Jove
Visualize
Contact Us
JoVE
x logofacebook logolinkedin logoyoutube logo
ABOUT JoVE
OverviewLeadershipBlogJoVE Help Center
AUTHORS
Publishing ProcessEditorial BoardScope & PoliciesPeer ReviewFAQSubmit
LIBRARIANS
TestimonialsSubscriptionsAccessResourcesLibrary Advisory BoardFAQ
RESEARCH
JoVE JournalMethods CollectionsJoVE Encyclopedia of ExperimentsArchive
EDUCATION
JoVE CoreJoVE BusinessJoVE Science EducationJoVE Lab ManualFaculty Resource CenterFaculty Site
Terms & Conditions of Use
Privacy Policy
Policies

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jul 11, 2026

Multilevel Oblique Lumbar Interbody Fusion in Degenerative Lumbar Disc Disease with Instability
11:30

Multilevel Oblique Lumbar Interbody Fusion in Degenerative Lumbar Disc Disease with Instability

Published on: July 25, 2025

Lumbar intervertebral instability: a review.

Antonio Leone1, Giuseppe Guglielmi, Victor N Cassar-Pullicino

  • 1Department of Radiology, Catholic University, School of Medicine, Largo A. Gemelli 8, 00168 Rome, and Department of Radiology, Scientific Institute Hospital Casa Sollievo della Sofferenza, San Giovanni Rotondo, Italy. a.leonemd@tiscali.it

Radiology
|September 22, 2007
PubMed
Summary

Lumbar intervertebral instability is a debated cause of low back pain. Functional radiography is a common diagnostic tool, but its effectiveness in diagnosing this condition remains unclear.

Related Concept Videos

Herniated Intervertebral Disc l: Introduction01:29

Herniated Intervertebral Disc l: Introduction

Intervertebral disc herniation refers to the displacement of the nucleus pulposus (the gel-like inner core of the disc) through a tear or weakened area in the annulus fibrosus (the outer fibrous ring). The displaced disc material extends beyond the normal boundaries of the disc space and may compress or irritate nearby spinal nerve roots or, less commonly, the spinal cord.Etiology and Risk FactorsHerniation commonly results from degeneration, in which aging reduces disc hydration and...

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by
Same author

Accidental fish bone ingestion complicated by gastric abscess: A case report.

Radiology case reports·2026
Same author

Massive mitral annular calcification with valvular involvement: Multimodality and longitudinal imaging correlation.

Radiology case reports·2026
Same author

CT-Centered Multimodality Imaging of Arterial Wall Fragility in Acute Aortic Syndromes: A Narrative Review of Imaging Markers and Clinical Implications.

Journal of cardiovascular development and disease·2026
Same author

Advanced Multimodality Cardiovascular Imaging in Patients at Very High Cardiovascular Risk Without a Previous Cardiovascular Event: Current Knowledge and Future Perspectives.

Journal of cardiovascular development and disease·2026
Same author

Native T1 Mapping and Clinical Risk Characterization in Non-Ischemic Dilated Cardiomyopathy: A Cardiac Magnetic Resonance Study.

Journal of cardiovascular development and disease·2026
Same author

History of MSK Section of the Italian Society of Radiology.

Seminars in musculoskeletal radiology·2026

Area of Science:

  • Orthopedics and Spine Surgery
  • Radiology and Medical Imaging
  • Biomechanics

Background:

  • Lumbar intervertebral instability is implicated in low back pain and sciatica, influencing surgical decisions for spinal fusion.
  • The condition is poorly understood, with ongoing debate regarding its definition, diagnosis, and treatment.
  • Clinical symptoms are nonspecific, and the link between radiographic findings and patient symptoms is controversial.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To provide an overview of current concepts regarding vertebral instability, particularly degenerative lumbar intervertebral instability.
  • To review imaging modalities used in diagnosing vertebral instability.

Main Methods:

  • Review of current literature on lumbar intervertebral instability.
  • Focus on functional flexion-extension radiography as a widely used diagnostic method.

More Related Videos

A Mouse Model of Lumbar Spine Instability
05:28

A Mouse Model of Lumbar Spine Instability

Published on: April 23, 2021

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Jul 11, 2026

Multilevel Oblique Lumbar Interbody Fusion in Degenerative Lumbar Disc Disease with Instability
11:30

Multilevel Oblique Lumbar Interbody Fusion in Degenerative Lumbar Disc Disease with Instability

Published on: July 25, 2025

A Mouse Model of Lumbar Spine Instability
05:28

A Mouse Model of Lumbar Spine Instability

Published on: April 23, 2021

  • Discussion of various imaging modalities indicated for diagnosing vertebral instability.

    • Main Results:

    • Functional flexion-extension radiography is the most studied and utilized imaging method due to its accessibility and low cost.
    • Despite its use, controversy persists regarding the diagnostic accuracy and clinical correlation of radiographic findings.

    Conclusions:

    • Degenerative lumbar intervertebral instability remains a complex and controversial topic in spinal diagnostics.
    • Further research is needed to clarify diagnostic criteria and the role of imaging in managing low back pain and sciatica.