Preoperative facet joint arthropathy does not impact long-term clinical outcomes after lumbar-stability-preserving decompression and dynesys fixation.

To evaluate the impact of the preoperative severity of facet joint arthropathy on long-term functional outcomes and spinopelvic parameters in patients undergoing lumbar-stability-preserving decompression and Dynesys fixation. In this retrospective study, 88 patients undergoing combined surgery at our hospital from 2008 to 2015 were included. The patients were divided into two groups, the less and more than mean degeneration groups, based on preoperative facet joint arthropathy of the index level(s). The clinical outcomes were the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) score, the Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) score and spinopelvic parameters. The mean follow-up durations for the less and more than mean degeneration groups were 84.83 ± 27.58 and 92.83 ± 20.45 months, respectively. The combined surgery significantly improved VAS and ODI scores, and increased sacral slope (SS) regardless of preoperative arthropathy severity. In addition, facet joint arthropathy at adjacent levels continued to worsen after surgery in both arthropathy severity groups. Preoperative facet joint arthropathy did not influence most long-term clinical outcomes in patients undergoing lumbar-stability-preserving decompression and Dynesys fixation. This combined surgery may be suitable for patients with facet joint arthropathy regardless of disease severity.

Clinical Results of Unilateral Dynamic Rod Application in the Short-Medium Period.

AIM: To evaluate the clinical results of patients who underwent unilateral dynamic rod stabilization after unilateral facet joint excision during spinal surgery. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Twenty patients who were diagnosed with degenerative spinal disease or spinal tumor, who were operated on using a unilateral approach, who underwent facet joint resection, and who were stabilized with a unilateral dynamic rod were examined. Visual analog scale (VAS) and Oswestry disability index (ODI) scores were used to clinically evaluate the cases during the preoperative and postoperative periods. Radiological examinations for sagittal alignment, segmental angle, and bone fusion were also conducted. RESULTS: The mean preoperative VAS and ODI scores were 7.6 and 71.7, respectively, and the 12 < sup > th < /sup > postoperative month scores were 1.1 and 12.8, respectively. The mean segmental angle measurements were 22.1° in the preoperative period and 21.6° at the postoperative 12 < sup > th < /sup > month. No deterioration in sagittal alignment and no bone fusion were observed. CONCLUSION: We can protect segmental movements and provide sufficient stability by applying unilateral dynamic rod stabilization after unilateral facetectomy. In addition, applying screws to one side can reduce operation time and cost as well as the possibility of complications.

The Correlation Between Facet Tropism and Intervertebral Disc Herniation in the Subaxial Cervical Spine.

STUDY DESIGN: A retrospective case-control study. OBJECTIVE: Investigating the correlation between the facet tropism (FT) and subaxial cervical disc herniation (CDH). SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: Although debatable, it was widely reported that FT was associated with lumbar disc herniation. However, the exact correlation between FT and subaxial CDH is still unclear. METHODS: Two-hundred patients with any disc herniation at C3/4, C4/5, C5/6, or C6/7 and 50 normal participants without CDH (normal control group) were included in this study. For patients, the cervical levels with CDH and the levels without herniation were classified into the "herniation group" and "patient control group," respectively. Bilateral facet joint angles at C3/4, C4/5, C5/6, and C6/7 on sagittal, axial, and coronal planes were measured on computed tomography (CT). The disc degeneration at each level was assessed on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). RESULTS: Both the mean difference between left and right facet angles and tropism incidence in herniation group were significantly greater than those in two control groups whenever at C3/4, C4/5, C5/6, or C6/7 level and whenever on sagittal, axial, or coronal plane. The mean differences of angles and tropism incidences in most patient control groups were not significantly greater than those of corresponding normal control groups. The incidence of greater facet angle at the left or right side was not significantly different among the left, central, and right herniation groups. The mean disc degeneration grades in both herniation and patient control groups were significantly higher than those in normal control groups while no difference between herniation and patient control groups. CONCLUSION: The FT on the sagittal, axial, and coronal planes are all associated with CDH in the subaxial cervical spine. The greater facet angle at the left or right side does not affect the side of herniation. The severity of cervical disc degeneration is not associated with FT.Level of Evidence: 3.

Biomechanical properties of a novel nonfusion artificial vertebral body for anterior lumbar vertebra resection and internal fixation.

The aim of the study was to evaluate the biomechanical properties of a novel nonfused artificial vertebral body in treating lumbar diseases and to compare with those of the fusion artificial vertebral body. An intact finite element model of the L1-L5 lumbar spine was constructed and validated. Then, the finite element models of the fusion group and nonfusion group were constructed by replacing the L3 vertebral body and adjacent intervertebral discs with prostheses. For all finite element models, an axial preload of 500 N and another 10 N m imposed on the superior surface of L1. The range of motion and stress peaks in the adjacent discs, endplates, and facet joints were compared among the three groups. The ranges of motion of the L1-2 and L4-5 discs in flexion, extension, left lateral bending, right lateral bending, left rotation and right rotation were greater in the fusion group than those in the intact group and nonfusion group. The fusion group induced the greatest stress peaks in the adjacent discs and adjacent facet joints compared to the intact group and nonfusion group. The nonfused artificial vertebral body could better retain mobility of the surgical site after implantation (3.6°-8.7°), avoid increased mobility and stress of the adjacent discs and facet joints.

The effect of lumbar facet joint injection levels on spinopelvic parameters and functional outcome.

BACKGROUND: Low back pain is a very common musculoskeletal complaint that impacts patients' quality of life in numerous ways. Facet joint injection is a widely used spinal intervention to relieve back pain. Effects of facet joint injection on spinopelvic parameters and the relationship between injection levels and spinopelvic parameter changes have not been evaluated before. OBJECTIVE: To compare spinopelvic parameters before and after injections at different levels, and to evaluate the correlation between these changes and functional outcome. METHODS: 144 patients were included in the study and retrospectively grouped by injection level: Group 1 (n= 72), L4-L5 and L5-S1, and group 2 (n= 72), L1-L2, L2-L3, L3-L4, L4-L5 and L5-S1. Pre- and post-injection Oswestry Disability Index (ODI), sacral slope, pelvic tilt, pelvic incidence, and intervertebral angles between T12 and S1 were compared. The correlation between ODI and radiographic parameter changes was evaluated. RESULTS: The pre- to post-injection ODI change was significantly lower in group 2 (p= 0.010). There was no significant difference between the groups in terms of pre- and post-injection spinopelvic parameters before and after injection (p> 0.05) except pelvic tilt (p= 0.001 and p= 0.007, respectively). There was a significant moderate positive correlation between the change in the ODI value and the change in pelvic tilt (P= 0.012, r= 0.581). CONCLUSIONS: Multilevel lumbar facet injections are clinically more effective than only two-level lower level lumbar injections. Pelvic tilt changes positively correlate with the ODI score changes.

Facet Joint Replacement: Intermediate- and Long-Term Outcome in a Large Case Series.

BACKGROUND: The long-term outcome of facet joint replacement (FJR) still is to be proven. METHODS: We present a prospective case series of 26 (male-to-female ratio of 1:1; mean age: 61 years) patients undergoing FJR with a follow-up of at least 1 year (range: 12-112; mean: 67 months). Visual analog scale (VAS) for back and leg pain, Oswestry Disability Index (ODI), and the 12-Item Short Form Health Survey (SF-12) were applied pre- and postoperatively (after 3, 6, and 12 months) as well as at the last follow-up (N = 24). Using X-rays of the lumbar spine (N = 20), the range of motion (ROM) and disk height in the indicator and adjacent levels were assessed. RESULTS: FJR was performed at L3/L4 (N = 7), L4/L5 (N = 17), and L5/S1 (N = 2). Mean VAS (mm) for back pain decreased from 71 to 18, mean VAS for right leg pain from 61 to 7, and from 51 to 3 for the left leg. Mean ODI dropped from 51 to 22% (for all p < 0.01). Eighty seven percent of patients were satisfied and pretreatment activities were completely regained in 78.3% of patients. Disk height at the indicator and adjacent levels and ROM at the indicator segment and the entire lumbar spine were preserved. No loosening of implants was observed. Explantation of FJR and subsequent fusion had to be performed in four cases (15.4%). CONCLUSIONS: In selected cases, long-term results of FJR show good outcome concerning pain, quality of life, preservation of lumbar spine motion, and protection of adjacent level.

Facet Tropism in Lumbar Spine and Cervical Spine: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

BACKGROUND: Facet tropism (FT) refers to the difference in the orientation of facet joints with respect to each other in the sagittal plane. FT leads to unequal biomechanical forces on facet joint and intervertebral disc during rotation and other physiologic movements. Most of the studies have reported the incidence of FT in the lumbar spine to vary between 40% and 70%, with L4-5 level being the most commonly afflicted level. The objective of this study was to find the association between FT and various lumbar and cervical degenerative disorders. METHODS: A systematic search of PubMed was performed with the keywords "facet tropism" and "facet asymmetry." Data for meta-analysis were extracted from the studies to obtain pooled impact of FT on lumbar disc herniation (LDH) and lumbar degenerative spondylolisthesis (LDS). RESULTS: Eighty-two articles were included in the systematic review and 18 studies had the required data to be included in the meta-analysis. The pooled standard mean difference between FT angles in patients with or without LDH was 0.31 with (P = 0.04). The pooled odds ratio for FT in patients with LDH was 3.27 with (P = 0.02). Subgroup analysis showed that there is no significant difference in the L3/4, L4/5, and L5S1 subgroups. The pooled standard mean difference between FT angles in patients with or without LDS was 0.54 (P = 0.009). CONCLUSIONS: FT is significantly associated with LDH and LDS along with various other lumbar and cervical degenerative diseases.

Outcome of Osteophytes After Only-Fixation as Treatment for Multilevel Cervical Spondylosis-A Minimum of 12 Months Follow-Up.

OBJECTIVE: This report analyzes the significance of osteophytes in the overall pathologic scheme in patients with single-level or multilevel cervical spinal degeneration. METHODS: From January 2010 to December 2018, 249 patients with cervical spondylosis were surgically treated. The alterations in ventral compression caused by disc bulges, osteophytes, and ligament buckling (disc-osteophye-ligament [DOL] complex) at single or multiple levels were evaluated after surgical treatment that involved only spinal fixation and did not involve any kind of bone or soft tissue decompression. Delayed (≥1 year after surgery) postoperative imaging was available in 165 patients and these patients formed the study group. Forty-five patients underwent facet distraction arthrodesis (group A), 106 patients underwent only-fixation involving transarticular screw insertion (group B), and 14 patients underwent hybrid fixation that involved both intra-articular spacers and transarticular fixation techniques (group C) as the surgical treatment. RESULTS: The size of the DOL complex at the segments that underwent fixation was reduced in 136 patients. The size of the DOL complex or its related dural or neural compression did not increase in any of the cases evaluated. Reduction in the size of DOL was more pronounced in patients in group A in both immediate postoperative and delayed images and in patients in group C at spinal levels at which facet distraction was performed using facet distraction spacers. CONCLUSIONS: Spinal stabilization reduces the size of osteophytes. Facet distraction spacers are more effective in reduction of the size of DOL in both immediate and delayed postoperative periods.

Effects of massage therapy for patients with thoracic facet joint disorders: A protocol for systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Thoracic facet joint disorder is a common thoracic disorder in clinic, inducing pain and discomfort at the dislocated thoracic vertebrae, radiating to pain of the neck and back. The incidence of thoracic facet joint disorder is higher than the facet disorder of the cervical and lumbar vertebrae. Therefore, an ideal strategy to relieve thoracic facet joint disorder is urgently needed. In recent years, massage therapy has been increasingly accepted by thoracic facet joint disorder patients due to its lower costs, fewer unwanted side effects and safety for clinical use. In this systematic review, we aim to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of massage therapy for patients with thoracic facet joint disorder. METHODS: We will search the following electronic databases for randomized controlled trials to evaluate the effectiveness of massage therapy in treating thoracic facet joint disorder: Wanfang and PubMed Database, CNKI, CENTRAL, CINAHL and EMBASE. Each database will be searched from inception to October 2020. The entire process will include study selection, data extraction, risk of bias assessment and meta-analyses. RESULTS: This proposed study will evaluate the effectiveness of massage therapy for patients with thoracic facet joint disorder. CONCLUSIONS: This proposed systematic review will evaluate the existing evidence on the effectiveness and safety of massage therapy for patients with thoracic facet joint disorder. DISSEMINATION AND ETHICS: The results of this review will be disseminated through peer-reviewed publication. Because all of the data used in this systematic review and meta-analysis has been published, this review does not require ethical approval. Furthermore, all data will be analyzed anonymously during the review process. OSF REGISTRATION NUMBER: DOI 10.17605/OSF.IO/XMEJD.

Characterization of the Subchondral Bone and Pain Behavior Changes in a Novel Bipedal Standing Mouse Model of Facet Joint Osteoarthritis.

BACKGROUND: The subchondral bone parallels with the progression of osteoarthritis (OA). However, the biomechanical properties and histopathological changes of subchondral bone changes in the lumbar facet joint (LFJ) after long-term axial loading on the spine have not been explored. In this study, we aimed to investigate the subchondral bone histopathological changes that occur in the LFJ and pain behaviors in a novel bipedal standing mouse model. METHODS: Sixteen 8-week-old male C57BL/6 mice were randomly assigned into bipedal standing and control groups. A finite element stimulate model based on the micro-CT data was generated to simulate the von Mises stress distribution on the LFJ during different positions. The spine pain behaviors tests were analysis. In addition, the change in the subchondral bone of the LFJ was assessed by histological and immunohistochemistry staining. RESULTS: The computerized simulation of the von Mises stress distribution in the superior articular process of LFJ at the spine level 5 in the lying position increased and reached a maximum value at the bipedal standing posture. The spine pain behavior test revealed that the threshold of pressure tolerance decreased significantly in bipedal groups relative to control groups, whereas the mechanical hyperalgesia of the hind paw increased significantly in bipedal groups relative to control groups. The axial load accelerates LFJ degeneration with increased histological scores in bipedal groups. The expression of type II collagen and aggrecan (ACAN) was significantly decreased in the bipedal groups compared with the control groups, whereas the expression of MMP13 was increased. Compared with the control groups, the osteoclast activity was activated with higher TRAP-positive staining and associated with increased CD-31-positive vessels and GCRP-positive nerve ending expression in the subchondral bone of LFJ. CONCLUSION: Collectively, long-term axial loading induces the development of spine hyperalgesia in mice associate with increased osteoclast activity and aberrant angiogenesis and nerve invasion into the subchondral bone of LFJ that stimulates the natural pathological change in human LFJ OA. These results indicate that aberrant bone remodeling associate with aberrant nerve innervation in the subchondral bone has a potential as a therapeutic target in LFJ OA pain.

Medial Branch Blocks for Diagnosis of Facet Joint Pain Etiology and Use in Chronic Pain Litigation.

A commonly disputed medicolegal issue is the documentation of the location, degree, and anatomical source of an injured plaintiff's ongoing pain, particularly when the painful region is in or near the spine, and when the symptoms have arisen as result of a relatively low speed traffic crash. The purpose of our paper is to provide health and legal practitioners with strategies to identify the source of cervical pain and to aid triers of fact (decision makers) in reaching better informed conclusions. We review the medical evidence for the applications and reliability of cervical medial branch nerve blocks as an indication of painful spinal facets. We also present legal precedents for the legal admissibility of the results of such diagnostic testing as evidence of chronic spine pain after a traffic crash. Part of the reason for the dispute is the subjective nature of pain, and the fact that medical documentation of pain complaints relies primarily on the history given by the patient. A condition that can be documented objectively is chronic cervical spine facet joint pain, as demonstrated by medial branch block (injection). The diagnostic accuracy of medial branch blocks has been extensively described in the scientific medical literature, and evidence of facet blocks to objectively document chronic post-traumatic neck pain has been accepted as scientifically reliable in courts and tribunals in the USA, Canada and the United Kingdom. We conclude that there is convincing scientific medical evidence that the results of cervical facet blocks provide reliable objective evidence of chronic post-traumatic spine pain, suitable for presentation to an adjudicative decision maker.

Morphometric analysis of the patterns of calcaneal facets for the talus in Serbian population.

Literature describes different patterns of calcaneal facets for the talus in terms of whether some calcaneal facets are connected or separated from each other or completely absent. The aim of this study was to establish the patterns of calcaneal facets for the talus, to calculate their total area, and to analyse the data with respect to gender. The study involved 59 calcanei which were photographed. The patterns of calcaneal facets noted in this study were compared with the patterns from the literature. ImageJ program was used to measure different parameters on calcanei. The pattern 1 was the most commonly found in the study sample (45.76%), then the pattern 2 (40.68%), and finally the pattern 3 (13.56%). That order of frequencies is the same in both sexes. The patterns 1 and 2 have a larger contact surface for the talus in comparison to the pattern 3. Male bones have a larger contact surface for the talus than female bones. The sum of the pattern 1 and pattern 3 frequencies was high. Knowing the frequency of different patterns of calcaneal facets for the talus in a certain population is important for orthopaedic surgeons when performing foot osteotomy.

Does ultrasound-guided facet joint injection reduce pain and improve mobility in patients with failed back surgery syndrome?

OBJECTIVES: This study aims to evaluate whether ultrasound (US)-guided facet joint injection reduces pain and improves mobility in patients with failed back surgery syndrome (FBSS). PATIENTS AND METHODS: This retrospective study included 27 patients (8 males, 19 females; mean age 43.6±11.5 years; range, 31 to 54 years) who underwent US-guided facet injections for FBSS between January 2017 and January 2019. Patients' medial records were assessed. Pain rating scores were evaluated with the Numeric Rating Scale (NRS). Functional status was assessed with Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) version 2.0. Lumbar flexion degree was noted. After injection (lidocaine-betamethasone mixture), patients were reevaluated at first and sixth months. The study data were analyzed with Wilcoxon signed-rank test. RESULTS: Successful facet joint injections were achieved without any complications in all patients. The median duration of time after surgery was 7.8±1.3 months. Mean duration of pain was 6.7±5.7 months. There was a significant decrease in NRS values between baseline and sixth month comparison (7.0 at baseline and 6.0 at sixth month, p=0.006). Baseline-first month and first-sixth months comparisons were not significant (p=0.165 and p=0.106, respectively). For ODI, no significant change was observed between baseline-first month, first-sixth months, and baseline-sixth month comparisons (p=0.109, p=0.857, and p=0.095, respectively). For lumbar flexion, all comparisons resulted in significant increase (50.0° for baseline, 60.0° at first month, and 70.0° at sixth month; p<0.001 for baseline-first month comparison, p<0.001 for baseline-sixth month comparison, and p<0.001 for first-sixth months comparison). CONCLUSION: Our results show that pain is reduced and mobility is improved with US-guided facet joint injections in patients with FBSS.

Magnetic Resonance Imaging Investigation of Cervical-Spine Meniscoid Composition: A Validation Study.

OBJECTIVE: The composition of cervical-spine meniscoids may have clinical significance in neck-pain conditions, but the accuracy of assessment of meniscoid composition in vivo using magnetic resonance imaging has not been established. The aim of this study was to compare cervical-spine meniscoid composition by magnetic resonance imaging with histologic composition. METHODS: Four embalmed cadaveric cervical spines (mean [standard deviation] age, 79.5 [3.7] years; 1 female, 3 male) underwent magnetic resonance imaging, allowing radiologic classification of lateral atlantoaxial- and zygapophyseal-joint (C2-3 to C6-7) meniscoids as either mostly fatty, mixed tissue, or mostly connective tissue. Subsequently, each joint was dissected and disarticulated to allow excision of meniscoids for histologic processing. Each meniscoid was sectioned sagittally, stained with hematoxylin and eosin, examined using light microscopy, and classified as adipose, fibroadipose, or fibrous in composition. Data were analyzed using the kappa statistic with linear weighting. RESULTS: From dissection, 62 meniscoids were identified, excised, and processed; 46 of these 62 were visualized with magnetic resonance imaging. For single-rater identifying structures, agreement between assessment of meniscoid composition by magnetic resonance imaging and by microscopy was fair (κ = 0.24; 95% confidence interval, 0.02-0.46; P = .02). CONCLUSION: Findings suggest that the accuracy of this method of magnetic resonance imaging assessment of cervical-spine meniscoid composition may be limited. This should be considered when planning or interpreting research investigating meniscoid composition using magnetic resonance imaging.

Effect of facet-joint degeneration on the in vivo motion of the lower lumbar spine.

OBJECTIVE: This research studied the in vivo motion characteristics of the L3-S1 lumbar spine with facet-joint degeneration during functional activities. METHODS: Thirteen male and 21 female patients with facet-joint degeneration at the L3-S1 spinal region were included in the study. The L3-S1 lumbar segments of all the patients were divided into 3 groups according to the degree of facet-joints degeneration (mild, moderate, or severe). The ranges of motion (ROM) of the vertebrae were analyzed using a combination of computed tomography and dual fluoroscopic imaging techniques. During functional postures, the ROMs were compared between the 3 groups at each spinal level (L3-L4, L4-L5, and L5-S1). RESULTS: At L3-L4 level, the primary rotations between the mild and moderate groups during left-right twisting activity were significantly different. At L4-L5 level, the primary rotation of the moderate group was significantly higher than the other groups during flexion-extension. During left-right bending activities, a significant difference was observed only between the moderate and severe groups. At L5-S1 level, the rotation of the moderate group was significantly higher than the mild group during left-right bending activity. CONCLUSIONS: Degeneration of the facet joint alters the ROMs of the lumbar spine. As the degree of facet-joint degeneration increased, the ROMs of the lumbar vertebra that had initially increased declined. However, when there was severe facet-joint degeneration, the ROMs of the lumbar spine declined to levels comparative to the moderate group. The relationship between the stability of the lumbar vertebra and the degree of facet-joint degeneration requires further study.

Facet Tropism and Orientation: Risk Factors for Degenerative Lumbar Spinal Stenosis.

The aim of this study is to establish whether facet tropism (FT) and orientation (FO) are associated with degenerative lumbar spinal stenosis (DLSS). A retrospective computerized tomography (CT) study including 274 individuals was divided into two groups: control (82 males and 81 females) and stenosis (59 males and 52 females). All participants have undergone high-resolution CT scan of the lumbar spine in the same position. FT and FO were measured at L1-2 to L5-S1. Significant sagittal FO was noted in the stenosis males (L2-3 to L4-5) and females (L2-3 to L5-S1) compared to the controls. The prevalence of FT was remarkably greater in the stenosis males (L4-5, L5-S1) and females (L3-4, L5-S1) compared to their counterparts in the control group. Our results also showed that FT (L3-4 to L5-S1) increases approximately 2.9 times the likelihood for DLSS development. This study indicates that FO and FT in the lower lumbar spine are significantly associated with DLSS.

Biomechanical evaluation of autologous bone-cage in posterior lumbar interbody fusion: a finite element analysis.

BACKGROUND: An autologous bone-cage made from the spinous process and laminae might provide a stability in posterior lumbar interbody fusion (PLIF) close that of the traditional-cage made of polyetheretherketone (PEEK) or titanium. The biomechanical effect of autologous bone-cages on cage stability, stress, and strains, and on the facet contact force has not been fully described. This study aimed to verify whether autologous bone-cages can achieve similar performance as that of PEEK cages in PLIF by using a finite element analysis. METHODS: The finite element models of PLIF with an autologous bone-cage, a titanium cage, and a PEEK cage were constructed. The autologous bone-cage was compared with the titanium and PEEK cages. The mechanical properties of the autologous bone-cage were obtained through mechanical tests. The four motion modes were simulated. The range of motion (ROM), the stress in the cage-end plate interface, and the facet joint force (FJF) were compared. RESULTS: The ROM was increased at adjacent levels but decreased over 97% at the treated levels, and the intradiscal pressure at adjacent levels was increased under all conditions in all models. The FJF disappeared at treated levels and increased under extension, lateral bending, and lateral rotation in all models. The maximum stress of the cage-endplate interface was much lower in the autologous bone-cage model than those in the PEEK and titanium cage models. CONCLUSIONS: In a finite model of PLIF, the autologous bone-cage model could achieve stability close that of traditional titanium or PEEK cages, reducing the risk of subsidence.

Effect of muscle energy techniques and facet joint mobilization on spinal curvature in patients with mechanical neck pain: A pilot study.

Neck is one of the most common site of musculoskeletal symptom manifestations. An impaired spinal curvature is a common finding in patients with mechanical neck pain. A pre-post quasi experimental pilot study was conducted at Fauji Foundation Hospital from January- March 2017,in which 12 patients with mechanical neck pain and straightening of the cervical spine were included and treated for 7 consecutive sessions consisting of muscle energy techniques (MET) in combination with facet joint mobilization. The objective of this study was to determine the effects of MET and facet joint mobilization on spinal curvature and functional outcomes in patients with neck pain. Outcome measurement tools that were included comprised of pain severity, neck disability index (NDI), cervical lordosis which was measured via x-ray based posterior tangential method, goniometry for cervical range of motion (ROM) and modified sphygmomanometer dynamometry (MSD) for isometric muscle strength. A significant difference was observed in pre and post treatment scores for all outcomes (p<0.05); demonstrating an effective combination therapy in terms of improved spinal curvature, pain, disability, ROM and isometric muscle strength.

Evaluation of age-related changes in lumbar facet joints using T2 mapping.

BACKGROUND: The purpose in this study is to investigate the T2 value of lumbar facet joint (FJ) in subjects without lumbar spinal disorders, age from 20s to 70s, using T2 mapping, and to evaluate the correlation between age and T2 value. And also, we investigated the T2 value of lumbar intervertebral disc (IVD) in the same way as FJ, and evaluated the correlation between the T2 value of FJ and that of IVD. METHODS: We investigated 60 volunteers (30 male, 30 female), who were recruited from six age groups, 20s-70s (10 subjects in each decade; 5 male, 5 female). We measured the T2 values of FJ at the L4/5 level in axial image and those of IVD (nucleus pulposus; NP, anterior and posterior annulus fibrosus; AAF and PAF) at the L4/5 level in midline sagittal image. We investigated the correlation between age and T2 value of FJ, and the correlation between the T2 value of FJ and that of IVD. RESULTS: There was a strong positive correlation between age and T2 value of FJ (r = 0.717). Age and T2 values of IVD were negatively correlated (NP; r = -0.728, AAF; r = -0.696, PAF; r = -0.580). There was a negative correlation between T2 value of FJ and that of IVD (NP; r = -0.575, AAF; r = -0.617, PAF; r = -0.492). CONCLUSIONS: T2 value of FJ was significantly increased as age rose. Our results suggest that T2 mapping could detect the degenerative changes of FJ related to aging even in subjects without lumbar spinal disorders. The results of this study will be the reference data of FJ T2 value in order to evaluate the relationship between low back pain and FJ using T2 mapping.

Increased Substance P Immunoreactivity in Ipsilateral Knee Cartilage of Rats Exposed to Lumbar Spine Injury.

OBJECTIVE: The present study aimed to investigate whether experimentally induced lumbar facet-joint OA lead to degenerative changes and enhanced SP expression within the ipsilateral neurosegmentally linked tibiofemoral cartilage. METHODS: Adult male Sprague-Dawley rats were assigned to left side L5-L6 facet mechanical compression injury (surgery) (n = 6), L5-L6 facet exposure with no compression (sham) (n = 5), or naïve (no surgery) (n = 4) groups. The morphology of the tibiofemoral articular cartilage was assessed using a modified Mankin scoring system. Immunohistochemistry was used to examine the density of chondrocytes stained positive for SP (cells/cm2) in the ipsilateral tibiofemoral cartilage at 28 days postintervention. RESULTS: Tibiofemoral cartilage in the surgery group showed consistent loss of superficial zone chondrocytes, mild roughening of the articular surface and occasional chondrocyte clusters as well as a greater density of SP mainly in the superficial cartilage zone compared with sham and naïve groups, although they also had a basic SP-expression. CONCLUSION: Our results support the hypothesis that neurogenic mechanisms may mediate the spread of SP to neurosegmentally linked heterologous joints affecting the distal cartilage homeostasis. These findings contribute additional insight into the potential role of neurogenic inflammation with implications in the pathophysiology of chronic inflammatory joint disease and OA.