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[Introduction] Fragility fractures of the pelvic ring are increasing in the elderly population. A percutaneous sacroiliac screw is one of the methods used to fix of the posterior pelvic element with less dislocation. It is advantageous for elderly because minimally invasive insertion is possible; although there are few reports studying the Japanese population. Here, we investigated the Japanese sacral morphology and examined the feasibility of the percutaneous transiliac transsacral screw method. [Materials and Method] Seventy patients with osteoporotic vertebral fractures were included. For the measurement, CT images were analyzed using Zedhip (LEXI) based on the method of Goetzen. The column between S1 and S2 was classified into three groups, the ascending type, horizontal type, descending type, and the presence or absence of a notch was investigated. [Result] There were many ascending types in the center of S1, a few descending types, and many patients with a notch in the S2. There were many ascending types in middle of the S1 and many patients with a notch in middle of the S2 and lower quarter. [Conclusion] There is a tendency that indicates TITS screw penetration may be difficult in the S1, and it is necessary to consider the possibility of insertion via preoperative CT planning. Adaptation of the percutaneous TITS screw fixation technique for the Japanese elderly population with osteoporotic vertebral fractures should be carefully considered.

Although strict compliance with brace wearing is important for patients with scoliosis, no study has analyzed the most ideal conditions for temperature logger accuracy. We evaluated the optimal brace position and threshold temperature for the logger and determined the reliability of its measurements in patients with scoliosis.Five temperature loggers were embedded into holes generated at five different brace positions (right scapula, right chest, left chest, lumbar, and abdomen) within the brace. We compared measurement errors at each position using different threshold temperatures to determine the ideal anatomical position and threshold temperature. Under the ideal conditions determined, we calculated the reliability of the temperature logger readings in three healthy participants.Measurement errors (i.e., differences between the actual and logger-recorded brace wearing times) were the lowest at the 28°C and 30°C threshold temperatures when the logger was positioned at the left chest and at 30°C at the abdomen. Among these three temperature/position combinations, we considered the abdomen to be the least affected by the shape of the brace; thus, the placement of the temperature logger at the abdomen using a threshold temperature of 30°C was the most ideal condition.The placement of the temperature logger at the abdomen using a threshold temperature of 30°C was the most ideal condition, with the reliability of the logger being 97.9%±0.9%. This information might be useful for scoliosis management teams, and this temperature logger provides a valuable clinical tool.

OBJECTIVE The objective of this paper was to determine the interobserver reliability and intraobserver reproducibility of the AO Spine Upper Cervical Injury Classification System based on surgeon experience (< 5 years, 5–10 years, 10–20 years, and > 20 years) and surgical subspecialty (orthopedic spine surgery, neurosurgery, and "other" surgery). METHODS A total of 11,601 assessments of upper cervical spine injuries were evaluated based on the AO Spine Upper Cervical Injury Classification System. Reliability and reproducibility scores were obtained twice, with a 3-week time interval. Descriptive statistics were utilized to examine the percentage of accurately classified injuries, and Pearson’s chi-square or Fisher’s exact test was used to screen for potentially relevant differences between study participants. Kappa coefficients (κ) determined the interobserver reliability and intraobserver reproducibility. RESULTS The intraobserver reproducibility was substantial for surgeon experience level (< 5 years: 0.74 vs 5–10 years: 0.69 vs 10–20 years: 0.69 vs > 20 years: 0.70) and surgical subspecialty (orthopedic spine: 0.71 vs neurosurgery: 0.69 vs other: 0.68). Furthermore, the interobserver reliability was substantial for all surgical experience groups on assessment 1 (< 5 years: 0.67 vs 5–10 years: 0.62 vs 10–20 years: 0.61 vs > 20 years: 0.62), and only surgeons with > 20 years of experience did not have substantial reliability on assessment 2 (< 5 years: 0.62 vs 5–10 years: 0.61 vs 10–20 years: 0.61 vs > 20 years: 0.59). Orthopedic spine surgeons and neurosurgeons had substantial intraobserver reproducibility on both assessment 1 (0.64 vs 0.63) and assessment 2 (0.62 vs 0.63), while other surgeons had moderate reliability on assessment 1 (0.43) and fair reliability on assessment 2 (0.36). CONCLUSIONS The international reliability and reproducibility scores for the AO Spine Upper Cervical Injury Classification System demonstrated substantial intraobserver reproducibility and interobserver reliability regardless of surgical experience and spine subspecialty. These results support the global application of this classification system.

Dynamic kinematic evaluation of spino-pelvic alignment during gait using three-dimensional (3D) motion analysis has been proposed for adult spinal thoracolumbar deformity. That is because conventional full-spine radiographs cannot be used to evaluate dynamic factors. However, dynamic changes in spino-pelvic alignment during gait for dropped head syndrome (DHS) have not been studied using this approach.This study aimed to assess the dynamic changes in spinal-pelvic alignment during gait in patients with DHS using 3D motion analysis.Retrospective review of collected radiographic and kinematic data.Nineteen DHS patients with neck pain and/or anterior gaze disturbance.Static spino-pelvic radiological alignment, dynamic spino-pelvic kinematic parameters and electromyogram (EMG) data.Center of gravity of the head - C7 sagittal vertical axis (CGH-C7 SVA), C2-C7 SVA, T1 slope; cervical lordosis (CL), C7SVA, thoracic kyphosis (TK), lumbar lordosis (LL), pelvic tilt (PT) and pelvic incidence (PI) were assessed using full-spine radiographs in a standing position to assess static spino-pelvic alignment. The 3D gait motion analysis was conducted during gait. Dynamic kinematic parameters were divided into spinal segments: cervical (C-), thoracic (T-), lumbar (L-) and pelvis (P-). Each spinal segment coronal angle to the pelvic angle, each spinal segment sagittal angle to the pelvic angle and pelvic sagittal angle to the horizontal axis were assessed as dynamic spino-pelvic kinematic parameters. Trunk and lower limb muscle activity during gait were assessed using wireless surface EMG analysis. Dynamic spino-pelvic kinematic variables and muscle activity were compared between the first walking lap and the final lap during gait analysis. The change in dynamic kinematic parameters was correlated with static radiological alignment and electromyographic muscular activity change.Cervical and thoracic anterior tilt increased significantly after an extended period of walking, indicating that dropped head worsened during gait. An increase of cervical anterior tilt during walking was significantly associated with decreased muscle activity in the cervical paraspinal muscles (r=-0.463, P.05) and latissimus dorsi (r=-0.763, p.01). Furthermore, significant correlations were found between a change in thoracic sagittal angle to pelvic angle and C7SVA (r=0.683, p.01) and LL (r=-0.475, p.05). This means that a larger C7SVA and smaller LL were associated with increased thoracic anterior tilt during gait.The 3D motion analysis for DHS showed that cervical and thoracic anterior tilt significantly increased after extended walking, resulting in worsening of dropped head. Decreased muscle activity of the neck extensor muscles during gait suggests insufficient neck extensor muscle endurance, which was associated with increased cervical anterior tilt. A greater increase in the thoracic anterior tilt during gait was found in DHS patients with a larger C7SVA and smaller LL due to insufficient thoracolumbar compensation for the dropped head. Correction of the cervical spine alone would not be sufficient to improve dropped head in cases with increased thoracic anterior tilt during gait. The results suggest that C7SVA and LL are crucial parameters in the surgical strategy for DHS.

Although lateral vertebral translation is associated with inducing curve progression and pain, no study has analyzed risk factors for lateral slip in patients with residual adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS). This study aimed to investigate risk factors for lateral slip in patients with residual AIS.We included 42 preoperative patients with residual AIS with a thoracolumbar/lumbar (TL/L) curve (3 male, 39 female; age 41.9±18.2 years, TL/L Cobb angle 55.5±10.0°). All patients were20 years and had been diagnosed with AIS during their adolescence. Lateral slip was defined as more than a 6-mm slip on coronal CT images.Patients were divided into slip (n=22) and nonslip (n=20) groups. Significant differences were observed in age, TL/L Cobb angle, TL/L curve flexibility, lumbar lordosis, thoracolumbar kyphosis, apical vertebral rotation, apical vertebral translation, and L3 and L4 tilt between the groups. Multivariate analyses and receiver operating characteristic curves found that only older age was a significant risk factor for lateral slip (odds ratio: 1.214; 95% confidence interval: 1.047-1.407;Older age, especially37 years, is a risk factor for lateral slip in patients with residual AIS. These findings suggest that surgery for residual AIS should be considered before patients are in their mid-30s to avoid lateral translation.

Study design A retrospective, single-center, observational study. Objective The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence and the characteristics of AIS patients with concomitant lumbar spondylolysis. Summary of background data The prevalence and features of lumbar spondylolysis in patients with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) are unclear. Methods We included 357 patients with AIS who underwent correction and fusion surgery. Preoperative CT images were used to assess the existence of lumbar spondylolysis. Cobb angles of the curves, parameters of spinal alignment, Lenke classification, and the presence of low back pain were compared between patients with and without spondylolysis. Results Of the patients included in the study, 6.1% had lumbar spondylolysis. They had significantly greater lumbar lordosis (LL) and sacral slope (SS) than those without lumbar spondylolysis. Logistic regression analyses and receiver-operating characteristic curves showed that LL was a significant risk factor (odds ratio: 1.059; 95% confidence interval: 1.018-1.103; P = 0.005) of associating lumbar spondylolysis with a cut off value of 56.5 degrees (area under the curve [AUC]: 0.689; sensitivity = 63.6%, specificity = 71.0%). Conclusion We should be vigilant for lumbar spondylolysis in AIS patients whose LL and SS are large, especially with LL larger than 56.5 degrees.Level of Evidence: 3.

Background Stress from brace treatment in patients with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) can deteriorate their quality of life. A Japanese version of the Bad Sobernheim Stress Questionnaire–Brace (JBSSQ–brace) was developed to assess the stress from brace treatment for Japanese patients with AIS. However, the specific factors causing stress under brace treatment have remained unknown. Method We enrolled 69 consecutive Japanese patients with AIS. Stress from brace treatment was assessed by JBSSQ–brace and Scoliosis Research Society–22 (SRS–22) instruments. The correlations of JBSSQ–brace with SRS–22 score, patient demographics and Cobb angle were analyzed by Spearman's rank correlation. Exploratory factor analysis was used to determine the psychological factor causing stress from brace treatment. Results JBSSQ–brace score was correlated with total score of SRS–22, self-image and mental health domain, but not age, degree of curvature, or other domains of the SRS–22. Factor analysis detected one underlying factor, which was more related to Questions 4 or 5 with the factor loadings of 0.8 than Questions 1 or 6 with loadings of 0.65. Conclusion Stress from brace treatment was not associated with age, spinal curve severity, pain, or satisfaction of treatment. Exploratory factor analysis suggested “anxious feeling about how we are perceived by others” induces the stress from brace treatment in Japanese patients with AIS.

Background Patients with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) under brace treatment perceive stress, not only from scoliosis, but from wearing the brace itself. The Bad Sobernheim Stress Questionnaire–Brace (BSSQbrace) was developed to assess the level of psychological stress induced by brace treatment for AIS. However, a Japanese version of BSSQbrace had not yet been developed. Methods We developed a Japanese adaptation of the Bad Sobernheim Stress Questionnaire–Brace (JBSSQ–brace) through a guideline-based process to adapt assessment of the psychological effect of brace treatment for AIS in Japanese patients. We administered the JBSSQ-brace to 71 patients with AIS under brace treatment in our clinic. Internal consistency and reproducibility were analyzed using Cronbach's alpha and a test–retest method. Results We included 44 patients that responded adequately. JBSSQ–brace achieved excellent internal consistency (Cronbach's alpha = 0.84 for the first questionnaire, and 0.87 for the second) and substantial reproducibility (interclass correlation coefficient = 0.75). The average score for JBSSQ–brace was 16.5 and 16.8, and almost 40% of AIS patients felt a moderate-to-high stress from brace treatment. Conclusions JBSSQ–brace is an effective instrument with which to evaluate the stress level from brace treatment in Japanese patients with AIS.