2022 Volume 13 Issue 5 Pages 752-757
Introduction: The pathophysiology of lumbar degenerative spondylolisthesis (LDS) is still unclear. LDS often occurs in middle-aged and older people, but few reports compare the features of LDS by age. This study compared age-specific differences in intervertebral components, such as facet joints and intervertebral discs.
Methods: Patients with LDS who underwent surgery from the 50s to the 80s were randomly selected. Each group had 30 cases (15 males and 15 females), totaling 120 cases. The measurement was carried out using plain X-ray and computed tomography scan. This study investigated facet joint angle, the tropism of the facet joint, sex difference, and the degree of degeneration of the facet joints and intervertebral disc.
Results: The facet joint angle grew gradually shallow with age. There was no significant correlation between the tropism of the facet joint and sex deference. Degeneration of the facet joints was severe throughout all ages. The degeneration of the intervertebral disc was higher in the elderly.
Conclusions: Age-related changes in the spine are said to begin at the intervertebral disc. As a result of degeneration of the intervertebral disc, vertebral body slip may occur when the facet joint and posterior supporting tissue of the vertebra cannot support the vertebral body.
