Effect of an Annular Closure Device (Barricaid) on Same-Level Recurrent Disk Herniation and Disk Height Loss After Primary Lumbar Discectomy

Objective: To evaluate whether an annular closure device could be implanted safely to reduce same-level recurrent disk herniation, or attenuate disk height loss and improve the outcome after lumbar discectomy. Summary of Background Data: Same-level recurrent disk herniation, disk height loss, and progressive degeneration are common complications and sequelae after lumbar discectomy. Techniques to reduce these consequences may improve outcomes. Methods: Forty-six consecutive patients undergoing lumbar discectomy for single-level herniated disk at 2 institutions were followed prospectively with clinical and radiographic evaluations at 6 weeks and 3, 6, 12, and 24 months (control cohort). A second consecutive cohort of 30 patients undergoing 31 lumbar discectomies with implantation of an annular closure device was followed similarly. Incidence of recurrent disk herniation, disk height loss, the leg and back pain visual analog scale (VAS), and the Oswestry Disability Index were assessed at each follow-up. Results: Cohorts were well matched at baseline. By 2 years of follow-up, symptomatic recurrent same-level disk herniation occurred in 3 (6.5%) patients in the control cohort versus 0 (0%) patients in the annular repair cohort (P=0.27). A trend of greater preservation of disk height was observed in the annular repair versus the control cohort 3 months (7.9 vs. 7.27 mm, P=0.08), 6 months (7.81 vs. 7.18 mm, P=0.09), and 12 months (7.63 vs. 6.9 mm, P=0.06) postoperatively. The annular closure cohort reported less leg pain (VAS-LP: 5 vs. 16, P<0.01), back pain (VAS-BP: 13 vs. 22, P<0.05), and disability (Oswestry Disability Index: 16 vs. 22, P<0.05) 1 year postoperatively. Conclusions: Implantation of a novel annular repair device was associated with greater maintenance of disk height and improved 1-year leg pain, back pain, and low-back disability. Recurrent disk herniation did not occur in any patient after annular repair. Closure of annular defect after lumbar discectomy may help preserve the physiological disk function and prevent long-term disk height loss and associated back and leg pain

Outcome of lumbar epidural steroid injection is predicted by assay of a complex of fibronectin and aggrecan from epidural lavage

Study Design.: A single-center, prospective, consecutive case series of patients undergoing epidural lavage before the treatment of radiculopathy due to lumbar disc herniation. Objective.: To determine whether a novel complex of fibronectin and aggrecan predicts clinical response to epidural steroid injection (ESI) for the indication of radiculopathy from lumbar herniated nucleus pulposus (HNP). Summary of Background Data.: ESI for lumbar radiculopathy due to HNP is widely used despite variable effectiveness for this indication. With increased attention aimed at cost containment, it would be beneficial to identify those in whom ESI may be helpful. There are currently no accurate diagnostic tests to predict response to ESI in back pain and sciatica syndromes. We have previously investigated biomarkers of disc degeneration associated with radiculopathy. Methods.: We embarked to determine whether a molecular complex of fibronectin and aggrecan predicts clinical response to ESI for the indication of radiculopathy from HNP. This prospective study was conducted at a single center and included 26 patients with radiculopathic pain and magnetic resonance imaging positive for HNP, who elected ESI. Epidural lavage with physiologic saline was performed immediately before ESI. The lavage fluid was assayed for the fibronectin-aggrecan complex (FAC) by using a heterogeneous sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The results were compared with the interval improvement in the physical component summary (PCS) score of the Medical Outcomes Study Short Form-36 instrument (SF-36) after injection compared with baseline. Results.: The mean improvement from baseline PCS in patients with the FAC was 22.9 (SD, 12.4) and without the complex was 0.64 (SD, 3.97; P \u3c 0.001). Differences in total SF-36 improvement were also highly significant (P \u3c 0.001). The presence of the FAC predicts a clinically significant increase in PCS after lumbar ESI by receiver-operating- characteristic analysis (area under the curve = 0.97; P \u3c 0.001). There was no significant difference in age (P = 0.25), sex (P = 0.84), laterality (P = 0.06), lumbar spinal level (P = 0.75), or payer type (worker\u27s compensation vs. private insurance; P = 0.90) between groups with and without the marker. Conclusion.: A molecular complex of fibronectin and aggrecan predicts response to lumbar ESI for radiculopathy with HNP. The biomarker is accurate, objective, and not affected by demographic or psychosocial variables in this series. Copyright © 2011 Lippincott Williams & Wilkins. Unauthorized reproduction of this article is prohibited

Moral Injury: How It Affects Us and Tools to Combat It

Introduction Moral injury comprises feelings of guilt, despair, shame, and/or helplessness from having one's morals transgressed. Those underrepresented in health care are more likely to experience moral injury arising from micro- and macroaggressions. This workshop was designed for interprofessional health care providers ranging from students to program leadership to raise awareness about moral injury and provide tools to combat it. Methods This 75-minute interactive workshop explored moral injury through a health care lens. It included components of lecture, case-based learning, small-group discussion, and individual reflection. Participants completed anonymous postworkshop evaluations, providing data on satisfaction and intention to change practice. We used descriptive statistics to analyze the quantitative data and applied content analysis to the qualitative data. Results The workshop was presented at two local academic conferences. Data were collected from 34 out of 60 participants, for a response rate of 57%. Ninety-seven percent of participants felt the workshop helped them define and identify moral injury and was a valuable use of their time, as well as indicating they would apply the information learned in their daily life. One hundred percent would recommend the workshop to a friend or colleague. Almost half felt they could implement strategies to address moral injury after participating in the workshop. Discussion This workshop proved to be a valuable tool to define and discuss moral injury. The materials can be adapted to a broad audience

Identification of a complex between fibronectin and aggrecan G3 domain in synovial fluid of patients with painful meniscal pathology

Objectives: We previously described a panel of four cytokines biomarkers in knee synovial fluid for acute knee pain associated with meniscal pathology. The cytokine biomarkers included interferon gamma (IFN-γ), interleukin 6 (IL-6), monocyte chemotactic protein 1 (MCP-1), and macrophage inflammatory protein-1 beta (MIP-1β). Validation studies using other immunologic techniques confirmed the presence of IL-6, MCP-1 and MIP-1β, but not IFN-γ. Therefore we sought the identity of the IFN-γ signal in synovial fluid. Methods: Knee synovial fluid was collected from patients with an acute, painful meniscal injury, as well as asymptomatic volunteers. A combination of high-pressure chromatography, mass spectrometry and immunological techniques were used to enrich and identify the protein components representing the IFN-γ signal. Results: A protein complex of fibronectin and the aggrecan G3 domain was identified in the synovial fluid of patients with a meniscal tear and pain that was absent in asymptomatic controls. This protein complex correlated to the IFN-γ signal. A novel enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was developed to specifically identify the complex in synovial fluid. Conclusions: We have identified a protein complex of fibronectin and aggrecan G3 domain that is a candidate biomarker for pain associated with meniscal injury. © 2010 The Canadian Society of Clinical Chemists

Lumbar Spine: Reliability of MR Imaging Findings

Purpose: To characterize the inter- and intraobserver variability of qualitative, non–disk contour degenerative findings of the lumbar spine at magnetic resonance (MR) imaging