Osteoarthrosis of the Facet Joints Resulting From Anular Rim Lesions in Sheep Lumbar Discs
Robert J. Moore, Tania N. Crotti, Orso L. Osti, Robert D. Fraser, and Barrie Vernon-Roberts

Facet joints from sheep with surgically induced anular rim lesions showed histologic features similar to those in humans. Osteoarthrosis occurred in response to disc degeneration at the same spinal level, but there was a lag in the appearance of major changes. There was evidence that the rim lesion also affected facet joints at adjacent nonsurgical levels, showing its broad influence on the biomechanical behavior of the spine.

Headmaster Collar Restricts Rheumatoid Atlantoaxial Subluxation
Markku Kauppi, Marko H. Neva, and Hannu Kautiainen

The ability of a new open-type collar to restrict rheumatoid atlantoaxial subluxation was tested and found favorable. This collar is a useful tool in the conservative treatment of simple unstable atlantoaxial subluxation.

Outcomes of Surgical Treatment for Cervical Myelopathy in Patients More Than 75 Years of Age
Yoshiro Matsuda, Taihoh Shibata, Sadaaki Oki, Yoshiyuki Kawatani, Naohiko Mashima, and Hisashi Oishi

Clinical features and surgical results of compressive cervical myelopathy in patients more than 75 years of age were retrospectively investigated. All patients who had required assistance in daily activities before surgery became independent after surgery. Surgical decompression for cervical myelopathy appears to be effective, even in patients more than 75 years of age.

Spinal Growth and a Histologic Evaluation of the Risser Grade in Idiopathic Scoliosis
M. H. H. Noordeen, Fares S. Haddad, Michael A. Edgar, and Jean Pringle

The correlation between the Risser grade and vertebral endplate growth in patients with idiopathic scoliosis is unclear. Superior and inferior endplates were harvested from 34 patients and examined histologically for evidence of residual growth. The findings of significant endplate growth, even in patients with Risser Grade 4, make it unlikely that the crankshaft phenomenon is caused purely by longitudinal spinal growth.

The Validity in Persons With Spinal Cord Injury of a Self-Reported Functional Measure Derived From the Functional Independence Measure
Helen Hoenig, Laurence G. Branch, Lauren McIntyre, Jennifer Hoff, and Ronnie D. Horner

The concurrent and construct validities of a Self-Reported Functional Measure (SRFM) derived from the Functional Independence Measure were evaluated. Self-reported motor impairment and use of personal assistance were compared with score on the SRFM among 6361 patients with spinal cord injury who responded to the Spinal Cord Dysfunction National Veterans Survey.

Interaction Between Voluntary and Postural Motor Commands During Perturbed Lifting
Lars I. E. Oddsson, Thomas Persson, Andrew G. Cresswell, and Alf Thorstensson

Participants were subjected to perturbation with the feet in forward, backward, or neutral positions, while performing a voluntary lifting movement. During backward perturbations, the back muscle electromyogram displayed erratic behavior, with large fluctuations in amplitude indicating a rapid switch between voluntary and postural motor commands. It is proposed that this conflicting motor behavior may be a contributor to slip-and-fall-related back injuries.

Patient Outcomes After Decompression and Instrumented Posterior Spinal Fusion for Degenerative Spondylolisthesis
Sean E. Nork, Serena S. Hu, Kimberly L. Workman, Paul A. Glazer, and David S. Bradford

Patient outcomes after decompression and fusion with instrumentation for degenerative spondylolisthesis were measured with a custom-designed functional questionnaire and the widely used SF-36 questionnaire. Outcomes appeared favorable, when compared with those in published population studies of normal patients and those with back pain determined by the SF-36.

The Outcome of Lumbar Discectomy in Elite Athletes
Jeffrey C. Wang, Matthew S. Shapiro, Joshua D. Hatch, Jason Knight, Frederick J. Dorey, and Rick B. Delamarter

The outcomes in 14 elite athletes undergoing lumbar disc excision were assessed by the SF-36 validated questionnaire and compared with outcomes in age-matched controls and population norms. All procedures were successful in relieving pain. Nine of 10 patients with single-level microdiscectomy returned to competition, but none with two-level procedures was able to return to competition.

Cervical Spondylodiscitis After Removal of a Fishbone: A Case Report
André van Ooij, Johannes J. Manni, Emile A. M. Beuls, and Geert H. I. M. Walenkamp

Cervical spondylodiscitis C2-C3 developed in a 68-year-old woman, diagnosed 9 weeks after the removal of a lodged fishbone. There were no positive cultures from tissue taken at direct laryngoscopy. Serial magnetic resonance imaging investigations were useful in showing the extent of the infection and of the prevertebral swelling. Conservative treatment, consisting of prolonged antibiotic treatment and immobilization of the cervical spine, resulted in a cure of the spondylodiscitis. In the literature, only one mention was found of this unusual complication from a lodged fishbone.

Spontaneous Regression of Periodontoid Pannus Mass in Psoriatic Atlantoaxial Subluxation: Case Report
Kang Lu and Tao-Chen Lee

A report of a rare case of cervical myelopathy associated with psoriatic atlantoaxial spondyloarthropathy. The patient was treated with posterior atlantoaxial fusion and fixation. The relation between atlantoaxial instability and periodontoid pannus formation is emphasized.

Spondyloptosis of the Cervical Spine in Neurofibromatosis: A Case Report
Jan Goffin and Dieter Grob

A case report involving a 41-year-old woman with neurofibromatosis and cervical spondyloptosis at C5-C7. Decompression of the spinal cord, correction of the deformity, and stabilization were achieved by a one-stage anterior and posterior approach.