity. Brace wearing is considered the main cause of stress in AIS patients under brace treatment.

Sagittal Balance in Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis: A Radiographic Study of Spinopelvic Compensation After Selective Posterior Fusion of Thoracolumbar/Lumbar (Lenke 5C) Curves.

AbstractThe relationship between spinal sagittal alignment and pelvic parameters is well known in adolescent idiopathic scoliosis. However, few studies have reported the sagittal spinopelvic relationship after selective posterior fusion of thoracolumbar/lumbar (TL/L) curves.We evaluated the relationship between spinal sagittal alignment and the pelvis, and analyzed how the pelvic sagittal state is adjusted in Lenke type 5C patients.We conducted a retrospective study of 36 patients with Lenke type 5C curves who received selective posterior TL/L curve fusion. Coronal and spinopelvic sagittal parameters were pre and postoperatively compared. Pearson coefficients were used to analyze the correlation between all spinopelvic sagittal parameters before and after surgery. We also evaluated 3 pelvic morphologies (anteverted, normal, and retroverted) before and after surgery.Preoperatively, the mean pelvic incidence was 46.0°, with a pelvic tilt and sacral slope (SS) of 8.2° and 37.8°, respectively, and 25% (9/36) of patients had an anteverted pelvis, whereas the other 75% had a normal pelvis. Postoperatively, 42% (15/36) of patients had a retroverted pelvis, 53% (19/36) had a normal pelvis, and 2 patients had an anteverted pelvis. Logistic regression analyses yielded 2 factors that were significantly associated with the risk for a postoperative unrecovered anteverted pelvis, including increased lumbar lordosis (LL) (odds ratio [OR] 4.8, P = 0.029) and increased SS (OR 5.6, P = 0.018). Four factors were significantly associated with the risk of a postoperative newly anteverted pelvis, including LL at the final follow-up (OR 6.9, P = 0.009), increased LL (OR 8.9, P = 0.003), LL below fusion (OR 9.4, P = 0.002), and increased SS (OR 11.5, P = 0.001).The pelvic state may be adjusted after selective posterior TL/L curve fusion in Lenke 5C adolescent idiopathic scoliosis patients. It is difficult to improve an anteverted pelvis in patients who have an LL that is increased by more than 11.6° or an SS that is increased by more than 4.7° after surgery. The anteverted pelvic state will generally occur with posterior correction surgery for patients with an LL that is greater than 63.7°, or an LL or SS that is respectively increased by more than 17.6° or 9.0° postoperatively.

Low-intensity pulsed ultrasound promotes spinal fusion and enhances migration and proliferation of MG63s through sonic hedgehog signaling pathway

Low-intensity pulsed ultrasound (LIPUS) has been found to accelerate the healing process of spinal fusion via a process closely related to osteoblast differentiation and migration. Sonic hedgehog (Shh) signaling plays an important role in development and homeostasis, including a critical function in bone formation. However, its role in spinal fusion during LIPUS treatment is still unknown. This study showed that LIPUS treatment after spinal fusion surgery increased bone formation. The increased bone mass under LIPUS treatment appeared to result from the increased migration and proliferation of osteoblasts, resulting from upregulation of the Shh signaling pathway. In contrast, inhibition of Shh reduced the migratory and proliferative ability of osteoblast-like MG63 cells and blocked the efficacy of LIPUS treatment.