Neurogenic Intermittent Claudication Research Articles

Compensatory upregulation of MT2A alleviates neurogenic intermittent claudication through inhibiting activated p38 MAPK-mediated neuronal apoptosis.

Neurogenic intermittent claudication (NIC), a classic symptom of lumbar spinal stenosis (LSS), is associated with neuronal apoptosis. To explore the novel therapeutic target of NIC treatment, we constructed the rat model of NIC by cauda equina compression (CEC) method and collected dorsal root ganglion (DRG) tissues, a region responsible for sensory and motor function, for mRNA sequencing. Bioinformatic analysis of mRNA sequencing indicated that upregulated metallothionein 2A (MT2A), an apoptosis-regulating gene belonging to the metallothionein family, might participate in NIC progression. Activated p38 MAPK mediated motor dysfunction following LSS and it was also found in DRG tissues of rats with NIC. Therefore, we supposed that MT2A might affect NIC progression by regulating p38 MAPK pathway. Then the rat model of NIC was used to explore the exact role of MT2A. Rats at day 7 post-CEC exhibited poorer motor function and had two-fold MT2A expression in DRG tissues compared with rats with sham operation. Co-localization analysis showed that MT2A was highly expressed in neurons, but not in microglia or astrocytes. Subsequently, neurons isolated from DRG tissues of rats were exposed to hypoxia condition (3% O2, 92% N2, 5% CO2) to induce cell damage. Gain of MT2A function in neurons was performed by lentivirus-mediated overexpression. MT2A overexpression inhibited apoptosis by inactivating p38 MAPK in hypoxia-exposed neurons. Our findings indicated that high MT2A expression was related to NIC progression, and MT2A overexpression protected against NIC through inhibiting activated p38 MAPK-mediated neuronal apoptosis in DRG tissues.

Relationships between the Spinal Dural Pulsations and the Short-Term Efficacy of Lumbar Epidural Steroid Injection.

Lumbar spinal stenosis (LSS) causes low back pain, leg pain, numbness in the leg, and neurogenic intermittent claudication. Epidural steroid injection (ESI) has been used for treating spinal stenosis symptoms. We hypothesized that dural pulsation was variable for lumbar spinal stenosis. In cases of the presence of dural pulsation, the pain relief after the ESI was better than in the absence of dural pulsation. This study aimed at investigating the relationships between the presence or absence of spinal dural pulsations and the efficacy of ESI. A total of 71 patients were enrolled in this prospective study. Prior to the ESI, the dural pulsation was measured using a 5-1 MHz array ultrasound transducer. The visual analogue scale (VAS) score was measured pre-ESI and 2 weeks post-ESI and 4 weeks post-ESI. At 4 weeks post-ESI, dural pulsation was rechecked. The VAS scores improved after the ESI procedure regardless of the presence or absence of dural pulsation. There was a correlation between the pulsation of the dura and post-ESI VAS scores. However, VAS was not significantly different for different grades of stenosis. The ESI was effective in patients with spinal stenosis in short-term follow-up. Dural pulsation of the spinal cord was a positive predictive factor for the ESI effect, but the grade of spinal stenosis severity had no effect on the effectiveness of ESI.

Is the interspinous process device safe and effective in elderly patients with lumbar degeneration? A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

Lumbar spinal stenosis is one of the most common diseases affecting the elderly that is characterized by the narrowing of the spinal canal and peripheral neural pathways which may cause back pain and neurogenic intermittent claudication in affected patients. Recently, as an alternative treatment between conservative therapy and decompression surgery, interspinous process device (IPD) such as X-stop, Coflex, DIAM, Aperius, Wallis, etc., has gained enough popularity. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of IPD in the treatment of degenerative lumbar spinal stenosis compared with decompression surgery. This study was a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. 555 patients' samples were collected for this study. The Visual Analogue Scale and the Oswestry Disability Index were analyzed, as well as the Zurich Claudication Questionnaire For efficacy evaluation. Complication and reoperation rate was utilized for the assessment of safety. A comprehensive literature search was performed through Pubmed, EMBASE, Web of Science, and Cochrane Library until October 2023. Among the studies meeting the eligible criteria, any study in which IPD was utilized in the treatment of degenerative lumbar spinal stenosis was included in the current review. For efficacy evaluation, the Visual Analogue Scale and the Oswestry Disability Index were analyzed, as well as the Zurich Claudication Questionnaire. Complication and reoperation rates were utilized for the assessment of safety. Five randomized controlled trials with 555 patients were included. There were no significant differences in VAS leg pain (SMD - 0.08, 95% CI - 0.32 to 0.15) and back pain (SMD 0.09, 95%CI-0.27 to 0.45), ODI scores (MD 1.08, 95% CI - 11.23 to 13.39) and ZCQ physical function (MD-0.09, 95% CI-0.22 to 0.05) for IPD compared with decompression surgery. In terms of ZCQ symptom severity (MD - 0.22, 95% CI - 0.27 to - 016), decompression surgery showed superior to the IPD. As for complications (RR 1.08, 95% CI 0.36 to 3.27), the IPD had no advantages compared to decompression surgery, whereas inferior to it in reoperation rate (RR 2.58, 95% CI 1.67 to 3.96). This systematic review and meta-analysis indicated no superiority in the clinical outcome for IPD compared with decompression surgery. However, more clinical studies are warranted to determine the efficacy and safety of IPD.

Effectiveness of Hamstring Release and Neural Mobilisation in Improving Walking Capability and Physical Activity Associated with Intermittent Neurogenic Claudication in Patients with Lumbar Spinal Stenosis: A Quasi-experimental Study

Introduction: In India, one of the most prevalent spinal pathologies is Lumbar Spinal Stenosis (LSS). It is characterised by the compression of neural structures in the spinal canal, resulting in symptoms such as neurogenic claudication, lower extremity radiculopathy, and gait impairment. Treatment involves various therapeutic modalities, with present study focusing on an integrated exercise method. Aim: To evaluate the potential efficacy of hamstring release and neural mobilisation in LSS patients. Materials and Methods: This quasi-experimental study was conducted at SGT Medical College Hospital and Research Institute, Gurugram, Haryana, India from September 2021 to May 2022. Total of 30 patients diagnosed with LSS were divided into two groups based on inclusion criteria: group A (experimental) and group B (control). Pain, neural flexibility, walking capacity, disability, and physical activity were assessed at baseline and after the 3rd week of the intervention. Treatment sessions were administered for 30 minutes per day, three times per week (on alternate days), for a duration of three weeks in both groups. Data analysis was done using the Windows version of Statistical Package for Social Sciences version 26.0 (SPSS, Chicago, IL, USA). The paired t-test was used to compare mean data within each group before and after the intervention. The Independent t-test formula was applied to compare pre and postintervention changes between group A and group B. Group B. A significance level of p-value <0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: Group A and group B had respective mean ages of 37.07±8.66 years and 41.07±8.66 years. Total of 30 LSS patients were treated. Significant differences were observed in the Numeric Pain Rating Scale (NPRS) (p-value<0.0001), Straight Leg Raise (SLR) (p < 0.001), Slump Test (p-value<0.0001), and Self-paced Walking Test (SPWT) (p-value <0.0001). Minimal significance was noted in the Modified Oswestry Disability Index (MODI) (p-value=0.027) and Swiss Spinal Stenosis Questionnaire (SSSQ) (p-value=0.029). Conclusion: Hamstring release and neural mobilisation improve pain, neural flexibility, walking capacity, disability, and physical activity in LSS patients.

Interlaminar Endoscopic Lumbar Discectomy Versus Microscopic Lumbar Discectomy: A Preliminary Analysis of L5-S1 Lumbar Disc Herniation Outcomes in Prospective Randomized Controlled Trials.

A preliminary report from a single institution, noninferiority, prospective randomized controlled trial is conducted to determine the effectiveness of interlaminar endoscopic lumbar discectomy (IELD) versus microscopic lumbar discectomy (MLD) for the treatment of L5-S1 lumbar disc herniation (LDH). This prospective, noncrossover, randomized controlled trials was conducted at a single neurosurgical center. Patients with symptomatic radiculopathy or intermittent neurogenic claudication caused by LDH were enrolled from July 2016 to July 2021. The study compared the effectiveness of microscopic and full-endoscopic discectomy procedures. Outcome measures included visual analogue scale (VAS) scores for back and leg pain, Oswestry Disability Index scores, radiologic measurements, endurance time of walking, and satisfaction rate. Of 37 assessed patients, both IELD and MLD groups demonstrated significant improvements in VAS scores for pain over time, with no significant difference between them. For secondary outcomes, the IELD group had a shorter hospital stay and reduced blood loss but a longer operation time than the MLD group. Radiographic evaluations showed no change compared to preoperative data. Patient satisfaction and recovery rates were slightly higher for the MLD group, but both groups were comparable in most evaluations, with complications being minimal. The IELD was noninferior in improving the intensity of back and leg pain and functional disability, compared to the MLD. Additionally, the IELD showed no difference in clinical outcomes for patients in terms of radiographic results and patient satisfaction rates. The results of this research preliminarily demonstrate that the IELD could be considered an effective alternative to MLD for L5-S1 central or paracentral LDH.

Results of treatment of patients with degenerative lumbar stenosis using spinal epidural neurostimulation

The article provides the results of treatment of patients with degenerative lumbar stenosis; a detailed analysis of the main components of pain syndrome, neurogenic intermittent claudication, and factors of patient disability has been carried out. The efficacy of volley and tonic neurostimulation has been compared, factors of the effectiveness of neurostimulation have been identified, and an algorithm for managing patients with degenerative lumbar stenosis with severe concomitant diseases that prevent decompressive surgery has been developed.

Syndromic Assessment of Degenerative Disorders of the Lumbar Spine in Elderly Patients

Background. The choice of the method and options for surgical treatment of degenerative pathology of the lumbar spine is difficult due to the lack of clear clinical and radiological criteria for diagnosis and a direct correlation between the severity of the radiological manifestations of the disease and clinical symptoms.
 The aim of this study was to analyze the clinical and neurological characteristics of elderly patients with degenerative disorders of the lumbar spine and to identify the dominant clinical and radiologic syndromes.
 Methods. Сohort of 1013 patients were operated using MIS technologies (decompression alone, TLIF, LLIF, ALIF) in the period 20132017 (367 male/646 female). The age range is 60-89 years (mean 66 years). The criteria for identifying the leading syndromes: leg pain/back pain with a threshold value of 5 points according to VAS, X-ray criteria for clinical instability by A.A. White and M.M. Panjabi (value 5 points), Cobb angle 10, markers of sagittal imbalance: Index Barrey (II and III), PT increase above target values, L4-S1 and LL deficiency.
 Results. Symptoms of compression were identified in 97% of patients. Radiculopathy syndrome was detected in 665 (66%) patients with mean leg pain 7 points, neurogenic intermittent claudication in 319 (31%) patients. Degenerative spondylolisthesis according to radiological criteria was detected in 428 (42%) patients. Degenerative scoliotic deformity had 91 (9%) patients. In accordance with the proposed criteria, the dominant compression syndrome was determined in 624 patients (62%), clinical instability syndrome in 338 (33%), deformity syndrome with sagittal imbalance in 51 (5%).
 Conclusion. Syndromic assessment of clinical, neurological and radiological manifestations of degenerative disorders provides the possibility of identifying the dominant syndrome requiring operative surgical treatment and a differentiated approach to choosing the optimal surgical option.

Treatment of Facet Cysts Associated With Neurogenic Intermittent Claudication With X-Stop: Erratum.

Treatment of Facet Cysts Associated With Neurogenic Intermittent Claudication With X-Stop: Erratum.

The outcomes of flavectomy with foraminotomy versus hemilaminectomy with foraminotomy in patients with lumbar neurogenic intermittent claudication: A comparative study in Sulaimaniyah, Kurdistan region, Iraq

Background: The main prominent and classical symptom of lumbar spinal stenosis is intermittent neurogenic claudication, which is characterized by pain, aching, cramping, and paresthesia in the lower extremities induced by standing, walking, and back extension. Surgical decompression is the best choice when conservative methods fail. There are various decompressive techniques have been introduced, among them flavectomy with foraminotomy (F/F) and hemilaminectomy with foraminotomy (H/F).
 
 Objectives: To compare the outcomes of F/F versus H/F, in patients with neurogenic claudication and to determine the predictors that may interfere with the outcomes.
 
 Materials and Methods: Twenty-one patients with lumbar spinal stenosis having neurogenic claudication were divided into two groups sequentially. The first group (n=10) underwent F/F, and the other group (n=11) underwent H/F. Follow-up was done in the first and sixth months postoperatively for postoperative complications, Oswestry disability index (ODI), claudication distance, and patients' satisfaction regarding symptoms.
 
 Results: In the last follow-up, the first group, after F/F, showed improvement in walking distance as 80% reported unlimited,10% improved with >1500 m, and 10% less improved with 500 m. These cases got lesser ODI scores and mostly were <10% despite one case remaining with moderate disability. Patient satisfaction rates were higher but not significant. While those who underwent H/F, nearly 40% showed unlimited walking distance, 45% improved with >1000 m, the remaining reported less improvement, and one remained with <100 m walking distance. Their ODI scores were higher than the previous group, mostly >10%, and 2 cases remained with moderate disability and complained of remaining back ache and leg paresthesia while improving in walking distance.
 
 Conclusions: both surgical procedures showed benefits in treating lumbar spinal stenosis, but F/F is better than H/F due to its high success and patient satisfaction rate. It can significantly improve a patient's quality of life by increasing postoperative walking distance, resolving neurogenic claudication, reducing ODI score, and relieving back pain, lower limbs pain, and paresthesia postoperatively. The increase in age is associated with less improvement after both procedures.

Correlation of clinical signs and magnetic resonance imaging findings in patients with lumbar spondylosis.

The purpose of the study was to contribute further to this debated topic by investigating the correlation of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings with the clinical picture in lumbar spondylosis patients. This multicenter retrospective study (as part of the epidemiological project of the TLAR-OASG [Turkish League Against Rheumatism-Osteoarthritis Study Group]) included 514 patients (101 males, 413 females; mean age: 63.6±10.8 years; range, 40 to 85 years) who were diagnosed as lumbar spondylosis by clinical examination and direct X-ray between December 2016 and June 2018. Demographic characteristics of patients, Visual Analog Scale for pain, presence of radiating pain, Roland-Morris disability questionnaire, straight leg raise test, deep tendon reflexes, neurogenic intermittent claudication symptoms, any decrease of muscle strength, and abnormality of sensation were recorded. Lumbar MRI findings of the patients were recorded as positive or negative in terms of disc herniation, intervertebral disc degeneration, root compression, osteophytes, spinal stenosis. Statistical analysis was done to assess the correlation between the clinical symptoms, physical examination, and MRI findings. Correlation analysis of the MRI results and the clinical findings showed a significant correlation between straight leg raise test and root compression (p<0.001, r=0.328) and a significant correlation between neurogenic intermittent claudication and spinal stenosis (p<0.001, r=0.376). Roland-Morris disability questionnaire had a significant correlation with all MRI findings (p<0.05, r<0.200). The results of this study corroborate the notion that diligent patient history and physical examination are more valuable than MRI findings, even though a higher incidence of abnormal MRI findings have been obtained in patients with disability and dermatomal radiating pain.

Neurogenic intermittent claudication caused by vasculitis in the cauda equina: an autopsy case report.

Intermittent claudication (IC) refers to leg pain that is induced by walking and relieved by rest. Neurogenic IC is usually associated with lumbar canal stenosis (LCS). We present rare findings from an autopsied patient who had neurogenic IC caused by vasculitis in the cauda equina. We performed antemortem neurological and electrophysiological assessments, sural nerve biopsy, and post-mortem examination of the spinal cord and brain. A 61-year-old man noted sudden-onset leg pain that was not associated with any traumatic trigger. His leg pain consistently appeared when the patient walked and quickly faded on stopping. Spine surgery and cardiovascular departments both made a diagnosis of IC. However, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) did not show LCS, and all ankle-brachial pressure indices were normal. He subsequently developed diffuse muscle weakness of the legs a month after disease onset. Myeloperoxidase antineutrophil cytoplasmic autoantibody was seropositive (140IU/mL), and a sural nerve biopsy revealed axonal injury and angiitis. MRI showed multiple cerebral infarctions. He was diagnosed with microscopic polyangiitis (MPA) and underwent corticosteroid therapy. He died from complications two months after the onset. A post-mortem study revealed vasculitis in the subarachnoid space of the cauda equina, spinal cord, and brain parenchyma. The cauda equina showed a combined loss of small and large axonal fibres. The lumbar cord displayed central chromatolysis of the lower motor neurons. MPA is a rare cause of neurogenic IC when the symptom is acute and multimodal. Small-vessel vasculitis affecting the cauda equina may underlie MPA-associated IC.

Ligamentum flavum hypertrophy significantly contributes to the severity of neurogenic intermittent claudication in patients with lumbar spinal canal stenosis.

Ligamentum flavum hypertrophy (LFH) is a known contributor to lumbar spinal canal stenosis (LSCS). However, the clinical significance and quantitative role of LFH compared to other components, such as disc bulging and facet hypertrophy, have not yet been examined. We investigated the correlation between the quantitative radiological factors, clinical symptoms, and outcomes in patients with LSCS. In total, 163 patients diagnosed with single-level (L4-L5) stenosis were included. The patients were divided into 2 groups according to claudication severity: >100 m for mild (n = 92) and < 100 m for severe (n = 71). The visual analog scale (VAS) was used to quantify back and leg pain, and the Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) and Short form-36 (SF-36) physical component summary (PCS) scores, and Macnab criteria were evaluated as clinical factors 6 months after treatment. We measured the baseline canal cross-sectional area, ligamentum flavum (LF) area, disc herniation area, dural sac area, fat area, and LF thickness using MRI. A comparative analysis was performed to evaluate the association between radiologic and clinical factors. Additionally, further comparative analyses between the types of surgeries were performed. Among various radiologic factors, the baseline LF thickness (odds ratio [OR] 1.73; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.25-2.41) was the only major contributing factor to the severity of claudication in the multivariate logistic regression analysis. The types of surgery (decompression alone vs fusion) did not significantly differ in terms of their clinical outcomes, including back and leg VAS, ODI, SF-36 PCS, and satisfaction with the MacNab classification. LF thickness is a major factor contributing to claudication severity.

Objective Evaluation of Neurogenic Intermittent Claudication for Patients With Lumbar Spinal Stenosis Based on Plantar Pressure Analysis.

A cross-sectional study. To quantify the severity of neurogenic intermittent claudication (NIC) for patients with lumbar spinal stenosis (LSS) based on the center of pressure trajectory. NIC is one of the typical symptoms of LSS. So far, the severity level of NIC is mainly evaluated by the subjective description of patients, which might be biased by patients' background differences and thus lead to an ineffective diagnosis or inappropriate treatment for LSS. Therefore, it remains necessary to develop a reliable clinical technique for quantitative evaluation of NIC to achieve more effective therapy for LSS. In the present study, the Footscan pressure system was used to detect the center of pressure trajectory. The real-time walking distance (rtWD) and the corresponding displacement of the medial-lateral center of pressure (ML-COP) were calculated based on the trajectory. The differences of ML-COP between LSS and control groups were analyzed using a one-way repeated measures analysis of variance. Regression and Pearson correlation analysis were used to investigate the correlation between rtWD and ML-COP, as well as the relation between the Oxford Claudication Score (OCS) and clinical evaluation indicators. The present study included 31 LSS patients and 31 healthy controls. There were no significant differences in demographic data between the two groups ( P >0.05). The results indicated that ML-COP would increase with the number of laps in the LSS group while not in the control group. Also, a linear relationship was identified between the ML-COP and rtWD for LSS patients ( R2 >0.80, P <0.05). Since the incremental rate of ML-COP for LSS patients was reflected by the regression coefficients of the linear regression analysis, thus the regression coefficients were defined as the claudication correlation coefficients (CCCs). In addition, it was indicated by the statistical analysis that there was a strong positive correlation between OCS and CCC ( r =0.96; P <0.001) and a medium negative correlation with final walking distance ( r =-0.67; P <0.001). It was also noticed that there was no significant correlation between the average ML-COP and OCS ( r =-0.03; P =0.864). The ML-COP of LSS patients would increase with the patients' walking distance. This incremental rate, characterized by the CCC, would be used as an effective indicator to quantify the severity level of the NIC for potentially more accurate and reliable diagnosis, evaluation, and treatment of LSS. 3.

Interspinous process device versus conventional decompression for lumbar spinal stenosis: 5-year results of a randomized controlled trial.

Interspinous process distraction devices (IPDs) can be implanted to treat patients with intermittent neurogenic claudication (INC) due to lumbar spinal stenosis. Short-term results provided evidence that the outcomes of IPD implantation were comparable to those of decompressive surgery, although the reoperation rate was higher in patients who received an IPD. This study focuses on the long-term results. Patients with INC and spinal stenosis at 1 or 2 levels randomly underwent either decompression or IPD implantation. Patients were blinded to the allocated treatment. The primary outcome was the Zurich Claudication Questionnaire (ZCQ) score at 5-year follow-up. Repeated measurement analysis was applied to compare outcomes over time. In total, 159 patients were included and randomly underwent treatment: 80 patients were randomly assigned to undergo IPD implantation, and 79 underwent spinal bony decompression. At 5 years, the success rates in terms of ZCQ score were similar (68% of patients who underwent IPD implantation had a successful recovery vs 56% of those who underwent bony decompression, p = 0.422). The reoperation rate at 2 years after surgery was substantial in the IPD group (29%), but no reoperations were performed thereafter. Long-term visual analog scale score for back pain was lower in the IPD group than the bony decompression group (p = 0.02). IPD implantation is a more expensive alternative to decompressive surgery for INC but has comparable functional outcome during follow-up. The risk of reoperation due to absence of recovery is substantial in the first 2 years after IPD implantation, but if surgery is successful this positive effect remains throughout long-term follow-up. The IPD group had less back pain during long-term follow-up, but the clinical relevance of this finding is debatable.

Long-Term Outcomes of Laminectomy in Lumbar Spinal Stenosis: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Objective Lumbar spinal stenosis (LSS) patients suffer from significant pain and disability. To assess long-term safety and efficacy of laminectomy in LSS patients, a systematic review and meta-analysis study was conducted. Methods Literature review in MEDLINE, Embase, Scopus, Web of Science, and Cochrane Library databases was performed using a predefined search strategy. Articles were included if they met the following characteristics: human studies, LSS, and at least 5 years of follow-up. Outcome measures included patient satisfaction, pain, disability, claudication, reoperation rates, and complications. Results Twelve articles met the eligibility criteria for our study. Overall, there was low-quality evidence that patients undergoing laminectomy, with at least 5 years of follow-up, have significantly more satisfaction, and less pain and disability, compared with the preoperative baseline. Assessment of neurogenic intermittent claudication showed significant improvement in walking abilities. We also reviewed the postoperative complication and adverse events in the included studies. After meta-analysis was performed, the reoperation rate was found to be 14% (95% confidence interval: 13–16%). Conclusion Our study provides low-quality evidence suggesting that patients undergoing laminectomy for LSS have less disability and pain and can be more physically active postoperatively.

Active‐Matrix Sensing Array Assisted with Machine‐Learning Approach for Lumbar Degenerative Disease Diagnosis and Postoperative Assessment

AbstractLumbar degenerative disease (LDD) refers to the nerve compression syndrome such as neurogenic intermittent claudication and lower limb pain, which disturbs people's daily life, and its incidence increases with age. Traditional diagnosis often employs magnetic response imaging or other imaging examinations. But the radiological data have uncertain clinical correlation and often be overemphasized in clinical decision making. Here, an active‐matrix sensing array (AMSA) is proposed to measure plantar pressure during walking, in order to improve LDD diagnostic processes. An array of piezoelectric sensors with high robustness are assembled. Combined with a support vector machine (SVM) supervised learning algorithm, the system can classify the common human motions of half‐squat, squat, jump, walk and jog with an accuracy up to 99.2%, demonstrating its capability of recognizing personal activities. More importantly, in 62 clinical samples of lumbar degenerative patients, the system can perform an artificial intelligence diagnosis, achieving an accuracy of 100% with an area under receiver operating characteristic curve of 0.998, and also gives out recovery assessments after surgery. Since the personal plantar pressure is also indicative of other diseases, such as diabetes and fasciitis, the system can be extended to other medical aspects, showing a broad impact in biomedical engineering.

Transpedicular stabilization of the spondylolesthesis of the lumbosacral spine

This article presents the current state of the problem of surgical treatment of the lumbosacral spine using a transpedicular stabilizing system. Degenerative dystrophic diseases of the spine are a serious disease, manifested by neurogenic intermittent claudication, pain in the lower extremities and lower back. The same reason leads to poor results of surgical treatment, since many patients are operated on in a state of decompensation. At the moment, there is no unequivocal opinion about the indications for stabilizing operations. On the one hand, the implementation of only one decompression can trigger the development of further instability in one or several segments.

ОПЫТ ДЕРЕЦЕПЦИИ МЕЖПОЗВОНКОВЫХ СУСТАВОВ ПОЯСНИЧНОГО ОТДЕЛА ПОЗВОНОЧНИКА

In this paper, we studied the immediate and long-term results of denervation of intervertebral joints in 30 patients with pain syndrome in the lumbar spine. The criteria for exclusion from the study were-the presence of deformities and abnormalities of the spine, the presence of neurogenic intermittent claudication, signs of compression of neural structures, surgical intervention on the POP in the anamnesis. The catamnesis was collected in 18 patients in the period from 1.7 months to 18 months after surgery. Pain syndrome on a visually analog scale after surgery decreased by an average of 20–30 mm. Subclinically expressed anxiety/depression persists in all patients with a “good” treatment outcome, and the assessment was performed using the hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS). According to the Nurick scale, the results of treatment were estimated at level 2 (improvement) in 93.3% of cases (n = 28), level 3 (condition without changes) 6.7% of cases (n = 2). According to the results of the study, denervation of the intervertebral joints is an eff ective minimally invasive method of treating facet syndrome. It allows in the early and long-term postoperative periods to signifi cantly reduce the pain syndrome and improve the quality of life of patients. The authors also assume that back pain is polyethological, which requires careful selection of patients for this type of procedure

Criteria for selection of patients with lumbar intervertebral disc herniation complicated by spinal canal stenosis

Aim – to evaluate clinical and instrumental correlation (MRI data) in patients with lumbar intervertebral disc herniation complicated by spinal canal stenosis for optimizing the indications for differentiated surgical treatment. Materials and methods. Clinical and neurological manifestations and MRI data in 80 patients (men – 36, women – 44), aged 27 to 72 years with a diagnosis of intervertebral disc herniation complicated by spinal canal stenosis were retrospectively analyzed. Depending on the size of the spinal canal, there were 2 groups: the first – with relative spinal canal stenosis (n = 20) – 75–100 mm2, and the second group – with absolute spinal canal stenosis (n = 60) – less than 75 mm2. We examined the correlation between the clinical and neurological presentations and MRI findings. Results. Our retrospective analysis has found that the first group consisted mainly of younger patients (46 years) and with a mean intervertebral disc herniation of 8.35 mm, while the second group included older patients (51.7 years) and the mean size of intervertebral disc herniation was 7.3 mm. The group of relative spinal canal stenosis was dominated by patients with radiculopathy syndrome (70 %) and pain in one lower limb (85 %). Radiculoischemia syndrome (50 %), pain in both lower extremities (33 %), neurogenic intermittent claudication syndrome (46.6 %), knee reflex disorders (58.3 %), pelvic organ dysfunction (11.6 %) were more common in the second group of patients. In addition, the longest disease duration (more than 24 months) was observed among patients of this group. We have found a relationship between pain syndrome (according to VAS), muscle strength, the disease duration and the spinal canal area. Conclusions. The correlation of clinical and instrumental methods of examination in patients with intervertebral disc herniation complicated by spinal canal stenosis allows the indications for differentiated surgery to be optimized.

Effect Comparison Of MIS-TLIF Under MED and Quadrant Modes in The Treatment of Lu mbar Spinal Stenosis

Background Lumbar spinal stenosis is one of the common causes of low back and leg pain. Lumbar intervertebral disc degeneration leads to the decrease of intervertebral height, the limitation of vertebral activity, and the biomechanical changes of the lumbar spine, which in turn makes the lumbar anterior convex angle and sacral inclination angle smaller, and the pelvic inclination angle larger, affecting the stress distribution of the lumbar spine aggravating the intervertebral disc degeneration. If the spinal canal stenosis is not corrected for a long time, can cause the cauda equina nerve, nerve root compression, resulting in neurogenic intermittent claudication. If the spinal canal stenosis is not corrected for a long time, can cause the cauda equina nerve, nerve root compression, resulting in neurogenic intermittent claudication. Surgery can correct lumbar stenosis and reconstruct lumbar stability. But the traditional lumbar fusion trauma is huge, even can aggravate pain, spinal canal stenosis. Therefore, more and more patients are more inclined to MIS-TLIF treatment with less surgical trauma. For single-segment lumbar spinal stenosis, MIS-TLIF has the same effect as open surgery in restoring lumbar interbody height and improving lumbar-pelvis balance. Objective Discussion on the effect difference of minimally invasive transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (MIS-TLIF) in the treatment of lumbar spinal stenosis by Quadrant and MED methods. Methods A total of 96patients with lumbar spinal stenosis who were scheduled to undergo MIS-TLIF surgery in Our Hospital from January 2017 to October 2020 were selected and divided into group A and group B according to the surgical channel selection scheme, with 48 cases in each group. The patients in group A were treater with MED channel, and the patients in group B were treated with Quadrant channel. The degree of surgical trauma, VAS score before and postoperative, JOA score, lumbar-pelvic imaging parameters and surgical complications were compared between the two methods. Results The operation time of the A group was shorter than that of the group B(P &lt; 0.05). The blood loss, exposure time under X line, drainage flow and down-ground time in A group were lower than those in B group, which had statistical significance (P&lt;0.05) ; A and B groups of patients were compared, the difference was not statistically significant (P&gt;0.05) ; Preoperative, Comparison of VAS scores between A and B groups, the difference was not statistically significant (P&gt;0.05) . On the first day of postoperative, the VAS score of group A was lower than that of groupB, which had statistical significance (P &lt; 0.05). Preoperative, Comparison of JOA scores between A and B groups, the difference was not statistically significant (P&gt;0.05) ; Comparison of JOA scores between 1 month ,3 months and 6 months in Postoperative, the difference was not statistically significant (P&gt;0.05). The JOA scores of the two groups at 1 month, 3 months and 6 months postoperative were significantly lower than those Preoperative (P &lt; 0.05). Six months postoperative, the lumbar anterior convex angle, segmental anterior convex angle and intervertebral height of the two groups were significantly higher than those Preoperative (P&lt;0.05), and the pelvic inclination angle of the two groups was lower than that Preoperative (P&lt;0.05).Conclusion MIS-TLIF in the treatment of patients with lumbar spinal stenosis using MED channel or Quadrant channel operation has curative effect, and there is little difference in the recovery of lumbar-pelvis imaging parameters, but the former has the advantages of less surgical trauma and lower postoperative pain.