Health News
Health and spine-care news, summarized and cited from the original source.
FDA-Approved Epilepsy Drug Shows Potential to Reverse Osteoarthritis Damage
A study published in *Bioactive Materials* suggests that lacosamide, an FDA-approved epilepsy drug, may reduce joint pain and reverse cartilage damage in osteoarthritis. The research, led by Yale University, found…
Stanford Researchers Discover Cartilage Regeneration Potential for Osteoarthritis Patients
Scientists have identified a method to restore cartilage in aging knee joints by blocking a protein whose levels rise with age. The approach reversed cartilage loss in mice and protected…
Exploring CBCT Parameters as Indicators of Systemic Bone Density in Postmenopausal Women
This study explored the relationship between CBCT-derived gray value (GV) and fractal dimension (FD) and DEXA-measured bone mineral density (BMD) in postmenopausal women. While no overall discrimination of BMD categories…
Concurrent Head and Cervical Spine CT Scans: Rising Use and Declining Diagnostic Yield in Trauma Patients
A 2026 study in *Emergency Radiology* found that concurrent head and cervical spine CT scans in trauma patients saw a five-fold increase in use over 10 years, but diagnostic yields…
Even One Strength Training Session a Week Could Make a Difference
Even one strength training session per week may significantly counteract age-related muscle loss, according to new research. The study emphasizes the critical role of muscle strength in maintaining mobility, balance,…
Cervical Spine Assessments Recommended for Female Athletes with Concussion History
A 2026 study in JSAMS plus found that female athletes with a history of sports-related concussion (SRC) were more likely to show cervical spine impairments, including reduced range of motion…
Study Examines Surgical Outcomes for Feline Spinal Trauma Linked to High-Rise Syndrome
A 2026 study in *Veterinary Sciences* analyzed 20 cats with spinal trauma caused by high-rise syndrome, finding that anatomically guided surgical techniques improved functional outcomes. All cases involved falls from…
Minimally Invasive Spinal Decompression Shows Cost-Effectiveness Advantage Over Open Laminectomy for Lumbar Spinal Stenosis
A 2026 study in the Global Spine Journal found that minimally invasive tubular decompression (MIS) for lumbar spinal stenosis (LSS) was cost-effective compared to open laminectomy, with lower costs and…
Repeated Romosozumab and Ibandronate Sequencing in High-Risk Osteoporosis: A Retrospective Cohort Study
A retrospective study published in JBMR Plus (2026) evaluated the effects of repeated romosozumab treatment with short-term ibandronate sequencing in high-risk osteoporosis patients. The research, involving 68 participants, found significant…
Hidden Stem Cells May Be Fueling Spinal Stenosis
Researchers at Weill Cornell Medicine and Hospital for Special Surgery have identified a previously unrecognized population of stem cells that play a critical role in forming tendons and ligaments, the…
Identification of FZD4 as a Candidate Receptor for Wnt1's Osteoanabolic Effects in Mice
A study published in *JBMR Plus* identifies FZD4 as a candidate receptor mediating the osteoanabolic effects of Wnt1 in mice. Short-term Wnt1 induction increased bone mass in the spine and…
Nonlinear Association Between Albumin-Globulin Ratio and Bone Mineral Density in U.S. Adults
This study identifies an inverse association between serum AGR and BMD in U.S. adults, with nonlinear threshold effects and stronger associations in women. The findings suggest AGR may reflect inflammatory-nutritional…
AI and Machine Learning in Perioperative Hemodynamic Management for Major Spine Surgery: A Narrative Review
The study evaluates the role of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML) in improving hemodynamic management during major spine surgery, highlighting their potential to reduce instability and enable personalized…
Stereotactic Body Radiation Therapy Shows Promise for Symptomatic Benign Spinal Tumors
A 2026 study in *Advances in Radiation Oncology* evaluated stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT) for symptomatic benign spinal tumors, finding high rates of symptomatic improvement and minimal toxicity.
Epidemiology of Spinal Fractures in Polytrauma Patients
The study, published in the *European Journal of Trauma and Emergency Surgery*, examines the epidemiology of spinal fractures among polytrauma patients. Conducted over 13 years (2009–2021) at a Level-1 trauma…
Calcium and Vitamin D Supplements Show Limited Benefits for Fall and Fracture Prevention in Older Adults
A major review published in The BMJ challenges the widespread belief that calcium and vitamin D supplements significantly improve bone health in older adults. The analysis, which examined 69 randomized…
Emerging Knee Treatment Offers Alternative to Surgery for Osteoarthritis Patients
Genicular artery embolization (GAE) has emerged as a minimally invasive treatment for chronic knee pain, offering an alternative to traditional interventions. Patients like Cynthia Schraf-Fletcher report significant pain reduction and…
MRI-Derived Bone Quality Metrics Show Potential for Osteoporosis Screening, Study Finds
A 2026 study in *Skeletal Radiology* evaluated MRI-derived vertebral bone quality (VBQ) and femoral bone quality (FBQ) scores as potential osteoporosis screening tools compared to DXA. Among 248 participants aged…
Surgical Repair of Ventral Hernias Reduces Bowel Obstruction Risk, Study Finds
A recent study published in *Hernia: The Journal of Hernias and Abdominal Wall Surgery* compared the long-term outcomes of operative and non-operative management for ventral hernias. Using data from 587,384…
Variation in General Practitioners' Referrals for Spine-Related MRI Examinations in Norway
A nationwide study in Norway reveals significant variations in general practitioners' (GPs) referrals for potentially low-value MRI examinations of the head, lumbosacral spine, and knee. GPs in the highest referral…
Comparative Analysis of Kinesio Taping and Foam Roller Exercises for Chronic Low Back Pain
A 2026 study in *Healthcare (Basel, Switzerland)* compared Kinesio taping and foam roller exercises for non-specific chronic low back pain. Both interventions improved pain, disability, flexibility, and pressure pain thresholds,…
Vertebral Body Wedge Geometry Predicts Lumbar Lordosis Beyond Pelvic Morphology in Chronic Low Back Pain
A 2026 study in the Journal of Clinical Medicine found that vertebral body wedge geometry, specifically the total wedge index (TWI), predicts lumbar lordosis more accurately than pelvic morphology in…
Ultra-Processed Foods Linked to Muscle Fat Accumulation in Thighs
A study published in *Radiology* found that higher consumption of ultra-processed foods correlates with increased thigh muscle fat, potentially linking dietary patterns to musculoskeletal health. The research, led by Zehra…
Global Research Trends in Intra-Articular Hyaluronic Acid Therapy for Knee Osteoarthritis
A 2026 bibliometric study published in *Medicine* analyzed global research trends on intra-articular hyaluronic acid (IAHA) therapy for knee osteoarthritis (KOA). The study, conducted by Yang et al., examined 980…