Correlations Between Lumbar CT Imaging Characteristics and the Degree of Facet Joint Degeneration

STUDY DESIGN: Age- and sex-matched patient groups, as well as healthy controls, were selected to measure the parameters of lumbar facet joints using CT images. The differences in these parameters were compared, and their relationship with the degree of facet joint degeneration was analyzed. OBJECTIVE: This study aims to reveal the differences in facet joint parameters between individuals with low back pain symptoms and those without such symptoms. In addition, it analyzes the relationships between these quantitative parameters and facet joint osteoarthritis (FJOA). SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: A total of 49 patients diagnosed with facet joint origin low back pain were collected between January 2022 and January 2023. Concurrently, 49 healthy subjects were included as the control group. METHODS: The parameters of the facet joints were measured on CT images at the L3, L4, and L5 levels. The Weishaupt radiographic grading system was employed to evaluate the extent of degeneration of the facet joints. Subsequently, the differences in these parameters across various lumbar segments and their relationships with the degree of facet joint degeneration were analyzed. RESULTS: (1) No significant correlation was observed between the thickness or density of the facet joint cortical bone and FJOA. However, both the cortical thickness and density of the lumbar facet joints exhibited a significant negative correlation with age. (2) In both the patient and healthy control (HC) groups across all study levels, the thickness and density of the lumbar facet joint cortical bone were significantly positively correlated. (3) Facet joint space width (FJW) demonstrated a significant negative correlation with the severity of FJOA in both the patient and HC groups. CONCLUSIONS: The CT imaging characteristics of the FJOA score demonstrated significant differences between the patient group and the HC group, and were closely associated with the degeneration grade. Furthermore, the FJW serves as a reliable indicator for evaluating the severity of FJOA.