We studied lower lumbar spine segments with posterior vertebral shifts (retrolisthesis) with respect to the orientation of facet joints, disc height, lordosis of the lumbar spine, kyphosis of the thoratic spine, sagittal vertical axis, and orientation of vertebral endplates. Standing total spine radiographs as well as MRI investigations were analyzed. Data from patients with retrolisthesis were compared to data from patients with degenerative spondy lolisthesis (DS), and from patients without signs of vertebral shifts.
The orientation of facet joints in segments with retrolisthesis did not deffer from segments without shifts, whereas the facet joints in patients with DS were oriented more sagittally. Lordosis of the lumbar spine was reduced in patients with retrolisthesis, and significant correlation was found between lordosis and sacral inclination.
