From disc replacement to Ozempic, Becker's reported on eight key spine and orthopedic studies since Oct. 28.
1. Radiologists were able to reach "nearly perfect" diagnoses for lumbar spine MRIs if they get patent-reported symptom information, according to an Oct. 29 study in Radiology. The single-center study involved 240 participants who did pre-MRI symptom questionnaires between May 2022 and February 2023. Agreements on pain generators were "almost perfect" for interpretations with the self-reported questionnaire compared to specialists' diagnoses.
2. A new study published in The New England Journal of Medicine shows Ozempic could be beneficial for treating knee pain caused by osteoarthritis. The study reviewed 407 people with obesity and knee osteoarthritis taking semaglutide, the active component of Ozempic and Wegovy, or a placebo over 68 weeks. The most significant reported physical improvement was to patient knee pain. People who took semaglutide had a 41.7-point reduction in pain compared to those who took a placebo and saw their pain reduced by 27.5 points.
3. Laminoplasty and laminectomy and fusion are both options to address cervical myelopathy, but their cost-effectiveness varies, according to a study in the Nov. 15 issue of Spine. Researchers did a retrospective analysis of 277 cervical laminoplasties and 229 cervical laminectomies with fusion. They analyzed facility costs, including personnel and supply. Other analyses including and excluding implant costs were also performed. Cervical laminectomy with fusion patients had increased total facility costs including and excluding implant costs.
4. Biologics company Theradaptive's lead therapeutic, OsteoAdapt SP, has been featured in a preclinical spinal fusion study published in Spine, a prominent, peer-reviewed publication for spinal surgeons. The study demonstrated the preclinical safety and efficacy of OsteoAdapt SP in a clinically relevant large animal model. Results showed faster and more robust new bone formation within the interbody cage, performing as well as or better than the gold standard.
5. Total joint arthroplasty procedures are the most common cause of malpractice claims within orthopedic surgery, according to a September study published in The Journal of Arthroplasty. The study ultimately reviewed 59 cases, including 33 TKA and 26 THA cases. The TKA cases primarily cited pain (24%), while the THA cases cited nerve injuries (31%). Negligence largely stemmed from procedural error (47%), postsurgical error (27%, and failure to inform (14%). Case outcomes were in favor of the defense in 66% of cases.
6. A study comparing the area deprivation index and social vulnerability index in lumbar spine patients found the latter was better for evaluating postoperative outcomes, according to a publication in the Dec. 1 issue of Spine. One hundred eighty-two patients who had elective one- or two-level posterior spine surgery between January 2015 and September 2021 were included. They all had surgery at the same institution. Researchers found race wasn't a significant predictor of MCID for pain interference or physical function. A univariate logistic regression found that among SVI themes, socioeconomic status, housing type and transportation had significant effects on patient outcomes.
7. Four-level cervical disc replacement is rare, but a small study published in the October issue of the International Journal of Spine Surgery found the procedure is safe and effective. Researchers examined the data of 20 patients with a mean age of 56 and an average follow-up of 34 months. All patients had improved clinical outcomes, and range of motion trended toward an increase after four-level disc replacement. Global cervical alignment remained unchanged. There was one case of permanent C5 radiculopathy but no other reoperations or neurological deteriorations.
8. The Nevro1 sacroiliac joint fusion system was found to be superior compared to posterolateral and lateral approaches, Nevro said Nov. 18. The study found Nevro1 and lateral triangular rods produced equivalent motion reduction in all motion planes. It also was equivalent in osteopenic bone compared to a lateral triangular rod system.