The Orientation of Facet Joints and Transverse Articular Dimension in Degenerative Spondylolisthesis
Warat Tassanawipas MD*, Pinit Chansriwong MD*, Suprija Mokkhavesa MD*
Affiliation : * Department of Orthopedics, Phramongkutklao Hospital, Bangkok, Thailand
Objectives : To determine whether the orientation of facet joints, facet tropism and transverse articular
dimension could play a role in degenerative spondylolisthesis.
Materials and Methods : MRI study of L4-5 level of twenty degenerative spondylolisthesis and age-matched
twenty control group were included. The orientation of facet joints, transverse articular dimension (TAD) and
cosine facet orientation of TAD were measured with two independent observers.
Results : The facet orientation of more than 430 and cosine facet orientation of TAD less than 7.4 were
statistically significant for developing degenerative spondylolisthesis (p < 0.05).
Conclusion : The facet orientation of degenerative spondylolisthesis patients was more sagittal orientation
than the the control group, and the cosine facet orientation of TAD was also less than the control group.
Keywords : Orientation of facet joints, MRI study LS spine, Degenerative spondylolisthesis
