Healthcare News
Location of spinal correction influences risk of proximal junctional kyphosis development
Source: Science Daily
A new study reports that PJK risk following lumbar spinal fusion depends on the level of the spine fused. Specifically, the authors – who include members of the International Spine Study Group (ISSG) from multiple academic centers – found that fusing the lower portion of lumbar spine results in a decreased risk of PJK.Spinal cord injury patients face many serious health problems besides paralysis
Source: Newswise
Spinal cord patients also are at higher risk for cardiovascular disease; pneumonia; life-threatening blood clots; bladder, bowel and sexual dysfunction; constipation and other gastrointestinal problems; pressure ulcers; and chronic pain, according to a report published in the journal Current Neurology and Neuroscience Reports.Generating improvement in spinal cord injuries
Source: Medical Xpress
A new therapy to treat spinal cord injuries in people who have lost all motor and sensory function below the injury site shows additional motor function improvement at 6-months and 9-months following treatment with 10 million AST-OPC1. The positive efficacy results from an ongoing research study were announced on Jan. 24 in a conference held by Asterias Biotherapeutics, Inc., the biotechnology company that manufactures AST-OPC1.New trial may revolutionise treatment of spinal cord injury patients
Source: Medical Xpress
Queensland researchers are launching a world-first clinical trial aimed at improving recovery from spinal cord injuries. In the study, led by The University of Queensland and The Princess Alexandra (PA) Hospital, a new anti-inflammatory drug will be given to participants within hours of spinal trauma in an effort to minimise tissue damage.New system to detect spinal deformity
Source: Science Daily
Researchers have developed a symmetry-recognition system for the surface of the human back that can three-dimensionally detect the early stages of idiopathic scoliosis, a type of spinStudy links chronic low back pain and illicit drug use in patients in community setting
Source: Healio
Adults with chronic low back pain in the United States were more likely to use marijuana, cocaine, heroin and methamphetamine and were also more likely to have a current prescription for pain-relieving opioid analgesics than adults without chronic low back pain, according to investigators.Surgical repair of phrenic nerve injury improves breathing
Source: Science Daily
In people with breathing difficulties caused by phrenic nerve injury, surgical reconstruction of the nerve can lead to significant improvement in breathing and an increase in regular physical activities, say researchers.Many back pain patients get limited relief from opioids and worry about taking them, survey shows
Source: Science Daily
Millions of people take opioids for chronic back pain, but many of them get limited relief while experiencing side effects and worrying about the stigma associated with taking them, suggests research.Tai chi can help relieve chronic neck pain, study shows
Source: Science Daily
Tai Chi, a low-impact mind-body exercise, can be as effective as neck exercises in relieving persistent neck pain, according to results of randomized controlled trial.Potential new target for treatment of spinal muscular atrophy discovered
Source: Medical Xpress
For the first time, scientists found that in spinal muscular atrophy (SMA), the affected nerve cells that control muscle movement, or motor neurons, have defects in their mitochondria, which generate energy used by the cell. Impaired mitochondrial function and structure in motor neurons were discovered before symptoms occurred, suggesting a role in disease development. These findings, published in Human Molecular Genetics, point to new possibilities for targeted therapy for SMA.
