Lumbar Facet Joint Arthritis Is Associated with More Coronal Orientation of the Facet Joints at the Upper Lumbar Spine

We retrospectively analyzed CT scans of 620 individuals, who presented to our traumatology department between 2008 and 2010. Facet joint (FJ) arthritis was present in 308 (49.7%) individuals with a mean grade of 1. It was seen in 27% of individuals ≤40 years and in 75% of individuals ≥41 years () as well as in 52% of females and 49% of males (). Mean FJ orientation was 30.4° at L2/3, 38.7° at L3/4, 47° at L4/5, and 47.3° at L5/S1. FJ arthritis was significantly associated with more coronal (increased degree) FJ orientation at L2/3 () with a cutoff point at ≥32°. FJs were more coronally oriented (48.8°) in individuals ≤40 years and more sagittally oriented (45.6°) in individuals ≥41 years at L5/S1 (). Mean FJ asymmetry was 4.89° at L2/3, 6.01° at L3/4, 6.67° at L4/5, and 7.27° at L5/S1, without a significant difference for FJ arthritis. FJ arthritis is common, increases with age, and affects both genders equally. More coronally oriented FJs (≥32°) in the upper lumbar spine may be an individual risk factor for development of FJ arthritis.

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Pyogenic Lumbar Facet Joint Arthritis With Intradural Extension: A Case Report

Journal of Spinal Disorders & Techniques ◽

10.1097/00024720-200212000-00017 ◽

2002 ◽

Vol 15 (6) ◽

pp. 526-528 ◽

Cited By ~ 14

Author(s):

Michael F. Coscia ◽

Terry R. Trammell

Keyword(s):

Case Report ◽

Facet Joint ◽

Lumbar Facet Joint ◽

Lumbar Facet ◽

Joint Arthritis

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The Prevalence and Degree of Asymptomatic Cervical and Lumbar Facet Joint Arthritis: Retrospective Study

PM&R ◽

10.1016/j.pmrj.2015.06.041 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 7 ◽

pp. S91-S91

Author(s):

Mohammed Emam ◽

Ferdinand Chan ◽

Soo Yeon Kim ◽

Alok Sharan

Keyword(s):

Retrospective Study ◽

Facet Joint ◽

Lumbar Facet Joint ◽

Lumbar Facet ◽

Joint Arthritis

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Deep Learning-Based Correlation Analysis between Spine Surgery Lumbar Facet Joint and Lumbar Disc Herniation Using Magnetic Resonance Images

Scientific Programming ◽

10.1155/2021/9623991 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 2021 ◽

pp. 1-7

Author(s):

Chao Wang ◽

Jiabin Yuan ◽

Zebin Huang ◽

Zhicai Shi

Keyword(s):

Lumbar Spine ◽

Magnetic Resonance ◽

Lumbar Disc Herniation ◽

Facet Joint ◽

Lumbar Disc ◽

Magnetic Resonance Images ◽

Control Group ◽

Lumbar Facet Joint ◽

Lumbar Facet ◽

Experimental Group

The research aimed at discussing the analytic function of convolutional neural network (CNN) algorithm-based magnetic resonance images (MRI) in the correlation between lumbar disc herniation (LDH) and angle and irregular variation of joint (IVJ) of lumbar facet-joint (LFJ). First, CNN-based MRI (CNNM) algorithm was constructed, and Markov random field (MRF) and fuzzy C-means (FCM) algorithms were introduced for comparison. Meanwhile, all patients received MRI examination of lumbar, and CNNM algorithm was adopted in MRI images. The results showed that the sensitivity, specificity, accuracy, and precision (98.53%, 93.65%, 99.56%, and 98.74%, respectively) of the CNNM algorithm were all superior to those of MRF algorithm (90.41%, 81.11%, 91.18%, and 91.13%, respectively) and of FCM algorithm (93.14%, 82.86%, 93.23%, and 93.08%, respectively) ( P < 0.05 ). Besides, the lumbar spine angles of L3-L4, L4-L5, and L5-S1 (6.03 ± 1.34°, 7.14 ± 1.18°, and 8.96 ± 3.26°, respectively) in the experimental group was obviously less than those in the control group (6.84 ± 1.15°, 9.85 ± 1.25°, and 17.34 ± 4.79°, respectively) ( P < 0.05 ). In the experimental group, there was irregular mutation of LFJ in 78 cases, while 8 cases suffered from irregular mutation of LFJ in the control group. The proportions of protrusion in L3/4, L4/5, and L5/S1 segments (11 cases, 53 cases, and 14 cases, respectively) was higher than that in the control group (1 case, 5 cases, and 2 cases, respectively) ( P < 0.05 ). In short, the constructed CNNM algorithm had excellent performance in diagnosing lumbar MRI images and had clinical research and promotion value. Moreover, the IVJ of patients with LDH was notably increased, most of the physiological angle of the lumbar spine changed, and facet joint was correlated with the occurrence of LDH.

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Lumbar Facet Joint Radiofrequency Ablation Versus Intra-articular Lumbar Facet Joint Injections Using Corticosteroids in the Reduction of Chronic Low Back Pain Related to the Facet Joints

JBJS Journal of Orthopaedics for Physician Assistants ◽

10.2106/jbjs.jopa.19.00033 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 8 (2) ◽

pp. e19.00033

Author(s):

Eric M. Chavez

Keyword(s):

Low Back Pain ◽

Back Pain ◽

Radiofrequency Ablation ◽

Chronic Low Back Pain ◽

Facet Joint ◽

Low Back ◽

Facet Joints ◽

Lumbar Facet Joint ◽

Lumbar Facet ◽

Joint Injections

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Lumbar Facet Joint Kinematics and Load Effects During Dynamic Lifting

Human Factors The Journal of the Human Factors and Ergonomics Society ◽

10.1177/0018720818790719 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 60 (8) ◽

pp. 1130-1145 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Suman K. Chowdhury ◽

Ryan M. Byrne ◽

Yu Zhou ◽

Xudong Zhang

Keyword(s):

Facet Joint ◽

Joint Kinematics ◽

Facet Joints ◽

Lateral Bending ◽

Lumbar Facet Joint ◽

Load Effect ◽

Load Effects ◽

Lumbar Facet ◽

Lumbar Facet Joints

Objective: To examine the lumbar facet joint kinematics in vivo during dynamic lifting and the effects of the load lifted. Background: Although extensive efforts have been dedicated to investigating the risk factors of low back pain (LBP) associated with load handling in the workplace, the biomechanics of lumbar facet joints during such activities is not well understood. Method: Fourteen healthy participants performed a load-lifting task while a dynamic stereo-radiography system captured their lumbar motion continuously. Data from 11 participants were included for subsequent analysis. A randomized block design was employed to study the load effect (4.5 kg, 9.0 kg, and 13.5 kg) on bilateral facet joint motions at approximately 60°, 40°, 20°, and 0° trunk-flexion postures. The facet orientations were also examined. Results: Significant load effects were found for the flexion and lateral bending and superior-inferior translation of the facet joints. The L5-S1 displayed greater lateral bending and twisting, which was due to its more posterolateral orientation than the L2-L3, L3-L4, and L4-L5 facet joints. The left-right asymmetry in facet orientation was observed, most prominently at L3-L4 and L5-S1 facet joints. Conclusion: The lumbar facet joint kinematics are affected by the magnitude of the lifted load and are dependent on the orientations of articulating adjacent facets. Application: This study provided new insights into the role of lumbar facet joints in vivo during lifting. Alterations in the facet joint kinematics due to vigorous functional demand can be one of the primary but overlooked mechanical factors in the causation of LBP.

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