川端 走野

PURPOSE: To determine the prevalence and associated factors of dysphagia in older adults with degenerative cervical myelopathy (DCM), and to elucidate the longitudinal changes in swallowing function following subaxial posterior cervical spine surgery in this population. METHODS: This retrospective study reviewed clinical records of patients aged ≥ 65 years who underwent surgical treatment for DCM at a single center. Swallowing function was assessed preoperatively and at 6 months and 1 year postoperatively using the Eating Assessment Tool-10. Patient-reported outcomes were evaluated using the Japanese Orthopaedic Association Cervical Myelopathy Evaluation Questionnaire (JOACMEQ). For longitudinal analysis, only patients who underwent subaxial posterior cervical surgery were included. RESULTS: A total of 150 patients with DCM were analyzed. Preoperatively, 11.3% had dysphagia. The dysphagia group had a significantly smaller C7 slope and lower scores in the cervical spine function and quality of life domains of the JOACMEQ compared to the non-dysphagia group. Longitudinal analysis was conducted on 137 patients who underwent subaxial posterior cervical surgery. The prevalence of dysphagia increased from 9.5% preoperatively to 24.1% at 1 year postoperatively (p < 0.001). Patients with postoperative deterioration in swallowing function had higher body mass index and showed no significant improvement in any JOACMEQ domain, with some domains worsening postoperatively. CONCLUSION: Cervical sagittal imbalance may contribute to dysphagia in older patients with DCM. Postoperative dysphagia can develop even after subaxial posterior cervical surgery, particularly in older patients with limited improvement in cervical spine-related symptoms after surgery.

BACKGROUND: The 25-question Geriatric Locomotive Function Scale (GLFS-25) is a patient-reported outcome measure (PROM) for assessing locomotive syndrome, which reflects mobility limitations due to musculoskeletal decline in older adults. Although lumbar spinal stenosis (LSS) is a major contributor to locomotive syndrome, the utility of GLFS-25 in evaluating the clinical status of older patients with LSS remains unclear. This study aimed to evaluate the GLFS-25 as a disease-specific PROM for older adults with LSS by comparing it with established tools such as the Japanese Orthopaedic Association Back Pain Evaluation Questionnaire (JOABPEQ) and Zurich Claudication Questionnaire (ZCQ). METHODS: This retrospective cohort study included 206 patients aged ≥65 years who underwent surgery for LSS. GLFS-25, JOABPEQ, and ZCQ scores were collected preoperatively and at 6 months, 1 year, and 2 years postoperatively. Correlations between the GLFS-25 and other PROMs were analyzed. Locomotive syndrome stages were determined based on GLFS-25 scores. The predictive accuracy of ZCQ satisfaction scores for postoperative improvement in the locomotive syndrome stage was assessed using receiver operating characteristic analysis. RESULTS: GLFS-25 showed weak to moderate correlations with the five JOABPEQ domains and both ZCQ subscales. Patients with greater improvements in the locomotive syndrome stage also demonstrated higher proportions of treatment efficacy in the JOABPEQ domains. The ZCQ satisfaction score at 2 years postoperatively was a strong predictor of locomotive syndrome stage improvement, with an area under the curve of 0.858. The optimal satisfaction score cutoff for improvement in the locomotive syndrome stage was 1.917 (sensitivity: 80.0 %, specificity: 80.6 %). CONCLUSIONS: The GLFS-25 reflects clinical changes in older patients with LSS and correlates well with established PROMs. This tool may enable valid cross-sectional and longitudinal assessment of surgical outcomes for older patients with LSS. A ZCQ satisfaction score of approximately 1.9 indicates a meaningful improvement in the locomotive syndrome stage.

INTRODUCTION: Distal adding-on (DA) is a common radiographic complication following selective thoracic fusion for Lenke type 1A adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS). This study aimed to investigate whether intraoperative radiographs can predict postoperative DA in Lenke type 1A AIS. METHODS: A total of 79 patients with AIS and Lenke type 1A (group A) who underwent posterior selective thoracic fusion were retrospectively evaluated. For comparison, another 79 patients with Lenke type 1B and 1C (group BC) were included. The occurrence and factors associated with DA at 2 years postoperatively were investigated using intraoperative radiographs. RESULTS: Of 158 total cases, eight patients (10%) in group A and 13 (16%) in group BC developed DA at two years postoperatively. Intraoperative radiographs in group A showed that the mean angulation of the first disc below the lowest instrumented vertebra (LIV) was significantly greater in the DA group (-2.3±2.3°) compared to the non-DA group (-0.6±1.7°). Patients with angulation of the first disc below the LIV greater than 3° were significantly associated with DA (odds ratio, 18.0; p<0.01) in group A, as well as in group BC (odds ratio, 22.0; p<0.01). In group A, the mean intraoperative LIV tilt angle was greater in the DA group (4.8±7.0°) than in the non-DA group (1.2±3.7°), with greater tilt observed in 1A-L (L4 tilted left) compared to type 1A-R (L4 tilted right). Multivariate analysis revealed that intraoperative LIV tilt was significantly associated with DA in group A, but not in group BC. CONCLUSIONS: Intraoperative radiographs showing angulation greater than 3° at the first disc below the LIV and larger LIV tilt angles were significantly associated with postoperative DA in Lenke type 1A. Surgeons should strive to achieve horizontalization of the LIV intraoperatively, especially in Lenke type 1A-L curves, to avoid postoperative DA.

BACKGROUND: The 25-item Geriatric Locomotive Function Scale (GLFS-25) is often used to assess locomotive syndrome stage in older adults with lumbar spinal stenosis (LSS). However, locomotive syndrome stage three encompasses a wide score range, potentially masking clinically meaningful improvements. This study aimed to establish the minimal clinically important difference (MCID) for the GLFS-25 and determine whether MCID-based assessment better reflects surgical outcomes than stage-based evaluation. METHODS: This study included 314 patients aged 65 years and older with LSS who were preoperatively classified as having locomotive syndrome stage three. Patient-reported outcome measures, including the GLFS-25, the Japanese Orthopaedic Association Back Pain Evaluation Questionnaire (JOABPEQ), and Zurich Claudication Questionnaire (ZCQ), were administered before and at six months and 1 year after surgery. The MCID for the GLFS-25 was calculated using an anchor-based method, with the satisfaction item from the ZCQ at 1 year after surgery serving as the anchor. Patients were then categorized into four groups based on whether they achieved improvements in locomotive syndrome stage and/or the GLFS-25 MCID. RESULTS: A 19-point improvement in the GLFS-25 was determined to be the MCID, with an area under the receiver operating characteristic curve, sensitivity, and specificity of 0.80, 65.8%, and 90.2%, respectively. Based on postoperative changes, 129, 49, 33, and 103 patients achieved both stage and MCID improvement (group C), improvement in MCID alone (group M), improvement in stage alone (group S), and no improvement, respectively. Group C showed significantly better surgical effectiveness across all JOABPEQ domains. Group M showed significant improvements in four domains, whereas group S showed significant improvement in only one domain. CONCLUSIONS: The newly established 19-point MCID for the GLFS-25 more accurately represented clinically meaningful improvement than stage-based evaluation. The combined use of MCID and stage classification may enhance outcome assessment after LSS surgery in older adults.

BACKGROUND: Hip fractures in older adults require surgery and frequently result in prolonged hospital stays. Recently, the revision of Japan's medical reimbursement system introduced an acute care incentive to promote early surgery for hip fracture cases, highlighting the need for timely intervention and efficient inpatient management. In this context, the present study aimed to identify factors associated with prolonged hospital stay in older adults undergoing hip fracture surgery at two acute care hospitals in Japan. METHODS: A retrospective review was conducted on data from 1184 patients aged ≥65 years who underwent hip fracture surgery between April 2021 and March 2024. Patients were categorized into three groups based on their length of stay: ≤14 days (short group), 15-28 days (moderate group), and ≥29 days (long group). Multinomial logistic regression analysis was utilized to identify factors associated with prolonged hospital stays. Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis was conducted to determine the optimal cutoff for preoperative waiting time in predicting a prolonged hospital stay. RESULTS: The short group included 260 patients (22.0%), the moderate group 631 (53.3%), and the long group 293 (24.7%). Multivariable analysis revealed that extended preoperative waiting time and living with others were independently associated with prolonged hospital stay. The odds ratio for being in the long group was 3.62 (95% confidence interval: 2.40-5.46) for a preoperative waiting time of ≥3 days compared with ≤2 days. The optimal cutoff for preoperative waiting time to predict a hospital stay ≥29 days was 2.5 days (area under the curve: 0.68; sensitivity: 62.8%; specificity: 62.5%), highlighting a clear window for surgical intervention. CONCLUSION: The preoperative waiting time was crucial factor influencing the length of hospital stay after hip fracture surgery in older adults. Timely surgical intervention within 2 days of admission can enhance care efficiency and shorten the hospitalization period.

PURPOSE: Retro-odontoid pseudotumor (ROP) is a condition characterized by benign soft tissue proliferation at the odontoid process due to mechanical stress in the atlantoaxial joint, often represented by atlantoaxial subluxation (AAS). However, the pathogenesis of ROP remains unclear, as AAS can also occur without ROP. The purpose of this study is to clarify the pathogenesis of ROP in patients with AAS by analyzing imaging findings in patients without rheumatoid arthritis who underwent surgery for AAS and/or ROP. METHODS: A multicenter cross-sectional study was conducted. Patients without rheumatoid arthritis who underwent surgery for AAS and/or ROP at three university hospitals between 2010 and 2022 were enrolled in this study. Patients were divided into two groups: the ROP group, comprising patients with AAS and ROP, and the non-ROP group, comprising those with AAS without ROP. Patient demographics and preoperative imaging findings, including plain radiography, multidetector computed tomography, and magnetic resonance imaging, were compared between the two groups. RESULTS: The ROP group included 32 patients (age: 75.6 ± 7.7 years; 23 male and 9 female patients), while the non-ROP group comprised 18 patients (age: 70.5 ± 14.6 years; 9 male and 9 female patients). No significant differences were observed between the two groups in terms of age, sex, or history of cervical spine surgery. However, the O-C2 angle in the extension position and C2-C7 sagittal vertical axis were significantly larger in the ROP group than in the non-ROP group. Additionally, degeneration of the facet joints and intervertebral discs in the subaxial cervical spine was significantly more advanced in the ROP group than in the non-ROP group. CONCLUSION: In patients with AAS, the anterior translation of the cervical spine, as well as the progressive degeneration of the subaxial cervical facet joints and intervertebral discs, may increase mechanical stress on the atlantoaxial joint, contributing to the development of ROP.

OBJECTIVES: Patients with lumbar spinal stenosis (LSS) exhibit significantly different scoring patterns on the visual analogue scale (VAS) chart for low back pain (LP), buttock and lower limb pain (PL), and buttock and lower limb numbness (NL). This study investigated the usefulness of these preoperative scoring patterns on the VAS chart in predicting surgical outcomes in older adults undergoing LSS surgery. METHODS: Time-course data from patients aged ≥65 years who underwent LSS surgery at two institutions were retrospectively assessed. All participants completed the Zurich Claudication Questionnaire and the Japanese Orthopaedic Association Back Pain Evaluation Questionnaire, which included the VAS chart, before surgery and at 6 months and 1 year postoperatively. RESULTS: In total, 334 participants were evaluated. Patients with equal preoperative scores across all three scales showed the highest average postoperative reduction in the three VAS scores. By contrast, those with the highest preoperative VAS scores for LP or NL had the lowest reductions. Based on the multivariable analysis, the highest preoperative VAS scores for LP (relative risk: 2.1) and NL (relative risk: 2.1) were significantly associated with poor surgical improvement in older adults with LSS. CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrated the potential clinical utility of the preoperative VAS chart in predicting surgical improvement in older patients with LSS. Patients with equal preoperative VAS scores for LP, PL, and NL were more likely to have favorable surgical outcomes, while those with the highest preoperative scores for LP or NL were at higher risk for poor outcomes.

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BACKGROUND: The administration of potentially inappropriate medications (PIMs) as well as polypharmacy in older individuals has become a medical and socioeconomic issue. Meanwhile, given that lumbar spinal stenosis (LSS) is one of the most prevalent musculoskeletal conditions, significantly affecting mobility in older adults and becoming increasingly common in aging societies, its management in this population has emerged as a critical concern. We aimed to elucidate the prevalence of PIMs among older LSS patients and identify those potentially impacting surgical outcomes. METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed 296 consecutive patients aged 65 years or older who underwent LSS surgery. Based on available guidelines, 19 medication categories were considered PIMs. Pre- and postoperative health-related quality of life was assessed using the Roland-Morris Disability Questionnaire and Japanese Orthopaedic Association Back Pain Evaluation Questionnaire. RESULTS: The most frequently prescribed PIMs included hypnotics, steroids, antithrombotic drugs, antidiabetic drugs, laxatives, and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs in older LSS patients. Among these medications, antithrombotic drugs showed a significant association with surgical outcomes. When the subjects were divided into antithrombotic drug users (n = 57) and non-users (n = 239), no significant difference in the incidence of postoperative complications was observed between the two groups. However, 1 year after surgery, users had significantly worse walking ability than did nonusers (adjusted p value = 0.028), despite no significant differences before and 6 months after surgery. Furthermore, nonusers showed significant improvement in walking ability (p < 0.001) and social life scores (p = 0.014) from 6 months to 1 year after surgery, whereas users exhibited no significant improvements during this period. CONCLUSIONS: Among the PIMs, hypnotics, steroids, antithrombotic drugs, laxatives, antidiabetic drugs, and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs were commonly used by older LSS patients. Older LSS patients taking antithrombotic drugs are unlikely to have good surgical outcomes.

BACKGROUND: Surgical outcomes for lumbar spinal stenosis (LSS) are generally favorable, even in older adults, and they effectively address locomotive syndrome. In older patients with LSS, support from family members during the postoperative recovery period is expected to be helpful, but the extent to which family structure influences surgical outcomes for LSS remains unclear. Herein, this study aimed to investigate the involvement of family structure in surgical outcomes for older patients with LSS. METHODS: This retrospective study included 350 consecutive patients aged ≥65 years who underwent LSS surgery between April 2020 and December 2023. Patients were categorized by family structure into the M (living with multiple family members) or S group (living with few or no family members). Postoperative outcomes were assessed using patient-reported outcomes, including the Roland-Morris Disability Questionnaire (RDQ), Geriatric Locomotive Function Scale (GLFS-25), and Japanese Orthopaedic Association Back Pain Evaluation Questionnaire. RESULTS: The M group consisted of 102 participants, while the S group comprised 248 participants. Preoperatively, there were no significant differences in the scores of all patient-reported outcomes between the groups. However, even after adjusting for baseline characteristics that significantly differed between the groups, the RDQ (p = 0.018) and GLFS-25 scores (p = 0.030) were significantly better in the M group than in the S group at 1 year postoperatively. Furthermore, the proportion of patients with postoperative improvement in the locomotive syndrome stage was significantly higher in the M group than in the S group at both 6 months (p = 0.027) and 1 year (p = 0.002) postoperatively. CONCLUSIONS: Family structure significantly affected postoperative outcomes in older adults with LSS, particularly concerning locomotive syndrome recovery. These findings highlight the potential value of involving families in healthcare planning, while recognizing that the availability and quality of support may vary across households.

BACKGROUND: Patient satisfaction is an essential metric for evaluating treatment outcomes for LSS, both for patients and for their primary physicians. However, the Zurich Claudication Questionnaire (ZCQ) is the only representative patient-reported outcome measure that evaluates satisfaction. To develop a model using machine learning to predict postoperative satisfaction among older patients with lumbar spinal stenosis (LSS) based on preoperative and postoperative scores of the Japanese Orthopedic Association Back Pain Evaluation Questionnaire (JOABPEQ). METHODS: The training dataset was composed of time-course data of ZCQ and JOABPEQ scores from patients aged ≥65 years who underwent LSS surgery at a university hospital. The validation dataset included data from patients with LSS treated at a private orthopedic clinic. A linear support vector machine classifier was trained to predict achievement of a "Satisfied" state from preoperative and postoperative JOABPEQ scores. Internal validation was carried out via leave-one-out cross-validation, and external validation using a separate dataset to assess the accuracy, sensitivity, specificity, F1 score, and area under the receiver operating characteristics curve (AUROC). Variable importance was analyzed using model class reliance. RESULTS: A total of 232 and 66 individuals were included in the training and validation datasets, respectively. The machine-learning model exhibited an accuracy of 0.72, sensitivity of 0.75, specificity of 0.69, and AUROC of 0.82. Psychological disorder and walking ability were identified through permutation importance analysis as key factors for satisfaction. External validation on an independent dataset demonstrated comparable accuracy (0.76), sensitivity (0.83), and AUROC (0.75), although the specificity decreased (0.42). CONCLUSIONS: The machine learning model presented here can predict the postoperative satisfaction score on the ZCQ from preoperative and postoperative JOABPEQ scores, highlighting its potential for broader application in clinical settings.

CASE: We report a case of a 65-year-old man attempting suicide through anterior neck stabbing with an ice pick. Computed tomography showed spinal canal penetration at C4-5 near the midline, sparing the trachea, esophagus, and major vessels. The foreign body was removed under general anesthesia; cerebrospinal fluid leakage was noted, and the wound was tightly closed with a fibrin-based sealant. No motor or sensory deficits were present preoperatively or postoperatively. CONCLUSION: This case shows that penetrating cervical spinal canal injuries may occur without neurological impairment. Careful extraction under general anesthesia, ideally with neuromonitoring, is recommended to minimize complications.

STUDY DESIGN: Population-based cross-sectional study. OBJECTIVE: To examine the associations of sleep disturbance with low back pain (LBP) and pain-related disability in a community-based setting in Japan. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: Sleep disturbance and LBP are highly prevalent and often overlap in ways that impair quality of life. Although their association has been reported, few population-based studies have simultaneously evaluated both LBP status and pain-related disability using validated assessment tools. METHODS: Data from 2,186 adults aged 20-90 years were analyzed. Sleep disturbance was assessed using the Athens Insomnia Scale (AIS; cutoff ≥6), and its association with LBP and pain-related disability (measured by the modified Oswestry Disability Index [mODI]) was examined. Psychological distress was assessed using the Kessler Psychological Distress Scale (K6). Multivariable logistic regression analyses were conducted to identify factors independently associated with sleep disturbance. Spearman's rank correlation coefficients were calculated to examine correlations between AIS scores and individual mODI items. RESULTS: The prevalence of LBP and sleep disturbance was 14.9% and 29.7%, respectively. Participants with sleep disturbance were more likely to report LBP and had significantly higher mODI and K6 scores. In regression models, chronic LBP was associated with sleep disturbance when mODI was not included; however, this association was no longer significant after inclusion of mODI, which itself remained robustly associated. Higher K6 scores were also independently related to sleep disturbance. Correlation analyses showed that among mODI items, "Pain intensity" (r=0.329, P<0.001) and "Sitting" (r=0.305, P<0.001) had the strongest correlations with AIS scores. CONCLUSION: Disability related to LBP, rather than pain itself, was significantly associated with sleep disturbance, and psychological distress was also independently associated with insomnia. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: 2.

BACKGROUND: The management of elective surgeries during the COVID-19 pandemic was controversial, and the impact on lumbar spinal stenosis (LSS) surgery outcomes remains unclear. This study aimed to retrospectively analyze older adults who underwent LSS surgery during the pandemic and compare cases from its early and late phases. METHODS: Medical records of patients aged 65 and older who underwent LSS surgery between April 2020 and April 2023 were reviewed. The Zurich Claudication Questionnaire and Japanese Orthopaedic Association Back Pain Evaluation Questionnaire (JOABPEQ) were administered preoperatively and at 6 months and 1 year postoperatively. RESULTS: The period from April 2020 to September 2021 was classified as the early phase, while October 2021 to April 2023 was classified as the late phase. This study evaluated a total of 267 older patients with LSS, with 138 undergoing surgery during the early phase and 129 during the late phase. There was one case of COVID-19 infection during hospitalization in the early phase and none in the late phase. Significant differences were found between the early and late phases in the distribution of American Society of Anesthesiologists physical status (ASA) and frequency of degenerative lumbar scoliosis (DLS). When the association between the COVID-19 pandemic phase and effective case of surgery treatment on JOABPEQ was examined, the multivariable adjusted relative risks of effective case in social life domain for the late-stage group were 0.7 (95 % CI = 0.5-0.9) at both 6 months and 1 year postoperatively using the early-phase group as the reference. No significant differences were found in the other four domains at either 6 months or 1 year postoperatively. CONCLUSIONS: Poorer social life outcomes in the late-phase patients with LSS surgery may be attributed to worse preoperative ASA scores and changes in social life during different pandemic phases.

AIMS: Polypharmacy, hyperpolypharmacy, and potentially inappropriate medication (PIM) in older adults are growing health concerns in the aging population. Older patients with degenerative cervical myelopathy (DCM) often have multiple comorbidities and are prescribed numerous medications. Thus, we investigated the current status of medication use among older patients with DCM, identified the characteristics of those with hyperpolypharmacy, and evaluated its impact on postoperative outcomes. METHODS: This retrospective study included 130 older patients with surgery for DCM. All participants completed the Japanese Orthopaedic Association Cervical Myelopathy Evaluation Questionnaire (JOACMEQ) before and 1 year after surgery. RESULTS: Forty-two patients had hyperpolypharmacy (H group), and 88 had non-hyperpolypharmacy (N group). The commonly prescribed PIMs were antidiabetics (24.6%), nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (21.5%), and hypnotics (20.8%). Hypnotic use was significantly higher in the H group than in the N group (p < 0.001). The H group exhibited significantly more advanced frailty than the N group (p = 0.001). The preoperative JOACMEQ scores for upper extremity, lower extremity, and bladder function were significantly worse in the H group than in the N group (p = 0.020, 0.003, and 0.007, respectively) and remained significant following the multivariable model. Both groups had favorable surgical outcomes, but quality of life improvements were significant in the N group (p = 0.005) but not in the H group (p = 0.900). CONCLUSIONS: Older DCM patients with hyperpolypharmacy had more severe preoperative symptoms. Although surgery is a viable treatment option for this population, thorough preoperative informed consent regarding surgical outcomes is critically important.

Background: The occurrence of ALL rupture during posterior correction of adult spinal deformity (ASD) was rare before the introduction of lateral lumbar interbody fusion (LLIF) but has become more frequent recently. It remains unclear whether this phenomenon is unique to LLIF-combined procedures or primarily related to enhanced corrective ability. Methods: The research method used in this study is finite element analysis (FEA). Using preoperative computed tomography images, LLIF cage (L group) or posterior lumbar interbody fusion (PLIF) cage (P group) were placed in the disc space with identical lordotic angles and distances from the anterior vertebral body edge for the same patients' samples. Finite element simulations of corrective procedures were conducted. A spring simulating the ALL was introduced into the FEA, and the load on the ALL was evaluated with either LLIF or PLIF cage placement. Spring elongation directly measured the load on the ALL, while the location of the rotation center served as an indirect evaluation. Two different types of corrective procedures were created, one of which is mimicking ASD correction. For both procedures, the load to ALL was measured using abovementioned parameters when either LLIF cage (L group) or PLIF cage (P group) was used. The load to ALL was compared between L group and P group. Results: The degree of spring elongation during the simulation of a corrective procedure significantly decreased in the L group compared to the P group only in the model which is mimicking ASD correction (p = 0.006, Cohen's d = 2.33, Power (1-β) = 0.956). The rotation center was significantly more posteriorly located in the P group than that in the L group in both models. These differences were more obvious in the model mimicking ASD correction (p = 0.0013, Cohen's d = 2.00, Power (1-β) = 0.891). Conclusions: Our findings suggest that the use of a PLIF cage, which has a longer anterior-posterior cage length, caused the posterior edge of the cage to act as a pivot point. This configuration places greater leverage on the ALL, potentially leading to rupture during posterior correction procedures. This phenomenon, ALL rupture during posterior correction for ASD, is thought to be associated with increased corrective capabilities rather than being specific to the geometry of the LLIF cage.

PURPOSE: Recently, a full-body upright computed tomography (CT) scanner has been developed, which when combined with myelography, is expected to provide valuable insights into the pathology of lumbar spine degenerative diseases (LSDD). This study aims to elucidate the distinctive features of upright CT myelography (CTM) in LSDD by comparing it with supine magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). METHODS: This study included 110 patients who underwent both supine MRI and upright CTM for LSDD. The anteroposterior diameter (APD), transverse diameter (TD), and area of the dural sac were measured from L1/2 to L5/S1. Lumbar lordosis (LL) was also measured in both modalities. RESULTS: The APD of the dural sac was significantly smaller at L2/3 and L4/5, while the TD was significantly larger at L1/2 and L2/3 on upright CTM compared to supine MRI. The dural sac area was significantly larger at L1/2 and smaller at L4/5 on upright CTM. Subgroup analysis divided patients into Group I (LL greater in upright CTM, n = 56) and Group D (LL smaller in upright CTM, n = 54). The dural sac area was significantly smaller at L3/4 and L4/5 in Group I and larger at L1/2 in Group D on upright CTM. CONCLUSIONS: Changes in the APD, TD and area of the dural sac during the transition from supine to standing were markedly dependent on the intervertebral level. These parameters were also influenced by patterns of change in LL between the two positions. Upright CTM revealed diverse position-related morphological changes in the lumbar dural sac in LSDD patients.

BACKGROUND: The prevalence of degenerative spine diseases has continued to rise with the aging of the global population. Despite the availability of various aging indices, limited studies have comprehensively investigated degenerative spine diseases from the perspective of aging. This study aimed to evaluate degenerative cervical and lumbar diseases surgically treated using multiple clinical aging indices and elucidate the characteristics of each condition through comparative analysis. METHODS: Clinical data of consecutive patients aged ≥ 65 years who underwent surgery for degenerative cervical and lumbar diseases were retrospectively collected. Frailty was assessed using the 11-point modified frailty index. Locomotive syndrome stage was determined based on the 25-Question Geriatric Locomotive Function Scale. Functional decline was assessed according to the Kihon Checklist. Polypharmacy was defined based on a cutoff of six drugs. A total of 19 categories were considered potentially inappropriate medications. RESULTS: Among the included patients, 313 and 103 had degenerative lumbar (L group) and degenerative cervical (C group) diseases, respectively. The C group had significantly lower serum albumin levels (p = 0.03), a significantly higher frequency of functional decline in both physical function (p = 0.02) and activities of daily living (p = 0.046), and significantly more advanced frailty (p = 0.004) than the L group. Among potentially inappropriate medications, the frequency of diuretic use was significantly higher in the C group than in the L group (p = 0.04). Longitudinal observations showed significant postoperative improvements in locomotive syndrome stages in the L group but not the C group. Cross-sectional observations revealed no significant differences in locomotive syndrome stage distributions between both the groups before surgery (p = 0.402); however, the C group exhibited significantly more advanced locomotive syndrome stages than the L group at 6 months (p < 0.001) and 1 year after surgery (p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Across various indices of aging, patients with degenerative cervical spine disease showed more significant progression than those with lumbar spine disease. Thorough understanding of these characteristics is essential when managing degenerative spine diseases, particularly in the selection of effective treatment approaches for the increasingly aging society in the future.

Background: A pseudotumor adjacent to the odontoid has been reported to be a non-neoplastic mass that is mainly associated with atlantoaxial instability. Methods: Case report. Results: A 72-year-old woman presented to our clinic with a chief complaint of bilateral fine motor dysfunction and gait disturbance. She had rheumatoid arthritis as a comorbidity. Physical examination revealed bilateral hand fine motor dysfunction and signs of myelopathy, including hyperreflexia of the deep tendon reflexes in the lower extremities. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) showed a retro-odontoid pseudotumor. Surgery was proposed to the patient, but she did not wish to undergo surgery at this time. At a follow-up visit approximately one year after the initial visit, she complained of the progression of the bilateral hand fine motor dysfunction and gait disturbance. MRI demonstrated a pseudotumor in the space anterior to the odontoid process, indicating that the localization of the pseudotumor around the odontoid process changed from the posterior space to the anterior space in its natural course. Conclusions: The speculated sequential mechanism of the change in the location of the pseudotumor from the posterior space to anterior space to the odontoid process in the natural course is as follows: As the rheumatoid arthritis progressed, the C1-2 joint was immobilized in the dislocated position, and as a result, the retro-odontoid pseudotumor disappeared due to immobilization of the C1-2 joint. Following the disappearance of the retro-odontoid pseudotumor, the odontoid process shifted backward owing to rupture of the transverse annular ligament. Consequently, a new space appeared in front of the odontoid process. Subsequently, damage to the apical and alar ligaments resulted in pseudotumor formation in the new space. Considering our case, the formation of an antero-odontoid pseudotumor occurs only in limited cases, with extreme progression of the pathology. Most cases of retro-odontoid pseudotumors are treated by surgery before such a progression; therefore, we consider that such a case has not yet been reported in the literature.

BACKGROUND: The management of degenerative cervical myelopathy (DCM), which often impairs lower extremity function and increases the risk of falls, is gaining recognition for its importance in an aging society. Despite the significant overlap between frailty and locomotive syndrome (LS) in older adults, their interaction in older DCM patients remains unclear. We aimed to determine the characteristics of older DCM patients with frailty, focusing on the association between frailty and LS. METHODS: We retrospectively examined the clinical records and imaging data of consecutive patients aged 65 years and above who underwent surgery for DCM at a single facility. Frailty and LS stage were diagnosed using the modified frailty index-11 and the 25-question Geriatric Locomotive Function Scale (GLFS-25), respectively. RESULTS: A total of 114 subjects were analyzed, among whom approximately 30% were diagnosed with frailty. DCM patients with frailty had significantly worse Japanese Orthopaedic Association Cervical Myelopathy Assessment Questionnaire (JOACMEQ) and GLFS-25 scores at baseline than did those without frailty. Moreover, DCM patients with frailty had significantly more advanced LS stage at baseline than did those without frailty. Meanwhile, no significant difference in the improvement in JOACMEQ and GLFS-25 scores were observed between those with and without frailty after surgery. More precisely, DCM patients with frailty experienced better improvement in lower extremity function based on the JOACMEQ than did those without frailty. CONCLUSIONS: Our results demonstrated that older DCM patients had favorable outcomes following surgery regardless of frailty. Despite the significant association between frailty and LS in DCM patients, frailty did not negatively impact the improvement in LS in older DCM patients. These findings provide valuable information for both older DCM patients and their attending physicians that would help guide decisions about cervical spine surgery for DCM.

BACKGROUND: Fractures are a significant health concern for older adults, affecting their activities of daily living (ADL), physical function, and mental well-being, and contributing to the need for long-term care. However, the factors associated with fractures among independent older adults remain unclear. This study aimed to examine the association between fractures and the health status of independent older adults in a representative suburban city in Japan using data from a survey of community-dwelling residents and to identify factors associated with fractures. METHODS: A total of 15,853 survey questionnaires were mailed, and 11,346 valid responses were received, resulting in a response rate of 71.6%. The survey included questions on ADL, physical function, mental health, memory, medical conditions, and subjective complaints. For fractures, participants were asked the following question: "How many times have you experienced fractures since the age of 65?". Data were analyzed using Poisson regression models adjusted for age, sex, body mass index, family structure, and smoking history. RESULTS: Among the respondents, 15% reported fractures after age of 65 years. A decline in ADL, physical function, mental health, and memory were significantly associated with increased fracture frequency. Under medical conditions, the prevalence of depression (p for trend = 0.042), respiratory diseases (p for trend = 0.001), and ophthalmologic conditions (p for trend = 0.002) increased significantly with fracture number. Most subjective complaints were significantly associated with fracture number, with dysphagia demonstrating the strongest association. CONCLUSIONS: This study utilized a relatively large and highly representative sample of community-dwelling residents to identify factors associated with fractures in independent older adults. Even in independent older adults who were not certified as requiring long-term care, fractures were significantly associated with a decline in multiple health domains. These findings provide valuable insights that can inform efforts to promote healthy aging and reduce care dependency. CLINICAL TRIAL: Not applicable.

BACKGROUND: At present, the threshold defining older adults is 65 years, and this classification has been widely accepted globally. However, with the extension of both life expectancy and healthy life expectancy, there is a need to reconsider this age-based definition. This study compared the characteristics and surgical outcomes of older patients with lumbar spinal stenosis (LSS) between the early and late stages to clarify age diversity in this population. METHODS: Data collected from consecutive patients aged ≥ 65 years who underwent LSS surgery were retrospectively reviewed. All participants completed the Zurich Claudication Questionnaire, Japanese Orthopaedic Association Back Pain Evaluation Questionnaire (JOABPEQ), and 25-Question Geriatric Locomotive Function Scale preoperatively as well as 6 and 12 months postoperatively. Frailty was evaluated using the 11-point modified frailty index. Polypharmacy was defined as the concomitant use of at least six drugs. RESULTS: In total, 311 older patients with LSS were enrolled. Among them, 136 patients younger than 75 were categorized into the E group, and 175 patients aged 75 and older were categorized into the L group. Baseline characteristics, including frailty and polypharmacy, significantly differed between the groups. The frequency of effective case of surgical treatment on JOABPEQ was significantly lower for walking ability in the L group. At 1 year after surgery, the incidence of non-improvement in locomotive syndrome stages was higher in the L group than in the E group (relative risk = 1.38, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.08-1.78). In addition, when the L group was further divided into three subgroups based on age, the relative risk was 1.32 (95% CI = 0.99-1.76) for patients aged 75 to < 80, 1.42 (95% CI = 1.07-1.88) for those aged 80 to < 85 years, and 1.68 (95% CI = 1.16-2.45) for those aged ≥ 85. CONCLUSIONS: Significant differences were observed in baseline characteristics and postoperative improvement of walking ability and locomotive syndrome based on age among older patients with LSS. Our findings underscore the significant age diversity among older adults, highlighting the necessity of considering each patient in a more nuanced age-specific manner rather than adopting a one-size-fits-all approach.

AIM: Older patients with lumbar spinal stenosis (LSS) have a higher incidence of polypharmacy attributed to comorbidities and the use of pain relief medications. This study aimed to explore the effect of polypharmacy and hyperpolypharmacy on surgical outcomes in older patients with LSS based on health-related quality of life (HRQOL) and locomotive syndrome. METHODS: Consecutive patients aged ≥65 years who underwent lumbar spinal surgery for LSS were retrospectively reviewed. We assessed the preoperative and 1- and 2-year postoperative scores of three common HRQOL tools and the 25-question Geriatric Locomotive Function Scale. The patients were classified into the hyperpolypharmacy group (those taking ≥10 medications), polypharmacy group (those taking 6-9 medications) and non-polypharmacy group (those taking ≤5 medications). RESULTS: In total, 148 participants were evaluated. Among them, 35 were included in the non-polypharmacy group. There were no significant changes in the HRQOL and locomotive syndrome stage at baseline, even with polypharmacy progression. However, the HRQOL and locomotive syndrome stage worsened postoperatively with polypharmacy progression. When surgical efficacy was directly examined, results showed that the surgical outcomes were significantly associated with polypharmacy progression in older patients with LSS, even after adjusting for potential confounders. CONCLUSIONS: Polypharmacy, especially hyperpolypharmacy, had a negative impact on surgical outcomes in older patients with LSS. The number of prescription drugs should be taken into consideration before surgery in this patient group. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2025; 25: 31-37.

INTRODUCTION: Hip fractures, which result in a high rate of complications and mortality, are a major public health concern in aging societies. Physical restraint for older patients with hip fractures may be employed to ensure safety, continue medical treatment, and minimize the risk of harm to oneself or others. This study aimed to investigate the current practices of physical restraint use among hip fracture patients across 2 acute-care hospitals, as well as uncover factors associated with physical restraint in patients with hip fracture. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed all patients aged ≥65 years who underwent surgery for hip fractures at two institutions. Physical restraint was applied in accordance with institutional guidelines, following thorough assessments by physicians and nurses and obtaining informed consent from the patient or their family. When we examined the independent associations of physical restraint during hospitalization, the Poisson regression models were used to estimate the relative risks (RRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs). RESULTS: In total, 463 older patients with hip fractures were assessed. Among the included patients, 118 (25.5%) were subjected to physical restraint. Multivariable analysis revealed that 85 years or older (RR, 1.8; CI: 1.1-3.0), a BMI below 18.5 (RR, 1.8; CI: 1.4-2.5), dementia (RR, 2.3; CI: 1.7-3.1), stroke (RR, 1.5; CI: 1.1-2.0), impairment in physical function (RR, 3.1; CI: 1.2-8.3), and administration of antipsychotics (RR, 1.6; CI: 1.0-2.4) were significantly associated with the implementation of physical restraint. CONCLUSIONS: This retrospective study provided real-world data regarding the use of physical restraint in older patients with hip fractures. Patients with older age, low BMI, dementia, stroke, impaired physical function, and administration of antipsychotics may be at high risk for the use of physical restraints. To minimize the use of physical restraints, future research for further data collection will be essential.

Low back pain (LBP) is a major public health issue, and lifestyle-related factors (LRFs) are increasingly recognized as key contributors to LBP. However, comprehensive studies using recent data concerning the association between LBP and LRFs remain limited. In this study, a nationally representative sample of Japanese adults were surveyed to evaluate the relationship between LRFs and LBP and to explore how these factors relate to both the severity and chronicity of LBP. A cross-sectional nationwide survey was conducted among 5000 randomly selected Japanese adults aged 20-90 years; valid responses were obtained from 2188. Participants were analyzed using three different methods: (1) those with or without current LBP, (2) those with no/mild or moderate/severe pain, and (3) those with or without chronic LBP. Key LRFs included body mass index, alcohol consumption, smoking, exercise habits, comorbidities (dyslipidemia, diabetes, and hypertension), and self-image regarding body shape. Multivariable logistic regression analysis revealed that current LBP was significantly associated with body mass index (odds ratio [OR]=1.04, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.00-1.07), alcohol consumption (OR=1.37, 95% CI: 1.04-1.80), smoking (OR=1.63, 95% CI: 1.21-2.20), and dyslipidemia (OR=1.51, 95% CI: 1.06-2.13), and the severity of LBP was associated with smoking (OR=1.77, 95% CI: 1.19-2.64), lack of exercise (OR=1.55, 95% CI: 1.10-2.15), and dyslipidemia (OR=1.64, 95% CI: 1.06-2.55). In addition, smoking was the only LRF significantly associated with chronic LBP (OR=1.70, 95% CI: 1.23-2.34). Multiple LRFs are associated with the prevalence of LBP. Stratified analysis provided deeper insight into specific risk factors for LBP. In particular, dyslipidemia is linked to pain severity, whereas smoking is associated with both severity and chronicity. Future longitudinal studies should focus on the influence of these key LRFs on onset, severity, and chronicity of LBP.

STUDY DESIGN: Multicenter case-control study. OBJECTIVE: To identify imaging characteristics of the cervical spine in patients with retro-odontoid pseudotumor (ROP) without rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and determine the pathogenesis of ROP. BACKGROUND: ROP results from proliferative changes in the soft tissue of the atlantoaxial junction surrounding the region of the transverse ligament, and is commonly seen in RA patients. However, the pathogenesis of ROP caused by mechanical instability of the upper cervical spine in patients without RA is yet to be explained. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We collected imaging data [preoperative radiographs, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and computed tomography (CT)] of patients who underwent surgery between April 2011 and March 2022 at the three university hospitals for ROP (cases) and cervical spondylotic myelopathy (as age, sex, and institution matched controls). The two groups were compared for different parameters on cervical dynamic radiographs, MRI, and CT. RESULTS: The ROP group consisted of 42 patients, and the control group comprised 168 patients. C2-C7 range of motion was significantly smaller in the ROP group (25.8 ± 2.6°) compared with the control group (33.0 ± 1.0°). C2-C7 sagittal vertical axis was significantly larger in the ROP group than the control group (39.3 ± 3.6 vs. 32.2 ± 1.3 mm). MRI and CT assessment showed progressive degeneration at all intervertebral levels in the ROP group. A significant positive correlation was observed between the thickness of the soft tissue posterior to the dental process and the atlantodental interval in the flexion position ( r = 0.501). CONCLUSIONS: The development of ROP was associated with degeneration of facet joints and intervertebral disks in the middle and lower cervical spine. Our findings suggest that decreased mobility of the middle and lower cervical spine may cause instability in the upper cervical spine, leading to the formation of ROP.

BACKGROUND: Managing medication use in older orthopedic patients is imperative to extend their healthy life expectancy in an aging society. However, the actual situation regarding polypharmacy, the intake of potentially inappropriate medications (PIMs), and fall risk-increasing drugs (FRIDs) among older orthopedic patients is not well characterized. This study aimed to investigate the medication-based profiles of older orthopedic patients to highlight the critical points of concern. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the clinical data of consecutive patients aged ≥ 65 years who underwent orthopedic surgery at two acute care hospitals between April 2020 and March 2021. The cutoff number of prescribed drugs for polypharmacy was set at 6. According to the specified guidelines, 19 categories of drugs were identified as PIMs, and 10 categories were classified as FRIDs. RESULTS: A total of 995 older patients with orthopedic surgery were assessed, of which 57.4% were diagnosed with polypharmacy, 66.0% were receiving PIMs, and 41.7% were receiving FRIDs. The prevalence of FRID intake did not significantly differ among patients with degenerative spinal disease (n = 316), degenerative disease of extremities (n = 331), and fractures (n = 272). Compared with patients with degenerative disease of the extremities, the multivariable-adjusted prevalence ratios (PRs) of polypharmacy and PIM intake were significantly higher in patients with degenerative spinal disease (1.26 [confidence intervals (CI): 1.11-1.44] and 1.12 [CI: 1.00-1.25]), respectively. Use of antiemetic drugs (adjusted PR, 13.36; 95% CI: 3.14-56.81) and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (adjusted PR, 1.37; 95% CI: 1.05-1.78) was significantly higher in patients with degenerative spinal disease. Among patients with degenerative spinal disease, the prevalence of antiemetic drug intake was 8.7% in lumbar spinal patients and 0% in cervical spinal patients. CONCLUSIONS: More than half of the orthopedic patients in this study were affected by polypharmacy, and approximately two-thirds were prescribed some form of PIMs. Patients with degenerative spinal disease showed a significantly higher prevalence of polypharmacy and PIM use compared with other orthopedic diseases. Particular attention should be paid to the high frequency of antiemetic drugs and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs intake among patients with degenerative lumbar spine conditions.

INTRODUCTION: Recently, patient satisfaction has gained prominence as a crucial measure for ensuring patient-centered care. Furthermore, patient satisfaction after lumbar spinal canal stenosis (LCS) surgery is an important metric for physician's decision of surgical indication and informed consent to patient. This study aimed to elucidate how patient satisfaction changed after LCS surgery to identify factors that predict patient dissatisfaction. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed time-course data of patients aged ≥40 years who underwent LCS surgery at multiple hospitals. The participants completed the Zurich Claudication Questionnaire (ZCQ) and the Japanese Orthopaedic Association Back Pain Evaluation Questionnaire (JOABPEQ) before surgery and then 6 months and 1 year postsurgery. Patient satisfaction was categorized according to the postoperative score of the satisfaction domain of the ZCQ: satisfied, score ≤2.0; moderately satisfied, 2.0< score ≤2.5; and dissatisfied, score >2.5. RESULTS: The study enrolled 241 patients. Our data indicated a satisfaction rate of around 70% at 6 months and then again 1 year after LCS surgery. Among those who were dissatisfied 6 months after LCS surgery, 47.6% were more satisfied 1 year postsurgery. Furthermore, 86.2% of those who were satisfied 6 months after LCS surgery remained satisfied at 1 year. Multivariable analysis revealed that age (relative risk, 0.5; 95% confidence interval, 0.2-0.8) and preoperative score of psychological disorders on the JOABPEQ (relative risk, 0.2; 95% confidence interval, 0.03-0.08) were significantly associated with LCS surgery dissatisfaction. In addition, the receiver operating characteristic curve analysis revealed that the cutoff value for the preoperative score of psychological disorder of the JOABPEQ was estimated at 40 for LCS surgery dissatisfaction. CONCLUSIONS: Age and psychological disorders were identified as significant predictors of dissatisfaction, with a JOABPEQ cutoff value providing potential clinical applicability.

INTRODUCTION: Locomotive syndrome caused by degenerative musculoskeletal diseases is reported to improve with surgical treatment. However, it is unclear whether surgical treatment is effective for the locomotive syndrome developing in patients with degenerative cervical myelopathy (DCM). Thus, this study primarily aimed to longitudinally assess the change in locomotive syndrome stage before and after cervical spinal surgery for patients with DCM using the 25-question geriatric locomotive function scale (GLFS-25). A secondary objective was to identify factors associated with the postoperative improvement in the locomotive syndrome stage. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed clinical data of patients undergoing cervical spine surgery at our institution from April 2020 to May 2022 who had answered the Japanese Orthopaedic Association Cervical Myelopathy Assessment Questionnaire, visual analog scale, and GLFS-25 preoperatively and at 6 months and 1 year postoperatively. We collected demographic data, medical history, preoperative radiographic parameters, presence or absence of posterior longitudinal ligament ossification, and surgical data. RESULTS: We enrolled 115 patients (78 men and 37 women) in the present study. Preoperatively, using the GLFS-25, 73.9% of patients had stage 3, 10.4% had stage 2, 9.6% had stage 1, 6.1% had no locomotive syndrome. The stage distribution of locomotive syndrome improved significantly at 6-months and 1-year postoperatively. The multivariable Poisson regression analysis revealed that better preoperative lower extremity function (relative risk: 3.0; 95% confidence interval: 1.01-8.8) was significantly associated with postoperative improvement in the locomotive syndrome stage. CONCLUSIONS: This is the first study to longitudinally assess the locomotive syndrome stage in patients with DCM using GLFS-25. Our results indicated that patients with DCM experienced significant improvement in the locomotive syndrome stage following cervical spine surgery. Particularly, the preoperative lower extremity function was significant in postoperative improvement in the locomotive syndrome stage.

INTRODUCTION: Frailty is an important factor in surgical outcomes. The current study aimed to evaluate the effect of preoperative frailty on postoperative outcomes in older patients with lumbar spinal canal stenosis (LSCS). METHODS: We retrospectively examined 209 patients aged ≥65 years who underwent surgery for LSCS. Health-related quality-of-life (HRQOL) tools, including the Roland-Morris Disability Questionnaire (RDQ), Zurich Claudication Questionnaire (ZCQ), and Japanese Orthopaedic Association Back Pain Evaluation Questionnaire (JOABPEQ), were used in the assessment conducted before surgery and at 6 months and 1 year after surgery. Frailty was categorized based on the 11-item modified frailty index (mFI-11). Patients with mFI-11 of 0, <0.21, and >0.21 were classified under the robust (R), pre-frailty (P), and frailty (F) groups, respectively. RESULTS: According to the mFI-11, 24, 138, and 47 patients were included in the R, P, and F groups, respectively. Regarding preoperative radiographic parameters, there was a remarkable increase in the sagittal vertical axis and a significant decrease in the development of lumbar lordosis with frailty progression. The preoperative scores of RDQ and ZCQ, and lumbar function, walking ability, social life, and psychological disorder domain scores of JOABPEQ differed significantly among these groups. The frequency of revision surgery was not higher in the F group than in the other groups. After adjustment for factors have shown different distributions among the three groups, the frequency of effective surgical cases did not show a clear trend among the three groups in all domains of the JOABPEQ. CONCLUSIONS: The preoperative HRQOL scores and the radiographic parameters of patients with LSCS worsened with frailty severity. However, frailty did not affect the rate of revision surgery and surgical efficacy in patients with LSCS. Although this study has limitations, our findings indicated that even LSCS patients with frailty can be considered for surgery if they have an indication for LSCS surgery.

BACKGROUND: Various treatments for chronic low back pain (LBP) have been reported; among them, platelet-rich plasma (PRP) as a regenerative medicine has attracted much attention. Although Modic type 1 change (MC1) is associated with LBP, no treatment has been established so far. In addition, no studies have administered PRP to intervertebral discs (IVDs) in patients with LBP, targeting MC1 only. Thus, the purpose of this study was to determine the safety and efficacy of PRP administration to the IVDs in patients with MC1 experiencing LBP. METHODS: PRP was injected intradiscally to 10 patients with MC1 experiencing LBP. Patients were followed prospectively for up to 24 weeks after primary administration. Physical condition, laboratory data, and lumbar x-ray images were evaluated for safety assessment. Furthermore, to evaluate the effectiveness of PRP, patient-reported outcomes were considered. In addition, changes in MC1 were assessed using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). RESULTS: There were no adverse events in the laboratory data or lumbar X-ray images after administration. The mean visual analog scale, which was 70.0 ± 13.3 before the treatment, significantly decreased 1 week after PRP administration and was 39.0 ± 28.8 at the last observation. Oswestry disability index and Roland Morris disability questionnaire scores promptly improved after treatment, and both improved significantly 24 weeks after PRP administration. Follow-up MRI 24 weeks after treatment showed a significant decrease in the mean high-signal intensity of fat-suppressed T2-weighted imaging from 10.1 to 7.90 mm2 compared with that before PRP administration. CONCLUSIONS: The safety and efficacy of PRP administration to the IVDs of patients with MC1 experiencing LBP were identified. Post-treatment MRI suggested improvement in inflammation, speculating that PRP suppressed inflammation and consequently relieved the patient's symptoms. Despite the small number of patients, this treatment is promising for patients with MC1 experiencing LBP. The study protocol has been reviewed and approved by the Certified Committee for Regenerative Medicine and the Japanese Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare (Japan Registry of Clinical Trials [jRCT] No. jRCTb042210159).

AIMS: With the aging society worldwide, lumbar spinal stenosis (LSS) has become common, and its incidence has been increasing worldwide. Frailty and locomotive syndrome significantly overlap as disorders in older people. The current study aimed to validate the association between frailty and locomotive syndrome in patients with LSS. In particular, the involvement of frailty in locomotive syndrome following surgery was examined. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the time-course data of consecutive patients aged ≥65 years who underwent lumbar spinal surgery for LSS. The locomotive syndrome stages were determined using the 25-Question Geriatric Locomotive Function Scale: stage 0, score ≤6; stage 1, score ≥7; stage 2, score ≥16; and Stage 3, score ≥24. Robust, pre-frailty, and frailty were defined as a modified frailty index-11 score of 0, <0.21, and >0.21, respectively. RESULTS: This study included 234 patients. All patients except one were diagnosed with locomotive syndrome preoperatively. Approximately 24.8% of participants were diagnosed with frailty. LSS surgery improved locomotive syndrome regardless of frailty severity. Meanwhile, multivariable analysis indicated that frailty could significantly inhibit improvement in locomotive syndrome after surgery in old patients with LSS (estimated relative risk: 0.6; 95% confidence interval: 0.4-0.9). CONCLUSIONS: This study first assessed the association between locomotive syndrome and frailty in patients with LSS. Locomotive syndrome could be managed effectively with surgery regardless of frailty severity in old patients with LSS. However, our findings emphasize the need to screen for frailty preoperatively in this patient group. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2024; 24: 116-122.

CASE: An 85-year-old woman was transported to our institution due to difficulty in walking. Preoperative imaging showed spinal cord lesions indicative of spinal cord tumor at the T7-8 level, accompanied by T8 vertebral fracture. Intraoperatively, the spinal lesion was suspected to be an epidural abscess; therefore, the capsule was resected, and the abscess was drained. We added pedicle screw fixation at the T6-10 level. Postoperatively, the spinal cord lesion was definitively diagnosed as spinal epidural tuberculoma. CONCLUSION: Spinal epidural tuberculomas should be considered in the treatment of spinal cord lesions causing paralysis attributed to spinal cord compression.

INTRODUCTION: Fractures are often caused by falls in older people. Among various causes of falls, polypharmacy is known to be a risk of falls. Furthermore, potentially inappropriate medicines (PIMs), which interact with polypharmacy, include the drugs involved in falls. Here, we primarily aimed to investigate the prescribed drugs in older surgical patients with extremity fractures to determine the frequency of polypharmacy and identify PIMs. The second aim was to clarify the characterization of prescribed drugs of older patients with hip fracture. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We retrospectively collected the following clinical data of consecutive patients aged ≥65 years who underwent surgery for extremity fractures at our hospital between April 2019 and March 2021. A total of 19 categories were considered as PIMs. The Poisson regression models were used to examine the association between the number of prescribed drugs and hip fracture prevalence. RESULTS: A total of 590 patients were reviewed. Our data showed that 55% of older patients with extremity fractures took ≥6 prescription drugs. The frequency of prescription of hypnotics, antithrombotic drugs, diuretics, and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs was comparatively high among the 19 categories of PIMs. Multivariable analysis revealed that polypharmacy was significantly associated with hip fractures. Among PIMs, antithrombotic drugs and diuretics were significantly associated with the prevalence of hip fractures. Finally, we found a significant positive association between the prevalence of hip fracture and the number of drug categories of PIMs among older patients with extremity fractures. CONCLUSIONS: The present study clarified the characterization of the prescribed drugs in older surgical patients with extremity fractures. Special attention should be paid to hip fractures of older patients with polypharmacy or prescribed with many drugs categories of PIMs, particularly antithrombotic drugs and diuretics.

PURPOSE: It is still unclear how lumbar spinal surgery affects the lipid metabolism of patients with lumbar spinal disorders (LSDs) such as lumbar spinal canal stenosis and lumbar disk herniation. The present study aimed to assess the impact of lumbar spinal surgery on lipid metabolism in patients with LSDs and clarify the factors associated with changes in visceral fat (VF) accumulation before and after lumbar spinal surgery. METHODS: Consecutive patients with lumbar spinal surgery for LSDs were prospectively included. Abdominal computed tomography images and blood examination of the participants were evaluated before surgery and at 6 months and 1 year after surgery. The cross-sectional VF area (VFA) was measured at the level of the navel using computed tomography images. Blood examination items included triglycerides and high-density lipoprotein (HDL). RESULTS: The study enrolled a total of 138 patients. Female patients with LSDs had significantly increased VFA and serum triglyceride levels after lumbar spinal surgery. On multivariable analysis, the group with > 100 cm2 of preoperative VFA and a postoperative decrease in VFA had a significantly worse preoperative walking ability based on the Japanese Orthopaedic Association Back Pain Evaluation Questionnaire (relative risk 2.1; 95% confidence intervals 1.1-4.1). CONCLUSIONS: The present study demonstrated that patients with LSDs did not necessarily improve their lipid metabolism after lumbar spinal surgery. Instead, female patients with LSDs had significantly deteriorated lipid metabolism after lumbar spinal surgery. Finally, a worse preoperative walking ability was associated with the improvement in excess VF accumulation after lumbar spinal surgery.

STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective study. OBJECTIVES: The combination of oblique lateral interbody fusion (OLIF) with grade 2 posterior column osteotomy (PCO) is an effective treatment for adult spinal deformity. However, grade 2 PCO may lead to pseudoarthrosis because it involves complete removal of the bilateral posterior facet joints. The main study objective was to determine the achievement rate of anterior and posterolateral fusion resulting in circumferential fusion in patients who underwent combined OLIF and grade 2 PCO. METHODS: This retrospective study included consecutive patients who underwent OLIF and grade 2 PCO. The group comprised a long fusion group, with fusion from the thoracic level to the ilium, and a short fusion group, with fusion within the lumbar region. The OLIF with percutaneous pedicle screw insertion group was also used for reference. The Brantigan-Steffee-Fraser classification was used to assess interbody fusion and Lenke classification for assessment of posterolateral fusion. RESULTS: Sixty-six patients with 109 lumbar levels were included in the study. We observed 100% anterior fusion in all 3 groups. The fusion rate for posterolateral fusion between the OLIF-grade 2 PCO group was 97%, with very low (3%) non-circumferential fusion (pseudoarthrosis only at the osteotomy site). In most cases, solid posterolateral fusions (Lenke A) occurred within 24 months. CONCLUSIONS: The combination of OLIF and grade 2 PCO resulted in circumferential fusion for most (97%) of the cases within 24 months. OLIF and grade 2 PCO are considered a good combination treatment to achieve sufficient lumbar lordosis and solid bone fusion.

Background and Objectives: There are several advantages of using lateral lumbar interbody fusion (LLIF) for correction surgeries for adult spinal deformity (ASD); however, we currently have unresolved new issues, including occasional anterior longitudinal ligament (ALL) rupture during the posterior correction procedure. When LLIF was initially introduced, only less lordotic cages were available and ALL rupture was more frequently experienced compared with later periods when more lordotic cages were available. We performed finite element analysis (FEA) regarding the mechanism of ALL rupture during a posterior correction procedure. Methods: A spring (which mimics ALL) was introduced at the location of ALL in the FEA and an LLIF cage with two different lordotic angles, 6 and 12 degrees (6DC/12DC), was employed. To assess the extent of burden on the ALL, the extension length of the spring during the correction procedure was measured and the location of the rotation center was examined. Results: We observed a significantly higher degree of length extension of the spring during the correction procedure in the FEA model with 6DC compared with that of 12DC. We also observed that the location of the rotation center was shifted posteriorly in the FEA model with 6DC compared with that of 12DC. Conclusions: It is considered that the posterior and rostral edge of the less lordotic angle cage became a hinge, and the longer lever arm increased the burden on ALL as the principle of leverage. It is important to use an LLIF cage with a sufficient lordotic angle, that is compatible with the degree of posterior osteotomy in ASD correction.

OBJECTIVES: Although cervical spondylotic myelopathy (CSM) has a marked impact on locomotive function, few studies have evaluated this relationship in terms of locomotive syndrome. Thus, we assessed (i) the stages of locomotive syndrome in preoperative CSM patients using the 25-question geriatric locomotive function scale (GLFS-25), (ii) the correlation between GLFS-25 scores and the Japanese orthopaedic association (JOA) scores or the JOA cervical myelopathy evaluation questionnaire (JOACMEQ) scores, and (iii) the factors associated with stage 3 locomotive syndrome in preoperative CSM patients. METHODS: We used clinical data from 107 patients scheduled for cervical spinal surgery for CSM. Data were collected prior to surgery, and included age, gender, body mass index, medical history, JOA score, and JOACMEQ and GLFS-25 scores. RESULTS: Of the included CSM patients, 93.5% were diagnosed with locomotive syndrome, of whom 77.6% were stage 3 according to GLFS-25 evaluation. For the correlation between GLFS-25 and JOA or JOACMEQ, the upper and lower extremity function scores of JOACMEQ and the JOA were strongly inversely correlated with the GLFS-25 score. Finally, multivariate analysis suggested that severe lower extremity status in the JOACMEQ was significantly associated with stage 3 locomotive syndrome in preoperative CSM patients. CONCLUSIONS: Using the GLFS-25, we found that lower extremity status had the strongest association with stage 3 locomotive syndrome in preoperative CSM patients. These findings are useful for preventing CSM patients from requiring future nursing care.

BACKGROUND: Patients with lumbar spinal canal stenosis (LSS) often have peripheral arterial disease and aortic disease based on atherosclerosis. Oxidized LDL, which is clinically involved in the development of atherosclerosis, may also influence LF hypertrophy, but the function of the oxidized low-density lipoprotein (LDL)/lectin-type oxidized LDL receptor 1 (LOX-1) system in LF hypertrophy is unknown. We aimed to elucidate the potential involvement of oxidized LDL/LOX-1 system in ligamentum flavum (LF) hypertrophy. METHODS: A total of 43 samples were collected from LF tissues of the patients who underwent posterior lumbar spinal surgery. Immunohistochemistry for LOX-1 was performed using human LF samples. We treated the cells in vitro with inflammatory cytokines TNF-α and IL-1β, oxidized LDL, and simvastatin. The expressions of LOX-1 and LF hypertrophy markers including type I collagen, Type III collagen, and COX-2 were assessed by real-time RT-PCR and immunocytochemistry. Phosphorylation of MAPKs and NF-κb was evaluated by Western blot after treatment with TNF-α, IL-1β, oxidized LDL, and simvastatin. RESULTS: A significant weak correlation was observed between the number of positive cells of LOX-1 and cross-sectional area of LF on preoperative axial magnetic resonance imaging. In functional analysis, simvastatin treatment neutralized the oxidized LDL-mediated induction of mRNA expressions of LF hypertrophy markers. Western blot analysis showed that oxidized LDL as well as TNF-α and IL-1β activated the signaling of MAPKs and NF-κb in LF cells, and that simvastatin treatment reduced the phosphorylation of all signaling. The TNF-α and IL-1β treatments increased both mRNA and protein expression of LOX-1 in LF cells. CONCLUSION: We found a link between the oxidized LDL/LOX-1 system and LF hypertrophy. In addition, our in vitro analysis indicate that oxidized LDL may affect LF hypertrophy through signaling of MAPKs. Our results suggest that the oxidized LDL/LOX-1 system may be a potential therapeutic target for LSS.

Spinal diseases are commonly associated with pain and neurological symptoms, which negatively impact patients' quality of life. Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) is an autologous source of multiple growth factors and cytokines, with the potential to promote tissue regeneration. Recently, PRP has been widely used for the treatment of musculoskeletal diseases, including spinal diseases, in clinics. Given the increasing popularity of PRP therapy, this article examines the current literature for basic research and emerging clinical applications of this therapy for treating spinal diseases. First, we review in vitro and in vivo studies, evaluating the potential of PRP in repairing intervertebral disc degeneration, promoting bone union in spinal fusion surgeries, and aiding in neurological recovery from spinal cord injury. Second, we address the clinical applications of PRP in treating degenerative spinal disease, including its analgesic effect on low back pain and radicular pain, as well as accelerating bone union during spinal fusion surgery. Basic research demonstrates the promising regenerative potential of PRP, and clinical studies have reported on the safety and efficacy of PRP therapy for treating several spinal diseases. Nevertheless, further high-quality randomized controlled trials would be required to establish clinical evidence of PRP therapy.

BACKGROUND: Polypharmacy is a growing public health problem occurring in all healthcare settings worldwide. Elderly patients with lumbar spinal canal stenosis (LSS) who manifest low back and neuropathic pain and have a high frequency of comorbidity are predicted to take many drugs. However, no studies have reported polypharmacy in elderly patients with LSS. Thus, we aimed to review the polypharmacy among elderly LSS patients with elective surgeries and examine how the surgical treatment reduces the polypharmacy. METHODS: We retrospectively enrolled all the patients aged ≥ 65 years who underwent spinal surgery for LSS between April 2020 and March 2021. The prescribed drugs of participants were directly checked by pharmacists in the outpatient department preoperatively and 6-month and 1-year postoperatively. The baseline characteristics were collected beside the patient-based outcomes including Roland-Morris Disability Questionnaire, Zurich Claudication Questionnaire, and Japanese Orthopaedic Association Back Pain Evaluation Questionnaire (JOABPEQ). The cutoff number of drugs for polypharmacy was defined as 6. The prescription drugs were divided into 9 categories: drugs for neuropsychiatric, cardiovascular, respiratory, digestive, endocrine metabolic, and urinary renal diseases; blood products; pain relief medication; and others. RESULTS: A total of 102 cases were finally analyzed, with a follow-up rate of 78.0%. Of the participants, the preoperative polypharmacy prevalence was 66.7%. The number of drugs 6-month and 1-year postoperatively was significantly less than the preoperative one. The proportions of polypharmacy at 6 months and 1 year after surgery significantly decreased to 57.8% and 55.9%, respectively. When the prescribed drugs were divided into 9 categories, the number of drugs for pain relief and digestive diseases was significantly reduced after surgery. The multi-variable analysis revealed that a higher score in the psychological disorder of JOABPEQ was associated with 3 or more drugs decreased 1-year postoperatively (OR, 2.5; 95% CI: 1.0-6.1). CONCLUSION: Polypharmacy prevalence was high among elderly LSS patients indicated for lumbar spinal surgery. Additionally, our data showed that lumbar spinal surgery was effective in reducing polypharmacy among elderly LSS patients. Finally, the multi-variable analysis indicated that better psychological condition was associated with the reduction of prescribed drugs after lumbar spinal surgery.

Treatment for lumbar spinal canal stenosis (LSCS) is mainly classified into conservative and surgical therapies. Among conservative therapies, pharmacological treatment is commonly prescribed for LSCS. Meanwhile, surgical treatment is the last option for LSCS. This study aimed to examine the impact of lumbar surgery on pharmacological treatment for patients with LSCS. Consecutive patients aged ≥ 40 years who underwent lumbar surgery for LSCS were identified. A total of 142 patients were retrospectively reviewed for preoperative and 6-month and 1-year postoperative LSCS medications. The results showed that the number of LSCS medications significantly decreased after lumbar surgery. The proportion of the patients taking non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, pregabalin/mirogabalin, opioids, prostaglandin E1 analogs, and neurotropin was significantly decreased after lumbar surgery, but that of the patients taking mecobalamin, acetaminophen, and serotonin-noradrenalin reuptake inhibitors was not significantly changed. Additionally, around 15% of the participants showed an increase in LSCS medications even after lumbar surgery. Multivariable analysis revealed that individuals without improvements in walking ability (RR: 2.7, 95% CI: 1.3-5.9) or social life (RR: 2.3, 95% CI: 1.1-5.0) had a greater risk of a postoperative increase in LSCS medications. The study results may provide physicians with beneficial information on treatment for LSCS.

Oxidative stress (OS) results in many disorders, of which degenerative musculoskeletal conditions are no exception. However, the interaction between OS and ligamentum flavum (LF) hypertrophy in lumbar spinal canal stenosis is not clearly understood. The first research question was whether OS was involved in LF hypertrophy, and the second was whether the antioxidant N-acetylcysteine (NAC) was effective on LF hypertrophy. In total, 47 LF samples were collected from patients with lumbar spinal disorders. The cross-sectional area of LF was measured on axial magnetic resonance imaging. Immunohistochemistry of 8-OHdG and TNF-α were conducted on human LF samples. A positive association was found between 8-OHdG or TNF-α expression and cross-sectional area of LF. Flow cytometry analysis showed that H2O2, buthionine sulfoximine, and TNF-α treatment significantly increased intracellular reactive oxygen species in primary LF cells. NAC inhibited the induction of LF hypertrophy markers by OS or TNF in a real-time reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Western blotting analysis indicated that p38, Erk, and p65 phosphorylation were involved in intracellular OS signaling in LF cells. In conclusion, our results indicated that OS could be a therapeutic target for LF hypertrophy. Although this study included no in vivo studies to examine the longitudinal efficacy of NAC on LF hypertrophy, NAC may have potential as a therapeutic agent against lumbar spinal canal stenosis.

Background and Objectives: Modic type 1 is known to be associated with lower back pain (LBP), but at present, a treatment has not been fully established. Meanwhile, platelet-rich plasma (PRP) has been used for tissue regeneration and repair in the clinical setting. There is no clinical PRP injection trial for the intervertebral disc of LBP patients with Modic type 1. Thus, this study aimed to verify PRP injection safety and efficacy in LBP patients with Modic type 1. As a preliminary experiment, two LBP cases with Modic type 1 are presented. Materials and Methods: PRP was administered intradiscally to two LBP patients with Modic type 1. PRP was obtained from the patients' anticoagulated blood. Primary endpoints were physical condition, laboratory data, and X-ray for safety evaluation. Secondary endpoints were pain scores using the visual analog scale (VAS), the Oswestry Disability Index (ODI), and the Roland-Morris Disability Questionnaire (RDQ) to evaluate PRP efficacy. The observation period was 24 weeks after the PRP injection. In addition, changes in Modic type 1 using MRI were evaluated. Results: This study assessed two LBP patients with Modic type 1. There were no adverse events in physical condition, laboratory data, or lumbar X-rays after injection. Follow-up MRI showed a decrease of high signal intensity on T2WI compared to before PRP administration. The pain scores tended to improve after the injection. Conclusions: PRP injection into the intervertebral disc of LBP patients with Modic type 1 might be safe and effective. This analysis will be continued as a prospective study to establish the efficacy.

CASE: Patients with myelopathy due to narrowing of the spinal canal with ossification of the ligamentum flavum (OLF) generally require surgical intervention, but surgical methods for OLF remain controversial. We discuss our experience regarding posterior fusion surgery with instrumentation for a patient with recurrent OLF at the same level after decompression surgery as well as describe the preoperative and postoperative course of this rare case. CONCLUSION: Posterior decompression and fusion surgery is recommended as revision surgery for recurrent OLF at the same level after decompression surgery. A detailed surgical planning should be developed before surgery.

CASE: Appendicular fecaliths have been reported to migrate to nearby organs before or during surgical treatment and become a late source of infection. We report an extremely rare case of recurrent iliopsoas abscesses caused by appendicular fecaliths that have migrated to the psoas muscle before or during the previous appendicectomy for acute appendicitis. In this case, surgical removal of fecaliths cured the iliopsoas abscess. CONCLUSION: Orthopaedic surgeons and gastroenterologists should remember that appendicular fecaliths that migrated into the iliopsoas muscle may cause late-onset iliopsoas abscesses.

STUDY DESIGN: A retrospective study of consecutive collected data. OBJECTIVE: To investigate risk factors for postoperative distal adding-on (DA) in Lenke Type 1B and 1C curves using intraoperative radiographs. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: In adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS), DA radiographic complication can negatively affect postoperative clinical results. However, few studies have focused on assessing risk factors for DA using intraoperative radiographs. METHODS: We retrospectively evaluated 69 AIS patients with Lenke Type 1B or 1C curves who underwent posterior selective thoracic fusion. We divided patients into DA and non-DA groups based on radiograph data at 2-year follow-up using Wang et al (Spine 2011) definition of DA. We compared coronal radiographic parameters, including relative positions of end vertebra (EV), stable vertebra (SV), neutral vertebra (NV), and last touching vertebra (LTV) to lowest instrumented vertebra (LIV), and intraoperative radiographic parameters, between the two groups. RESULTS: DA was present in 13 patients (18.8%) at 2-year follow-up. The mean LIV-EV, LIV-NV, LIV-SV, and LIV-LTV relative positions were significantly smaller in the DA group than in the non-DA group. Multivariate analysis showed that LIV-LTV was significantly associated with DA (DA: -0.2 ± 0.7, non-DA: 0.6 ± 0.7). Intraoperative radiographs showed that the mean angulation of the first disc below the LIV after final adjustment was significantly larger in the DA group (2.3° ± 1.1°) than in the non-DA group (0.9° ± 0.7°). Patients whose angulation of the first disc below the LIV was more than 3° were significantly associated with DA. CONCLUSION: The LIV selected at more cranial to the LTV may be a risk factor for postoperative DA in Lenke Type 1B and 1C curves. Moreover, it was suggested that LIV extension might be considered when the first disc's angulation below the LIV is >3° in intraoperative radiographs.Level of Evidence: 3.

AIMS: Elderly patients with musculoskeletal disorders are generally expected to receive many prescription drugs for non-musculoskeletal comorbidities and for alleviating chronic musculoskeletal pains. The aims of this study were to review the use of prescription drugs in elderly patients with elective surgeries for musculoskeletal disorders and to identify the factors associated with polypharmacy in elderly patients with musculoskeletal disorders. METHODS: We retrospectively collected the clinical data of patients aged ≥65 years who underwent knee arthroplasty, total hip arthroplasty, or spinal surgery for lumbar or cervical degenerative disorders at our institution. The following data were evaluated: age, body mass index, sex, surgical site, prescription drugs used, American Society of Anesthesiologists physical status grade, and medical history, including hypertension, hyperlipidemia, diabetes, stroke, malignancy, and smoking. Polypharmacy was defined as the use of six or more drugs. RESULTS: In the present study, 767 consecutive patients were evaluated retrospectively. The prevalence of polypharmacy was >50% in the elderly patients with musculoskeletal disorders. The mean numbers of total drugs and pain relief medications were significantly higher in the lumbar surgery group than in the other surgery groups. Multivariable analysis revealed that the factors associated with polypharmacy were lumbar surgery, hypertension, hyperlipidemia, diabetes, and malignancy. CONCLUSIONS: This is the first study to cross-sectionally review the drugs prescribed to patients with degenerative musculoskeletal disorders. It clearly identified the factors associated with polypharmacy in elderly patients with degenerative musculoskeletal disorders. Particular attention should be paid to polypharmacy in elderly patients with lumbar degenerative disorders. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2022; 22: 121-126.