Objective: To evaluate whether performing surgery in degenerative diseases of the lumbar spine modify the spinopelvic balance and influences the clinical outcome and the quality of life of patients. Methods: The spinopelvic balance was evaluated in 25 patients using plain radiographs of the lumbosacral region including the proximal femur, as well as evaluating the quality of life on two separated occasions. Results: The measure of spinopelvic balance was obtained by averaging the angles of sacral slope, pelvic version and pelvic incidence. Mean preoperative angles were 59.88º, 22.84º, and 37.44º, respectively, and the mean postoperative values were 61.56º, 24.64º, and 37.32º, respectively. Regarding the questionnaires on quality of life, the Oswestry index showed mean preoperative values of 46.24, characterized as severe disability and mean postoperative values of 13.29 denoting satisfactory response after surgical treatment. The SF-36 questionnaire showed important and significant improvement in quality of life in different domains, with the exception of physical limitation and social aspects, with a p-value of 0.02 and 0.025, respectively. Conclusion: Patients undergoing surgical treatment of degenerative lumbar diseases showed no significant changes in the spinopelvic balance, but showed significant improvement in quality of life after surgery.

Objective: To analyze the results obtained by open-door laminoplasty using the Newbridge  /Blackstone plate, in cases of myelopathy associated with cervical lordosis. Methods: From December 2010 to October 2012, eight patients between the ages of 49 and 68 underwent open-door laminoplasty with the use of the Newbridge  fixation system for maintenance and stabilization of the cervical laminoplasty. Minimum follow-up was four months. For the evaluation of quality of life the questionnaire SF-36 was applied at the following times: preoperative, one month and three months after surgery associated with the subjective assessment of the patient regarding satisfaction with the procedure and with the Nurick neurological scale applied prior to surgery and three months later. Results: According to the SF-36, there was significant improvement in the domains functional ability, general health perceptions and emotional aspects over time; regarding physical limitations and social aspects there was no improvement in the first postoperative month, only in the third month. There were no statistically significant changes observed during the period covered by this study related to pain, vitality and mental health. According to Nurick scale, there was evidence of improvement in symptoms of cervical myelopathy. Based on the subjective evaluation of the patients, surprisingly, all patients were satisfied with the surgical procedure and the results. Conclusion: The open-door laminoplasty technique with rigid fixation to maintain the opening is useful in improving the symptoms of cervical myelopathy associated with lordosis, leading to improved quality of life and with a high degree of patient satisfaction and fewer complications.Keywords: Spinal cord diseases; Laminoplasty; Spine/surgery; Quality of life. RESUMO Objetivo: Analisar os resultados obtidos pela laminoplastia open-door com o uso da placa Newbridge

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Objective: To evaluate the prevalence of low back pain in nurses at a university hospital in São Paulo and establish a relationship with social aspects. Methods: A cross-sectional study was carried out, through the application of a questionnaire containing social questions(weight, age, height, work sector, working hours, physical activity, presence and frequency of low back pain) in addition to the Oswestry questionnaire. Results: One hundred fifty-three nurses participated in the study. Of these, 92.30% of the women and 73.91% of the men presented low back pain, with a third classifying the pain as sporadic. In relation to BMI, pain is lower in those who are underweight (60%) and higher among those who are overweight (96.77%). Most of the sample was sedentary (66%), and of these, 96% had low back pain. There was no difference in the comparison by working hours, in relation to work sector, pain was more present in the following sectors: coordination (100%); children’s ward (92%); adult emergency room (90%) and adult ICU (31%). Thirty nurses worked double shifts, and of these, 90% reported low back pain, while among those who worked only at the university hospital, 89.4% reported pain. In relation to working hours, the longer the working day, the greater the pain. In the function assessment (Oswestry), 99 participants obtained a value of up to 30% disability. Conclusion: Based on the results of this work, it is concluded that there is a high prevalence of low back pain in nurses at the Hospital Universitário; however, it was not possible to determine a direct risk factor associated with this high prevalence. Level of Evidence IV; Cross-sectional study.