Age-related changes in the spinal column result in a degenerative cascade known as spondylosis.

Low back pain as a result of degenerative disc disease imparts a large socioeconomic impact on the health care system. Traditional concepts for treatment of lumbar disc degeneration have aimed at symptomatic relief by limiting motion in the lumbar spine, but novel treatment strategies involving stem cells, growth factors, and gene therapy have the theoretical potential to prevent, slow, or even reverse disc degeneration. Understanding the pathophysiological basis of disc degeneration is essential for the development of treatment strategies that target the underlying mechanisms of disc degeneration rather than the downstream symptom of pain. Such strategies ideally aim to induce disc regeneration or to replace the degenerated disc. However, at present, treatment options for degenerative disc disease remain suboptimal, and development and outcomes of novel treatment options currently have to be considered unpredictable.

OBJECT The unique and complex biomechanics of the atlantoaxial junction make the treatment of C1–2 instability a challenge. Several screw-based constructs have been developed for atlantoaxial fixation. The biomechanical properties of these constructs have been assessed in numerous cadaver studies. The purpose of this study was to systematically review the literature on the biomechanical stability achieved using various C1–2 screw constructs and to perform a meta-analysis of the available data. METHODS A systematic search of PubMed through July 1, 2013, was conducted using the following key words and Boolean operators: “atlanto [all fields]” AND “axial [all fields]” OR “C1–C2” AND “biomechanic.” Cadaveric studies on atlantoaxial fixation using screw constructs were included. Data were collected on instability models, fixation techniques, and range of motion (ROM). Forest plots were constructed to summarize the data and compare the biomechanical stability achieved. RESULTS Fifteen articles met the inclusion criteria. An average (± SD) of 7.4 ± 1.8 cadaveric specimens were used in each study (range 5–12). The most common injury models were odontoidectomy (53.3%) and cervical ligament transection (26.7%). The most common spinal motion segments potted for motion analysis were occiput–C4 (46.7%) and occiput–C3 (33.3%). Four screw constructs (C1 lateral mass–C2 pedicle screw [C1LM–C2PS], C1–2 transarticular screw [C1–C2TA], C1 lateral mass–C2 translaminar screw [C1LM-C2TL], and C1 lateral mass–C2 pars screw [C1LM–C2 pars]) were assessed for biomechanical stability in axial rotation, flexion/extension, and lateral bending, for a total of 12 analyses. The C1LM–C2TL construct did not achieve significant lateral bending stabilization (p = 0.70). All the other analyses showed significant stabilization (p < 0.001 for each analysis). Significant heterogeneity was found among the reported stabilities achieved in the analyses (p < 0.001; I2 > 80% for all significant analyses). The C1LM–C2 pars construct achieved significantly less axial rotation stability (average ROM 36.27° [95% CI 34.22°–38.33°]) than the 3 other constructs (p < 0.001; C1LM–C2PS average ROM 49.26° [95% CI 47.66°–50.87°], C1–C2TA average ROM 47.63° [95% CI 45.22°–50.04°], and C1LM–C2TL average ROM 53.26° [95% CI 49.91°–56.61°]) and significantly more flexion/extension stability (average ROM 13.45° [95% CI 10.53°–16.37°]) than the 3 other constructs (p < 0.001; C1LM–C2PS average ROM 9.02° [95% CI 8.25°–9.80°], C1–C2TA average ROM 7.39° [95% CI 5.60°–9.17°], and C1LM–C2TL average ROM 7.81° [95% CI 6.93°–8.69°]). The C1–C2TA (average ROM 5.49° [95% CI 3.89°–7.09°]) and C1LM–C2 pars (average ROM 4.21° [95% CI 2.19°–6.24°]) constructs achieved significantly more lateral bending stability than the other constructs (p < 0.001; C1LM–C2PS average ROM 1.51° [95% CI 1.23°–1.78°]; C1LM–C2TL average ROM −0.07° [95% CI −0.44° to 0.29°]). CONCLUSIONS Meta-analysis of the existing literature showed that all constructs provided significant stabilization in all axes of rotation, except for the C1LM–C2TL construct in lateral bending. There were significant differences in stabilization achieved in each axis of motion by the various screw constructs. These results underline the various strengths and weaknesses in biomechanical stabilization of different screw constructs. There was significant heterogeneity in the data reported across the studies. Standardized spinal motion segment configuration and injury models may provide more consistent and reliable results.

Insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) promotes myocyte proliferation and can reverse cardiac abnormalities when it is administered in the early fetal stage. Supplementation of a mouse embryonic stem cell (ESC) suspension with IGF-1 might enhance cellular engraftment and host organ-specific differentiation after injection in the area of acute myocardial injury. In the study reported here, we sought to enhance the restorative effect of ESCs in the injured heart by adding IGF-1 to the injected cell population. Green fluorescent protein (GFP)-labeled sv129 ESCs (2.5 ✕ 10 5 ) were injected into the ischemic area after left anterior descending (LAD) artery ligation in BalbC mice. Recombinant mouse IGF-1 (25 ng) was added to the cell suspension prior to the injection (n = 5).

Spondylotic degeneration in the cervical spine may result in static and/or dynamic spinal cord compression that can lead to the associated signs and symptoms of myelopathy. Clinical examination combined with appropriate imaging studies help to confirm the diagnosis. Classic natural history and basic science studies suggest a pernicious course of demyelination and neurologic decline in a large subset of patients. The characterization of disease severity and progression in patients with cervical spondylotic myelopathy has improved in recent years with imaging and data from prospective and multicenter studies. Additionally, advances in surgical techniques, implants, and imaging modalities have improved the identification of surgical candidates with cervical spondylotic myelopathy and associated treatment strategies. Surgical treatment, via an anterior, posterior, or a combined approach, is primarily intended to arrest neurologic progression, although it can improve function in many patients. Alignment and the characteristics and location of spinal cord compression help determine the ideal surgical approach. Distinct complications associated with each technique may be mitigated by appropriate patient selection and should be discussed preoperatively to ensure informed decision making.