Lumbar Facet Joint Kinematics and Load Effects During Dynamic Lifting

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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The Effects of Orientation of Lumbar Facet Joints on the Facet Joint Contact Forces

Spine ◽

10.1097/brs.0000000000002290 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 43 (4) ◽

pp. E216-E220 ◽

Cited By ~ 6

Author(s):

Xiang Liu ◽

Zhiping Huang ◽

Ruozhou Zhou ◽

Qingan Zhu ◽

Wei Ji ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Facet Joint ◽

Contact Forces ◽

Facet Joints ◽

Joint Contact ◽

Lumbar Facet ◽

Lumbar Facet Joints

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A Novel In Vivo Measurement of Three-Dimensional Lumbar Facet Joint Orientation and Area

ASME 2007 Summer Bioengineering Conference ◽

10.1115/sbc2007-175639 ◽

2007 ◽

Author(s):

Yoshihisa Otsuka ◽

Howard S. An ◽

Jamie R. Williams ◽

Ruth S. Ochia ◽

Kazuyoshi Yamaguchi ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Facet Joint ◽

Three Dimensional ◽

Joint Surface ◽

Lumbar Facet Joint ◽

Joint Orientation ◽

In Vivo Measurement ◽

Load Transmission ◽

Facet Orientation ◽

Lumbar Facet

Changes in load transmission through facet and facet orientation have been considered as an important factor in intervertebral disc degeneration and osteoarthritic changes of the facet joint. (1)(2)(3) Facet joint surface area and orientation of the facets play key roles in load transmission. Their information is important for designing implants of the spine. They have been 2-dimentionally measured using CT and MRI. (4)(5) The purpose of the current study was to establish a three-dimensional (3D) technique for measuring lumbar facet joint area and orientation in vivo.

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Quantitative in vivo MRI evaluation of lumbar facet joints and intervertebral discs using axial T2 mapping

European Radiology ◽

10.1007/s00330-011-2198-z ◽

2011 ◽

Vol 21 (11) ◽

pp. 2388-2395 ◽

Cited By ~ 16

Author(s):

David Stelzeneder ◽

Alina Messner ◽

Marianna Vlychou ◽

Goetz H. Welsch ◽

Georg Scheurecker ◽

...

Keyword(s):

T2 Mapping ◽

Intervertebral Discs ◽

Facet Joints ◽

Lumbar Facet ◽

Mri Evaluation ◽

Lumbar Facet Joints

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In vivo measurement of the subchondral bone thickness of lumbar facet joint using magnetic resonance imaging

Osteoarthritis and Cartilage ◽

10.1016/j.joca.2010.10.015 ◽

2011 ◽

Vol 19 (1) ◽

pp. 96-102 ◽

Cited By ~ 22

Author(s):

C.Y. Duan ◽

A.A. Espinoza Orías ◽

S. Shott ◽

H.S. An ◽

G.B.J. Andersson ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Magnetic Resonance Imaging ◽

Magnetic Resonance ◽

Subchondral Bone ◽

Facet Joint ◽

Resonance Imaging ◽

Bone Thickness ◽

Lumbar Facet Joint ◽

In Vivo Measurement ◽

Lumbar Facet

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

Radiology Research and Practice ◽

10.1155/2013/693971 ◽

2013 ◽

Vol 2013 ◽

pp. 1-9 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Thorsten Jentzsch ◽

James Geiger ◽

Stefan M. Zimmermann ◽

Ksenija Slankamenac ◽

Thi Dan Linh Nguyen-Kim ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Lumbar Spine ◽

Facet Joint ◽

Ct Scans ◽

Individual Risk ◽

Facet Joints ◽

Lumbar Facet Joint ◽

Individual Risk Factor ◽

Significant Difference ◽

Lumbar Facet ◽

Joint Arthritis

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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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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In vivo relationships between lumbar facet joint and intervertebral disc composition and diurnal deformation

Clinical Biomechanics ◽

10.1016/j.clinbiomech.2021.105425 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 105425

Author(s):

Alexander B. Oldweiler ◽

John T. Martin

Keyword(s):

Intervertebral Disc ◽

Facet Joint ◽

Lumbar Facet Joint ◽

Lumbar Facet

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The Effect of Various Weight-bearing Activity on the Motion of the Lumbar Facet Joints in Vivo

10.21203/rs.3.rs-419588/v1 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Wangqiang Wen ◽

Haoxiang Xu ◽

Zepei Zhang ◽

Jincheng Wu ◽

Hanpeng Xu ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Lumbar Spine ◽

Statistical Difference ◽

Rotation Angle ◽

Weight Bearing ◽

Facet Joints ◽

Motion Pattern ◽

Left And Right ◽

Lumbar Facet ◽

Lumbar Facet Joints

Abstract Background: Lumbar facet joints (LFJ) are usually related to the pathogenesis of the spine, but the quantification of normal FJ motion is still limited to in vitro studies, animal models, and imaging analysis. Few people report the in vivo kinematics of facet joints. There has always been a debate about whether it can induce biomechanical changes in the motion pattern of the facet joints after weight-bearing, resulting in the degeneration of the facet joints and osteoarthritis.Methods: A total of 10 healthy volunteers, 5 males , and 5 females, aged 21≤39 years, with an average age of 32±5 years, were recruited. Using the combination of DFIS and CT, the sagittal images of L3-S1 segments scanned by CT were transformed into three-dimensional reconstruction models and then matched to the instantaneous images of lumbar spine motion taken by a double fluorescent X-ray system under different loads. To reproduce the instantaneous motion state of lumbar vertebrae in different positions (supine position, standing position, flexion-extension position, left-right bending, left-right rotation) under different loads(0kg,10kg), assisted by computer-related software, in vivo human LFJ 6-DOF kinematics were obtained.Result: In flexion and extension exercises: there is no statistical difference in the horizontal rotation angle (α, β, r) of each segment after weight-bearing. The coupling translations are significantly reduced in the left and right direction of the L34 segment (P<0.05). In the L45 segment, the articular process was significantly reduced in the anteroposterior direction (left P<0.05). In lateral bending: the main rotation axis rotation range was different after weight-bearing, L45 decreased (P=0.023), and L5S1 decreased significantly (P=0.021), there is no difference in the coupling rotation range, the coupling translations only decreases in the left and right direction of the L34 segment (P<0.05); in the rotation movement: the horizontal rotation angle of each segment after the load (α, β, r) There was no statistical difference. The coupling translation was only in the L5/S1 segment and decreased in the craniocaudal direction (P<0.05). In the three movements, the asymmetric movement of the left and right articular processes occurred in the L34 segment (P<0.05), and the maximum translations after weight-bearing were found at L5/S1.Conclusion: Increased weight-bearing will affect the motion pattern of lumbar facet joints. The asymmetric movement of the left and right sides of the L34 segment is related to the asymmetry of the facet. The increase in translation of L5/S1 after weight-bearing compared with other segments may be related to the anatomical structure of the facet joint morphology deviated to the coronal position and frontal plane. Through the analysis of the body motion data of the lumbar facet joints before and after the weight-bearing, the relationship with the lumbar spine-related diseases is obtained. And it can provide a reference for guiding healthy lifestyles, clinical surgical procedures, and new spinal implants.

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