Purpose To access the feasibility and efficacy of percutaneous endoscopic debridement (PED) combined with percutaneous pedicle screw fixation (PPSF) in the treatment of lumbar pyogenic spondylodiscitis. Methods Forty-five patients diagnosed as pyogenic spondylodiscitis underwent PPSF followed by PED. A drainage catheter was left in place for negative pressure drainage. Adequate systematic antibiotics were administered empirically or based on bacterial culture results. Clinical outcomes were assessed by physical examination, regular serologic testing, visual analog scale (VAS), Oswestry Disability Index (ODI), and imaging studies. Results The mean operative time was 110.1 ± 21.2 minutes (range 80-165 minutes), with intra-operative blood loss 47.8 ± 21.0 ml (range 20-120 ml). All patients reported relief of back pain, able to sit up, and partially ambulate the next day. Causative pathogens were identified in 32 of 45 biopsy specimens, staphylococcal bacteria being the most prevalent strain. However, there were 13 patients with post-operative complications. During 6-12 months' follow-up, inflammatory markers showed infection controlled. VAS and ODI values were significantly improved. Discussion Satisfactory clinical and functional outcomes were achieved in our patients post-operatively. It is recommended that PED plus PPSF can be another alternative for spondylodiscitis. Conclusion PED supplementing PPSF offers a valid option in treating spondylodiscitis, as it is minimally invasive, shortens hospital stay, and avoids prolonged bed rest with an optimistic outcome.

Open-door laminoplasty is widely used for patients with cervical spondylotic myelopathy (CSM). However, the loss of cervical lordosis (LCL) seems to be unavoidable in the long-term follow-up after surgery, which may affect the clinical outcomes. The risk factors for this complication are still unclear. In this study, patients who underwent open-door laminoplasty between April 2016 and June 2021 were enrolled. Cervical X-rays were obtained to measure the C2–7 Cobb angle, C2–7 sagittal vertical axis (SVA), T1 slope (T1S) and ranges of motion (ROM). Cervical computed tomography (CT) scans and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) were collected to evaluate the cervical Hounsfield unit values (HU) and the relative cross-sectional area (RCSA) of paraspinal muscles, respectively. A total of 42 patients were included and the average follow-up period was 24.9 months. Among the patients, 24 cases (57.1%) had a LCL of more than 5° at a 1-year follow-up and were labeled as members of the LCL group. The follow-up JOA scores were significantly lower in the LCL group (13.9 ± 0.6 vs. 14.4 ± 0.8, p = 0.021) and the mean JOA recovery rate was negatively correlated with LCL (r = −0.409, p = 0.007). In addition, LCL was positively correlated to the preoperative T1S, flexion ROM, flexion/extension ROM and the RCSA of flexion/extension muscles, while it was negatively correlated to extension ROM and the HU value of cervical vertebrae. Furthermore, multiple linear regression showed that preoperative T1S, mean HU value of cervical vertebrae, flexion/extension ROM and the flexion/extension RCSA were independent risk factors for LCL. Spine surgeons should consider these parameters before performing open-door laminoplasty.

Low back pain is one of the top disorders that leads to disability and affects disability-adjusted life years (DALY) globally. Intervertebral disc degeneration (IDD) and subsequent discogenic pain composed major causes of low back pain. Recent studies have identified several important risk factors contributing to IDD's development, such as inflammation, mechanical imbalance, and aging. Based on these etiology findings, three categories of animal models for inducing IDD are developed: the damage-induced model, the mechanical model, and the spontaneous model. These models are essential measures in studying the natural history of IDD and finding the possible therapeutic target against IDD. In this review, we will discuss the technical details of these models, the duration between model establishment, the occurrence of observable degeneration, and the potential in different study ranges. In promoting future research for IDD, each animal model should examine its concordance with natural IDD pathogenesis in humans. We hope this review can enhance the understanding and proper use of multiple animal models, which may attract more attention to this disease and contribute to translation research.