J Korean Orthop Assoc.  2021 Oct;56(5):413-418. 10.4055/jkoa.2021.56.5.413.

Effect of Facet Tropism on the Degeneration of the Cervical Facet Joint and Intervertebral Disc

• Chung SS
• Park CH
• Heo KS

• KMID: 2521201
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.4055/jkoa.2021.56.5.413

Abstract

Purpose
To investigate the effect of facet tropism on the degeneration of facet joint and intervertebral disc in the cervical spine.
Materials and Methods
From January 2017 to December 2018, cervical tropism of 100 patients at the C5/6 level was analyzed retrospectively. In computed tomography (CT), the orientation and tropism of the facet joint with respect to the sagittal, coronal, and horizontal planes were measured. Regression of the facet joint in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and CT was assessed using a grading system. Intervertebral disc degeneration was assessed and divided into five grades on MRI. For the left and right asymmetry, a difference between two facet angles of less than 7° was classified as the control group, more than 7° was classified as the tropism group.
Results
The mean age of the patients was 55.44±12.3 years (31–81 years) in the tropism group and 55.66±10.7 years (32–76 years) in the control group. In the tropism group, 32 were male and 18 were female. In the control group, 24 were male and 26 were female. Facet joint degeneration was identified in 24 patients (48.0%) in the tropism group and 14 patients (28.0%) in the control group, showing a significant difference. Intervertebral disc degeneration was identified in 29 patients (58.0%) in the tropism group and 17 patients (34.0%) in the control group, showing a significant difference. Multivariate revealed, tropism to be a factor that affected the facet joint and intervertebral disc degeneration.
Conclusion
Facet joint and intervertebral disc degeneration occurred significantly in the tropism group, and tropism is a factor affecting the degeneration of facet joint and intervertebral disc in the C5/6 level.

Keyword

facet joint tropism; facet joint degeneration; intervertebral disc degeneration; cervical spine