Lumbar Disc and Facet Degeneration: Correlation with Age and Facet Orientation

Objectives: The influence of age on orientation of the facet joint remains controversial. We aimed to examine facet joint degeneration, orientation and their relationships with disc degeneration in a group of patients in different age groups. Patients and Methods: The study included 106 patients with low back pain and/or leg symptoms who had undergone magnetic resonance imaging of L1-S1 lumbar segments. For evaluation of osteoarthritis of the facet joints grading described by Weishaupt et al. and for evaluation of disc degenerations grading by Pfirmann et al. were used. Results: Orientation of the facet joints were similar among age groups. Age was not correlated with facet joint orientation. Facet joint orientation was not corre