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Study Design: Level III retrospective study. Purpose: We investigated the impact of short-segment lumbar fusion on the restoration of global sagittal alignment and the correlations between spino-pelvic parameters and clinical outcomes. Overview of Literature: Sagittal imbalance leads to energy consumption and pain in maintaining a standing position. For adult spinal deformity, it is critical to create optimal lumbar lordosis (LL) in order to achieve restoration of sagittal imbalance. However, surgeons do not pay attention to correcting LL in short-segment lumbar fusion. Methods: A total of 69 patients with transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (TLIF) for degenerative spinal disease were evaluated with a minimum 2-year follow-up. All patients underwent TLIF with hyper-lordotic angle cages to achieve higher LL. Radiological spino-pelvic parameters including sagittal vertical axis (SVA) and clinical outcomes using the Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) and Numeric Rating Scale (NRS) were evaluated. Results: The average LL was 35.8°±9.9° before surgery, 42.3°±9.3° 1 year after surgery, and 40.3°±10.2° 2 years after surgery (p <0.01). The average SVA was 43.1±6.2 mm before surgery, 21.2±4.9 mm 1 year after surgery, and 34.0±4.7 mm 2 years after surgery (p <0.01). The average LL and SVA improved in two- or three-segment fusion, but not in one-segment fusion. The correlation between ΔLL and ΔSVA was significant in all segment fusions. The correlation between ΔLL and ΔSVA was more significant at the L4–5 and L5–S1 segments than at L3–4. ODI was significantly correlated with SVA (p <0.05). NRS showed no correlation with the radiological parameters. Conclusions: Two- or three-segment lumbar fusion using hyper-lordotic angle cages improved LL and SVA. A significant correlation between the correction of LL and SVA was found. Higher correction of LL using hyper-lordotic angle cages is thus recommended in short-segment lumbar fusion, since postoperative improvements of SVA significantly affect clinical outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Study Design: Retrospective study. Purpose: To investigate the influence of fat infiltration at low back extensor muscles on osteoporotic vertebral fracture. Overview of Literature: In persons with stronger back muscles, the risk of osteoporotic vertebral fractures will likely be lower than in those persons with weaker back muscles. However, the degree of influence of fat infiltration of the back extensor muscle on osteoporotic vertebral fracture remains controversial. Methods: Two hundred and thirty-seven patients who had undergone lumbar spine magnetic resonance imaging and bone mineral density (BMD) were enrolled in this study. The amount of low back extensor muscle was determined using the pseudocoloring technique on an axial view of the L3 level. The patients were divided into two groups: osteoporotic vertebral fracture group (group A) and non-fracture group (group B). The amount of low back extensor muscle is compared with BMD, degenerative change of disc, osteophyte grade of facet joint and promontory angle to reveal the association between these factors. Results: A negative correlation is found between age and the amount of low back extensor muscle (p =0.001). The amount of low back extensor muscle in group A and group B was 60.3%±14.5% and 64.2%±9.3% respectively, thus showing a significantly smaller amount of low back extensor muscle in the osteoporotic vertebral fracture group (p =0.015). Conclusions: Fat infiltration of low back extensor muscle was increased in osteoporotic vertebral fracture patients. Therefore, fat infiltration of low back extensor muscle in an elderly person may be a risk factor of osteoporotic vertebral fracture. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]