The older patient has unique characteristics that require differentiation from that of the archetypical adult, such as atypical presentation and response to disease and frailty from comorbidities and chronic disease. Furthermore, healthcare providers of the elderly must commonly focus efforts on maintenance or improvement in function and quality of life as opposed to the classic intent to cure disease. This population trend has inspired modern spine surgeons to pursue and develop a mounting body of evidence and research on the aging spine and the challenges that this patient population presents, both medically and economically. These investiga- tions have centered around three major spinal disorders that afflict the aging population: osteoporotic fractures, degener- ative scoliosis, and degenerative spondylolisthesis.
Adam S. Kanter, M.D., Ashok R. Asthagiri, M.D., and Christopher I. Shaffrey, M.D.
Clinical Neurosurgery • Volume 54, 2007

Physicians assistant course notes on radiculopathy, myelopathy, neck ROM, neck hyperextension and hyperflexion injuries, vulnerable positions of the neck in rear end collision, initial treatment of cervical soft tissue injury, features & symptoms of acute cervical disk herniation (CDH), physical exam in cervical disk herniation, treatment and surgical indications in CDH, thoracic spine problems, spinal stenosis, three-joint complex degeneration; sacroiliac joint disease; lumbar disk herniations; other causes of lumbar pain;red flags for fracture, tumour, infection & cauda equina syndrome; physical exam findings; percussion pain over the spine; straight leg raising test; Waddell's non-organic physical signs; indications for plain x-rays; indications for blood tests; indications for CT and/or MRI; medication; activity limitations; avoiding back irritation;

More than eighty illustrations, extensive glossary, medication overriew and explanatory information about all aspects of spine health – from Pilates to Pedicle screws - about all aspects of back pain, neck pain and spine surgery. The site is based on a book just published by Oxford University Press, and both are written by one of the worlds leading experts in spine care, Aaron G. Filler, MD, PhD.

Revision Notes from FreeOrtho

Respect for patient autonomy is an important ethical principle for medical practitioners; however, previous investigators have reported inconsistent attitudes amongst practitioners towards respect for patient autonomy. This study in empirical ethics used qualitative methods to investigate GPs' attitudes towards respect for patient autonomy in consultations for low back pain. Wendy A Rogers Department of General Practice, Flinders University of South Australia

Radiology illustration, short notes and references.

Spinal Orthotics Last Updated: September 14, 2005
Synonyms and related keywords: orthosis, orthotic device, brace, immobilizer
Contents: Introduction Cervical Orthotics Head Cervical Orthotics Cervical Thoracic Orthotics Halo Device Thoracolumbar Orthotics Lumbosacral Orthotics Bracing For Scoliosis Pictures Bibliography

Paget’s disease (PD) is a chronic metabolically active bone disease, characterized by a disturbance in bone modelling and remodelling due to an increase in osteoblastic and osteoclastic activity. The vertebra is the second most commonly affected site. This article reviews the various spinal pathomechanisms and osseous dynamics involved in producing the varied imaging appearances and their clinical relevance. Advanced imaging of osseous, articular and bone marrow manifestations of PD in all the vertebral components are presented. Pagetic changes often result in clinical symptoms including back pain, spinal stenosis and neural dysfunction. Various pathological complications due to PD involvement result in these clinical symptoms. Recognition of the imaging manifestations of spinal PD and the potential complications that cause the clinical symptoms enables accurate assessment of patients prior to appropriate management.
Keywords: Paget’s disease, Vertebra, Spinal stenosis, Magnetic resonance imaging, Computed tomography
C. Dell’Atti, V. N. Cassar-Pullicino, R. K. Lalam, B. J. Tins, and P. N.M. Tyrrell Skeletal Radiol. 2007 July; 36(7): 609–626.