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Background: Sagittal spino-pelvic malalignment in patients with chronic low back pain (CLBP) have been reported in the past, which may also affect cervical spine lesions. The purpose of this study is to investigate the cervical alignment in patients with CLBP., Method: Of the patients who visited an orthopedic specialist due to low back pain lasting more than three months, 121 cases (average 71.5-years-old, 46 male and 75 female) with whole standing spinal screening radiographs were reviewed (CLBP group). Cervical parameters included cervical lordosis (CL), C2-C7 sagittal vertical axis (C2-7 SVA), and the T1 slope minus CL (T1S-CL). Cervical spine deformity was defined as C2-7 SVA >4 cm, CL <0°, or T1S-CL ≧20°. We compared the cervical alignment of these patients with 121 age and gender matched volunteers (control group)., Results: The prevalence of cervical spine deformity was significantly higher in the CLBP group than in the control group (20.7% vs. 10.7%, P = 0.034). The mean CL was smaller in the CLBP group than in the control group (16.1° vs. 21.4°, P = 0.002). The mean C2-7 SVA was 17.6 mm vs. 18.7 mm in the CLBP group and in the control group, respectively (P = 0.817). The mean T1S-CL was larger in the CLBP group than in the control group (9.1° vs. 3.5°, P < 0.001). Multivariate analysis showed that people with CLBP were more likely to have cervical deformities than people without CLBP (odds ratio 2.16, 95% confidence interval 1.006 to 4.637)., Conclusions: This study results suggest that people with CLBP present with worse cervical sagittal alignment and higher prevalence of cervical spine deformities than age and gender matched volunteers with no CLBP. This means CLBP impacts cervical spine lesions negatively., Level of Evidence: Ⅳ., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest HA, KS, YU, TT, KH, HH, EW, KY, TH, GY, TY, TB, HU, TY, KI, YW and YM have nothing to disclose., (Copyright © 2020 The Japanese Orthopaedic Association. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Study Design: Retrospective longitudinal cohort study., Objective: This study aimed to elucidate factors affecting the likelihood of achieving minimum clinically important difference (MCID) to patient-reported outcomes defined by the Scoliosis Research Society-22r (SRS-22r) among patients with adult spinal deformity (ASD) who underwent extensive corrective fusion surgery from the thoracic spine to the pelvis., Summary of Background Data: Achieving MCID for SRS-22r parameters was a measure of surgical efficacy. Patient characteristics and surgical and radiographic factors that affect the likelihood of achieving MCID for SRS-22r parameters are unknown., Methods: Data from patients with ASD who underwent extensive corrective fusion surgery from the thoracic spine to the pelvis during 2010 to 2016 were retrospectively reviewed. Data from a total of 167 patients with ≥2 years of follow-up were included. Multivariate analysis was used to investigate factors associated with the likelihood of achieving MCID for each of the SRS-22r domains (Function, Pain, Subtotal) 2 years after surgery. The following MCID values were used: 0.90 for Function, 0.85 for Pain, and 1.05 for the Subtotal., Results: MCID achievement rate was 36.5% for Function, 46.1% for Pain, and 44.3% for the Subtotal domain. In multivariate analysis, preoperative SRS-22r Function (odds ratio [OR] = 0.204, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.105-0.396) increased the likelihood of achieving MCID for SRS-22r Function. Preoperative SRS-22r Subtotal (OR = 0.211, 95% CI, 0.107-0.413), preoperative pelvic tilt (OR = 1.072, 95% CI, 1.012-1.136), preoperative pelvic incidence minus lumbar lordosis (OR = 0.965, 95% CI, 0.934-0.997), and postoperative sagittal vertical axis (OR = 0.985, 95% CI, 0.974-0.995) affected the likelihood of achieving MCID for the SRS-22r Subtotal., Conclusion: Patients with poor preoperative health-related quality of life were more likely to achieve improvement in SRS-22r parameters after extensive corrective fusion surgery for ASD. Achieving postoperative sagittal alignment increased the likelihood of achieving MCID for the SRS-22r Subtotal domain.Level of Evidence: 3., (Copyright © 2021 Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc. All rights reserved.)

Study Design: Four-year, longitudinal cohort study., Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of original spinal shape on incidental vertebral fractures (VFs) and to identify the influence of changes in pre- and post-fracture geometrical spinal shape., Summary of Background Data: Clinical evidence demonstrates that VFs cause spinal kyphosis, morbidities, and deteriorating quality of life in elderly people. However, knowledge of geometrical spinal shapes that affect incidental VFs is limited., Methods: Three hundred seventeen volunteers underwent whole spine radiography as part of a health screening in both 2012 and 2016. We extracted volunteers with incidental VF in 2016. Sex- and age-matched volunteers without VF were enrolled as controls. Baseline demographic variables, geometrical spinal shape, and spinopelvic parameters were compared between the two groups. In volunteers with incidental VF, we investigated the association between baseline spinal shape and post-fracture shape., Results: Twenty-seven volunteers (12 men; mean age 75.4 ± 5.4 and 15 women; mean age 71.6 ± 7.9) with VF were enrolled, and 175 volunteers (48 men, 127 women) without VF were selected as controls. In men with VF, the thoracic kyphosis apex was located significantly more posteriorly and caudally than in those without VF. In women with VF, the lordosis apex was located significantly more posteriorly and caudally than in those without VF. After fractures occurring above the inflexion vertebra, the low anterior apex spine (L5) changed its geometrical shape in that the posterior apex and the inflexion vertebra shifted significantly more posteriorly compared to the high anterior apex spine (L4/5)., Conclusion: Original geometrical spinal shape affected the occurrence of VF, and post-fracture spinal shape depended on the positional relationship between the inflexion vertebra and fractured vertebra. Our study helps to understand the influence of geometrical spinal shape on the risks of VF., Level of Evidence: 3.

Purpose: There is controversy regarding age-related deterioration of spinal sagittal alignment in cross-sectional study. Although we reported that deterioration in spinal alignment originated at the cervical spine in males and the pelvis in females, others studies have indicated that the lumbar spine is initially implicated in both sexes. The purpose of this study was to clarify these differences in a longitudinal cohort study., Methods: Our analysis was based on 237 individuals aged 60-89 years who participated in our health screening study in 2014 and 2018. They were classified into six groups by birth year and sex: 60-69 years (26 males, 49 females); 70-79 years (35 males, 88 females); and 80-89 years (19 males, 20 females). The following parameters were measured from standing radiographs: pelvic tilt (PT), sacral slope (SS), lumbar lordosis (LL), thoracic kyphosis, T1 slope, cervical lordosis, C7 sagittal vertical axis (C7 SVA), and C2-7 SVA., Results: In males, the first significant change was an increase in the PT angle (19°, in 2014, to 21°, in 2018) in the 80-89 years age group (P < 0.05), with no significant deterioration in cervical parameters. In females, spinal deterioration included a change in the SS (32°-30°), PT (18°-20°), and SVA (- 8 to 6 mm) in the 60-69 years age group (P < 0.05), with no change in the LL., Conclusions: Contrary to prior studies, our longitudinal data indicated that deterioration in spinal alignment originates in the pelvis for both sex but develops earlier in females than males.

Background: Several studies indicated the influence of age and sex on spinal alignment using spino-pelvic radiographic parameters. However, information regarding the geometrical assessment of the sagittal spinal plane in the elderly population remains limited. This study aimed to determine the apices of lumbar lordosis and thoracic kyphosis, and spinal inflection point in elderly individuals and clarify the effect of age, sex, and pelvic incidence (PI) on sagittal geometry., Methods: In total, 440 volunteers (193 men; 247 women) were enrolled. The spino-pelvic radiographic parameters were measured. The apices of thoracic kyphosis and lumbar lordosis, and the inflection point where the vertebral curvature changes from kyphosis to lordosis were investigated. We analyzed the differences in the sagittal curve shape according to the sex, age, and PI magnitude., Results: On average, the apices of thoracic kyphosis and lumbar lordosis, and the inflection point were located at the levels of the T8/9 intervertebral disc, L3/4 disc, and L1 vertebra, respectively. Significant differences between men and women were observed with respect to the spino-pelvic parameters; however, the positions of the apices were significantly different only with respect to the lumbar apex offsets among individuals in their 70s. The inflectional point and apex of thoracic kyphosis among individuals aged >80 years were located significantly anteriorly and caudally in comparison to those among individuals aged <69 years. The apex of lumbar lordosis and the inflection point in individuals with high PI were located significantly anteriorly and cranially in comparison to those in individuals with low PI., Conclusions: The apices of thoracic kyphosis and lumbar lordosis, and the inflection point were located at the T8/9 intervertebral disc, L3/4 disc, and L1 vertebra, respectively. The shape of the sagittal spinal curve varied according to age and the magnitude of PI, and these findings cannot be evaluated using the conventional spino-pelvic parameters. Knowledge of standard geometrical spine shape could be useful for spinal deformity treatment in elderly patients., (Copyright © 2019. Published by Elsevier B.V.)

OBJECTIVEThe purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of position on lumbar lordosis (LL) in adult spinal deformity (ASD) patients.METHODSThe authors evaluated the radiographic data of ASD patients who underwent posterior corrective fusion surgery from the thoracic spine to L5, S1, or the ilium for the treatment of ASD of the lumbar spine. The spinopelvic parameters were measured in the standing position preoperatively. LL was also evaluated in the supine position preoperatively and in the prone position on the surgical frame. Changes in LL were compared between groups.RESULTSEighty-five patients were included. The average LL in standing, supine, and prone positions was 11.8°, 24.3°, and 24.0°, respectively. LL increased significantly from standing to supine or prone position (p < 0.001). In 80 patients (94.1%), the difference between supine LL and prone LL was within 5°. Change in LL from standing to prone position was significantly higher in the severe deformity group.CONCLUSIONSThe lordotic effect of intraoperative prone positioning was remarkable in patients with severe deformities. LL in the supine position was approximately the same as that in the prone position. Therefore, assessing preoperative supine lateral lumbar radiographs enables one to plan corrective spinal surgeries in ASD patients.

Study Design: Longitudinal cohort., Objective: The present study aimed to document changes in posture and lower extremity kinematics during gait in patients with adult spinal deformity (ASD) after extensive corrective surgery., Summary of Background Data: Standing radiographic parameters are typically used to evaluate patients with ASD. Previously, preoperative walking and standing posture discrepancy were reported in patients with ASD. We did not include comparison between before and after surgery. Therefore, we thought that pre- and postoperative evaluations for patients with ASD should include gait analysis., Methods: Thirty-nine patients with ASD (5 men, 34 women; mean age, 71.0 ± 6.1) who underwent posterior corrective fixation surgeries from the thoracic spine to the pelvis were included. A 4-m walk was recorded and analyzed. Sagittal balance while walking was calculated as the angle between the plumb line on the side and the line connecting the greater trochanter and pinna while walking (i.e., the gait-trunk tilt angle [GTA]). We measured maximum knee extension angle during one gait cycle, step length (cm), and walking speed (m/min). Radiographic parameters were also measured., Results: The mean GTA and the mean maximum knee extension angle significantly improved from 13.4° to 6.4°, and -13.3° to -9.4°(P < 0.001 and P = 0.006), respectively. The mean step length improved from 40.4 to 43.1 cm (P = 0.049), but there was no significant change in walking speed (38.4 to 41.5 m/min, P = 0.105). Postoperative GTA, maximum knee extension angle and step length correlated with postoperative pelvic incidence minus lumbar lordosis (r = 0.324, P = 0.044; r = -0.317, P = 0.049; r = -0.416, P = 0.008, respectively)., Conclusion: Our results suggest that postoperative posture, maximum knee extension angle, and step length during gait in patients with ASD improved corresponding to how much correction of the sagittal spinal deformity was achieved., Level of Evidence: 3.

Study Design: Retrospective case series., Objective: The present study aimed to determine the characteristics of patients with adult spinal deformity (ASD) with a discrepancy between standing and walking postures., Summary of Background Data: Standing radiographic parameters are typically used to evaluate patients with ASD. Patients with ASD with relatively good sagittal alignment on standing radiography have, however, been reported to walk with a forward trunk tilt., Methods: Patients with ASD (n = 93; 13 men, 80 women; mean age, 65.0 yr) who underwent corrective surgery and preoperative gait analysis at our hospital between 2011 and 2013 were included. Spine radiographs and gait analysis data were acquired preoperatively. Standing-trunk tilt angle (STA) on lateral standing x-ray, gait-trunk tilt angle (GTA) from lateral gait images, and radiographic parameters of the spine and pelvis (lumbar lordosis [LL], pelvic tilt, and sagittal vertical axis) were measured. We calculated the increasing trunk tilt angle (ITA), by subtracting the STA from the GTA, for use as an index of discrepancy between standing posture and sagittal balance during walking. We examined the relation between radiographic parameters and ITA., Results: The mean preoperative STA and GTA were 3.5° and 11.1°, respectively. The mean preoperative ITA, which represents the degree of discrepancy between standing posture and sagittal balance during walking, was 7.6°. The mean preoperative sagittal vertical axis, LL, pelvic incidence (PI), pelvic tilt, and PI minus LL were 102.6 mm, 20.3°, 52.9°, 32.1°, and 32.6°, respectively. The PI minus LL mismatch was positively correlated with the ITA (R = 0.237, P = 0.023). In particular, patients with ASD with a PI minus LL mismatch of more than 40° had a significantly greater ITA., Conclusion: Gait analysis revealed that a preoperative standing-walking discrepancy is associated with severe PI - LL mismatch., Level of Evidence: 4.

Study Design: A retrospective study of surgical outcomes of adult spinal deformity (ASD) cases., Objective: The aim of the study was to investigate the effects of high T1 slope (T1S) on surgical outcomes in patients with ASD., Summary of Background Data: Few studies have evaluated the surgical outcomes of patients with ASD with cervical deformities., Methods: Eighty-eight patients with ASD who underwent posterior spinal corrective fusion were assigned to either group A (T1S <40°) or group B (T1S ≥40°). Whole-spine standing radiographs of both groups were preoperatively assessed: at first standing after the surgery and at 1 and 2 years postoperatively., Results: There were 56 patients in group A and 32 in group B. The preoperative C7 sagittal vertical axis (SVA) improved from 61 to 41 mm in group A and from 161 to 64 mm in group B at first standing after the surgery. C7 SVA at 2 years after the surgery was, however, 57 mm in group A and 98 mm in group B because of correction loss (P = 0.003). T1S measurements before and immediately after the surgery and 2 years after the surgery were, however, 25°, 23°, and 27° in group A and 53°, 36°, and 41° in group B, respectively. There were no significant differences among measurements in group A. Those in group B were, however, significantly improved in the first standing, but T1S of 40° or higher deteriorated toward 2 years after the surgery., Conclusion: Among patients with T1S of 40° or higher, C7 SVA improved immediately after the surgery but worsened at 2 years after the surgery. These results suggested that cervicothoracic parameters were important predictors of correction loss., Level of Evidence: 4.

Study Design: This investigation consisted of a cross-sectional study and a retrospective multicenter case series., Objective: This investigation sought to identify the ideal lumbar lordosis (LL) angle for restoring an optimal pelvic tilt (PT) in patients with adult spinal deformity (ASD)., Summary of Background Data: To achieve successful corrective fusion in ASD patients with sagittal imbalance, it is essential to correct the sagittal spinal alignment and obtain a suitable pelvic inclination. We determined the LL angle that would restore the optimal PT following ASD surgery., Methods: The cross-sectional study included 184 elderly volunteers (mean age 64 years) with an Oswestry Disability Index score less than 20%. The relationship between PT or LL and the pelvic incidence (PI) in normal individuals was investigated. The second study included 116 ASD patients (mean age 66 years) who underwent thoracolumbar corrective fusion at 1 of 4 spine centers. The postoperative PT values were calculated using the parameters measured. On the basis of these studies, an ideal LL angle was determined., Results: In the cross-sectional study, the linear regression equation for the optimal PT as a function of PI was "optimal PT = 0.47 × PI - 7.5." In the second study, the postoperative PT was determined as a function of PI and corrected LL, using the equation "postoperative PT = 0.7 × PI - 0.5 × corrected LL + 8.1." The target LL angle was determined by mathematically equalizing the PTs of these 2 equations: "target LL = 0.45 × PI + 31.8.", Conclusion: The ideal LL angle can be determined using the equation "LL = 0.45 × PI + 31.8," which can be used as a reference during surgical planning in ASD cases., Level of Evidence: 4.

Study Design: Large cohort study of volunteers aged over 50., Objective: To investigate influence of age and sex on cervical sagittal alignment among volunteers aged over 50., Summary of Background Data: Few large-scale studies have described normative values in cervical spine alignment regarding age and sex among volunteers aged over 50., Methods: The study cohort included 656 volunteers aged 50 to 89 years. Pelvic tilt, sacral slope, pelvic incidence, lumbar lordosis, pelvic incidence-lumbar lordosis, thoracic kyphosis, T1 slope (T1S), cervical lordosis (CL), C7 sagittal vertical axis (C7 SVA), C2-C7 SVA, and T1S-CL were measured using whole spine and pelvic radiographs taken in the standing position. Health-related quality of life was assessed using the EuroQOL (EQ-5D) standardized instrument for measurement of health outcome and Oswestry Disability Index., Results: There were 36 subjects aged 50 to 59 years, 174 aged 60 to 69 years, 311 aged 70 to 79 years, and 135 aged 80 to 89 years. Average T1S for each decade was 32°, 31°, 33°, and 36° for males, and 28°, 29°, 32°, and 37° for females, respectively. Average C2-C7 SVA was 25, 28, 34, and 35 mm for males, and 20, 21, 22, and 28 mm for females, respectively. C2-C7 SVA 40 mm or more, T1S 40° or more, and T1S-CL 20° or more pertaining to EQ-5D were significantly worse in other cases., Conclusion: C2-C7 SVA was significantly greater in males among all age groups, particularly among those with C2-C7 SVA of 40 mm or more [males, 69% (82/118) vs. females, 33% (36/118)]. Sagittal parameters of cervical spine were significantly worse in males than females. C2-C7 SVA, T1S, and T1S-CL negatively influenced EQ-5D. These results help to explain the greater prevalence of cervical spondylotic myelopathy among elderly males., Level of Evidence: 3.