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Facet joint degeneration linked with lumbosacral pelvic morphology
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Results of a recently published cross-sectional study showed a correlation between the presence and degree of degeneration in the facet joint and lumbosacral pelvic morphology.
Researchers retrospectively evaluated the CT images of 723 patients that were taken between 2010 and 2014. Researchers evaluated the lumbosacropelvic morphology and facet joints of each patient. In addition, researchers used axial and sagittal reformatted CT images to examine the presence and grade of facet joint degeneration in each patient. Sacral slope, sacral kyphosis angle, L1-5 lumbar lordosis angle, L5 vertebra posterior angle, pelvic incidence (PI) and sacral table angle were also measured and recorded for each patient.
Researchers found facet joint degeneration in 74% of patients. Sacral slope, L1-5 lumbar lordosis angle and sacral kyphosis were significantly higher in patients with osteoarthritis compared with healthy subjects.
Researchers noted the severity and risk of the degeneration in facet joints increased as the angle of sacral slope, L1-5 lumbar lordosis and PI increased. The severity and risk of degeneration also increased when the angle of the sacral table and L5 vertebra posterior decreased, researchers noted. – by Robert Linnehan
Disclosure: The researchers report no relevant financial disclosures.
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