BACKGROUND: Low Back Pain (LBP) is considered as one of the most frequent disorders, which about 80% of adults experience in their lives. Lumbar disc herniation (LDH) is a cause for acute LBP. Among conservative treatments, traction is frequently use

Aim: The objective of this study is to explore gender differences in decision-making and outcomes in lumbar spine surgery. Material and Method: In this retrospective analysis, 74 patients (42 women and 32 men) who had lumbar spine surgery at İstinye University's Gaziosmanpaşa Hospital between January 2023 and April 2024 were included. Sociodemographics, surgical choices, comorbidities, and medication use were among the data gathered; these were examined to find variations. Results: Women were more likely to attend appointments with family members and to have surgery at their initial consultation. In addition, women were more likely than men to have smoked, had had previous surgery, and used antidepressants. In terms of surgical operations, stabilizing procedures were more commonly assigned to women. Additionally, compared to patients with only a primary school education, those with better educational backgrounds—especially those who have graduated from university—tended to make judgments faster. Preoperative discomfort and impairment were higher among women, according to the results. Conclusion: Comorbidities, gender, and educational background have a big influence on lumbar spine surgical decision-making and results. By addressing these issues in therapeutic settings, it may be possible to improve patient care and lessen treatment and recovery inequities.

EVALUATING INCIDENTAL FINDINGS IN CERVICAL MRI SCANS: THE PREVALENCE AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE OF INCIDENTAL FINDINGS - The Journal of Turkish Spinal Surgery

Background: Aging significantly affects the human skeletal system, leading to a decline in bone mass, density, and functionality. Conditions such as osteoporosis and arthritis become more prevalent, impacting the quality of life in older adults. This study aimed to investigate the impact of aging on the skeletal system, focusing on bone health, lifestyle factors, and medical interventions. Objective: The objective of this research was to examine the prevalence of bone-related conditions, lifestyle habits, and the effectiveness of current medical interventions in mitigating the effects of aging on the skeletal system. Methods: The study was conducted at the Faculty of Rehabilitation Sciences, Lahore University of Biological and Applied Sciences, Pakistan. A total of 47 participants, aged 20 to 84 years, were included. Data were collected through comprehensive questionnaires covering medical history, lifestyle habits, current medications, and menopausal status for female participants. Bone health was assessed through self-reported incidence of bone pain, fractures, and mobility issues, supplemented by medical records and imaging data. Logistic regression analysis was performed using SPSS version 25 to identify associations between bone pain and variables such as fractures, mobility issues, and supplement use. Results: The study included 47 participants with a mean age of 52.47 years. The prevalence of osteoporosis was 55.3%, arthritis 57.4%, hyperthyroidism 38.3%, hypothyroidism 44.7%, diabetes 51.1%, and cardiovascular disease 59.6%. Smoking and alcohol consumption were reported by 55.3% and 59.6% of participants, respectively. Physical activity levels varied, with 29.8% being super active and 19.1% sedentary. The mean number of medications taken was 2.55. Bone pain was reported by 38.3% of participants, fractures by 46.8%, and mobility issues by 48.9%. Logistic regression indicated possible associations between bone pain and fractures (p=0.172) and mobility issues (p=0.153), while calcium or vitamin D supplements were not significantly associated with bone pain (p=0.823). Conclusion: The study highlighted the significant impact of aging on the skeletal system, with high prevalence rates of osteoporosis, arthritis, and cardiovascular disease. Lifestyle factors such as smoking, alcohol consumption, and physical activity levels also played crucial roles. Fractures and mobility issues were identified as potential risk factors for bone pain. These findings underscore the need for comprehensive healthcare strategies addressing medical and lifestyle factors to mitigate the effects of aging on the skeletal system and improve the quality of life for older adults. Keywords: Aging, Skeletal System, Osteoporosis, Arthritis, Bone Health, Lifestyle Factors, Medical Interventions, Bone Pain, Fractures, Mobility Issues, Calcium Supplements, Vitamin D Supplements, SPSS Analysis, Geriatric Health, Preventive Healthcare.

Aims: Chronic nonspecific neck pain (CNSNP) affects individuals by causing functional limitations. However, the impact of pain intensity is not known. This study aimed to compare sleep, disability, and depression levels in individuals with CNSNP with varying degrees of pain.Methods: A cross-sectional observational study was conducted, and 55 individuals with CNSNP were included. Patients were divided into two groups: mild (n=24) and moderate/severe (n=31) pain based on the Visual Analog Scale (VAS). Individuals' disability level (Neck Disability Index (NDI)), sleep quality (Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI)), and depression levels (Beck Depression Inventory (BDI)) were assessed.Results: The demographic characteristics of the groups were similar (p>0.05). The moderate/severe pain group had statistically significantly higher NDI, PSQI, and BDI scores than the mild pain group (p<0.05). A positive correlation was observed between VAS and the NDI (r=0.758, p<0.001), PSQI (r=0.482, p<0.001), and BDI (r=0.583, p<0.001). Additionally, increased duration of symptoms correlated with increased VAS scores (r=-0.314, p=0.019).Conclusion: Individuals with CNSNP who experience more pain have more functional disability and poorer sleep quality, and higher levels of depression. Furthermore, these symptoms increase as pain intensity increases. Therefore, the pain levels of individuals with CNSNP should be carefully assessed and rehabilitated with appropriate approaches.

Stroke remains one of the leading causes of morbidity and mortality worldwide and represents a major contributor to long-term disability. Among the various neurological impairments observed after stroke, upper extremity dysfunction is particularly common and often results in significant loss of motor control, sensory deficits, and reduced functional independence. These impairments severely affect patients’ quality of life and limit their ability to perform activities of daily living. Despite advances in neurorehabilitation, conventional therapeutic approaches, including physiotherapy and occupational therapy, often yield limited functional recovery, especially in patients with moderate to severe deficits. Factors such as insufficient therapy intensity, variability in therapist-dependent interventions, and challenges in maintaining patient motivation contribute to suboptimal outcomes. In this context, robotic rehabilitation has emerged as an innovative and promising approach, offering repetitive, task-specific, and intensive training with high precision and reproducibility. Robotic rehabilitation has been shown to improve upper extremity motor performance, enhance functional recovery, and support neuroplasticity in patients after stroke. Robotic-assisted rehabilitation systems enable objective assessment of motor performance and allow the delivery of personalized therapy protocols, potentially enhancing neuroplasticity and functional recovery. The aim of this review is to evaluate the effectiveness of robotic rehabilitation in improving upper extremity function, motor recovery, and activities of daily living in patients following stroke. Moreover, these systems can reduce the physical burden on therapists and facilitate long-duration training sessions. However, despite the growing interest in robotic rehabilitation, the current body of literature remains heterogeneous, with many studies consisting of small sample sizes, case series, or non-standardized methodologies, which limits the generalizability of findings