Relationship between facet joint tropism and degeneration of facet joints and intervertebral discs based on a histological study.

Cui, Ji Hao; Kim, Yong-Chan; Lee, Keunho; Park, Gyu-Taek; Kim, Ki-Tack; Kim, Sung Min · J Orthop · 2019

cross_sectional · Level IV

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Abstract

Evaluate the correlation between lumbar facet joint tropism, lumbar facet joint degeneration, and intervertebral disc degeneration. Forty-two of facet joints were evaluated histologically and radiologically. The correlation between facet joint tropism and histologic, CT, and MRI grading was -0.159 (P = 0.339), 0.025 (P = 0.226) and -0.270 (P = 0.102), respectively. The correlation between facet joint tropism and intervertebral disc MRI grading was 0.346 (P = 0.033), and that between facet joint and intervertebral disc MRI grading was 0.208 (P = 0.210). Facet joint tropism was correlated with intervertebral disc degeneration but not with facet joint degeneration.