ROLE OF FACET JOINT ORIENTATION AND FACET TROPISM IN NONSPESIFIC LOW BACK PAIN

Abstract

Background: Low Back Pain is a complaint at least once we experience all through our life. Although low back pain can be caused by several reasons, mostly low back pain due to nonspecific reasons can be encountered. In this study, our main goal is to examine facet tropism types and facet joint orientation in patients with nonspecific low back pain we have grouped according to age and determine if there is a relationship between the low back pain and facet joint morphology. Patients and methods: We have retrospectively examined magnetic resonance imaging of 135 patients who applied to the neurosurgery clinic with low back pain complaint in the period of 2017-2018 year. For each phenomenon, facet joint angles have been measured at all vertebra levels. Average values of facet joint angles have been taken and facet orientation has been determined. The difference between right and left facet joint angle has been calculated; degree and type of facet tropism have been determined. Results: It has been observed that facet joint orientation at L1-2 level was more coronalized in age group of 70-80 when compared to age group of 10-20. ‘No type’ facet tropism has been observed in majority of the phenomenon and no significant difference has been observed between lumbar levels and age groups. Conclusion: As a result of our study; it has been concluded that facet joint orientation and facet tropism are not effective in the etiology of nonspecific low back pain. Furthermore, facet tropism is not related to age and maybe it is an inborn characteristic.

Keywords

• lumbar vertebra
• low back pain
• magnetic resonance imaging
• facet joint angle
• facet tropism