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Prevalence of facet joint degeneration in association with intervertebral joint degeneration in a sample of organ donors
Author(s) -
Li Jun,
Muehleman Carol,
Abe Yumiko,
Masuda Koichi
Publication year - 2011
Publication title -
journal of orthopaedic research
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.041
H-Index - 155
eISSN - 1554-527X
pISSN - 0736-0266
DOI - 10.1002/jor.21387
Subject(s) - degeneration (medical) , facet joint , facet (psychology) , medicine , osteoarthritis , intervertebral disc , low back pain , synovial joint , magnetic resonance imaging , lumbar , back pain , anatomy , pathology , radiology , psychology , articular cartilage , social psychology , alternative medicine , personality , big five personality traits
Among the most common causes of low back pain are strain on the muscles and ligaments associated with the spine, degeneration of the intervertebral discs (IVDs), and osteoarthritis of the facet joints. It is not clear, however, how these latter two conditions are related to each other in terms of their development during a patient's lifetime. The facet joint is the sole synovial joint of the spine but because it is difficult to image its degenerative history as well as its relationship to other degenerative factors within the spine remain elusive. We compared the gross and histologic characteristics of the lumbar spine from a sample of organ donors to the integrity of their associated IVDs as assessed through magnetic resonance imaging. In our study sample, we found that facet joint degeneration was common, occurring as early as 15 years of age, while the IVD could still remain intact. Facet degeneration was more severe at the L4/5 level and progressed along with IVD degeneration with age. Because such early degenerative changes in the facet joint are somewhat surprising, degeneration of this joint should not be overlooked when assessing OA of the spine and causes of lower back pain. © 2011 Orthopaedic Research Society Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Orthop Res 29: 1267–1274, 2011