An Evaluation of the Facet Joint Angle Characteristics on the Development of Lumbar Disc Hernia in Young Patients

Year 2018, , 229 - 235, 28.09.2018

Ahmet Eroglu , İlhan Yılmaz Metehan Eseoğlu

https://doi.org/10.31362/patd.408161

Abstract

Background: The aim of the current study was to
investigate facet tropism in young patients with lumbar disc hernia (LDH) and the
role of facet tropism in the development of LDH.

 

Methods: The study included 57 patients aged
20-32 years with a diagnosis of LDH and bilateral facet joint angles at L3-4,
L4-5 and L5-S1 levels measured on lumbar magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)
tests. In the comparison of the two facet joint angles, a difference of <7°
was classified as no tropism, 7°-14° as moderate tropism and >14° as severe
tropism. A control group was formed of 46 age-matched healthy individuals with
no lumbar disc hernia.

Results: A total of 618 facet facet angles were
measured, comprising 342 in the 57 patients in the LDH group and 276 in the 46
subjects of the control group. In the LDH group, at the L3-4 level, no tropism
was determined in 46 (80.7%), moderate tropism in 9 (15.7%) and severe tropism
in 2 (3.5%). At the L4-5 level, no tropism was determined in 36 (63.1%),
moderate tropism in 17 (29.8%) and severe tropism in 4 (7%). At the L5-S1
level, no tropism was determined in 33 (57.9%), moderate tropism in 17 (29.8%)
and severe tropism in 7 (12.2%).In the control group, at the L3-4 level, no
tropism was determined in 40 (87%), moderate tropism in 5 (10.9%) and severe
tropism in 1 (2.2%). At the L4-5 level, no tropism was determined in 37
(80.4%), moderate tropism in 8 (17.3%) and severe tropism in 1 (2.1%). At the
L5-S1 level, no tropism was determined in 34 (73.9%), moderate tropism in 7
(15.2%) and severe tropism in 5 (10.9%).

In the
LDH group, the mean facet angle values were 40.4° at L3-4, 42.7° at L4-5 and
45.9° at L5-S1 levels. In the control group, the mean facet angle values were
39.2° at L3-4, 41.4° at L4-5 and 43.9° at L5-S1 levels.

Conclusion: Although facet joint tropism was
seen at a higher rate in the LDH patients than in the control group, the
difference was not statistically significant (p>0.05). The results of the
study did not suggest that facet tropism is a factor in the etiology of LDH.

Keywords

ldh, fac

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