Related Experiment Videos
Unilateral lumbar facet joint hypertrophy causing nerve root irritation
G P Wilde1, E P Szypryt, R C Mulholland
1Spinal Research Unit, Harlow Wood Orthopaedic Hospital, Mansfield.
Annals of the Royal College of Surgeons of England
|September 1, 1988
Summary
Massive unilateral lumbar facet joint hypertrophy can cause low back pain and nerve root entrapment. Surgical decompression via facetectomy offers favorable outcomes for this rare spinal condition.
Area of Science:
- Orthopedic Surgery
- Neurosurgery
- Radiology
Background:
- Lumbar facet joint hypertrophy is a common degenerative change.
- Massive unilateral hypertrophy is rare and can mimic other spinal pathologies.
Observation:
- Four cases of massive unilateral lumbar facet joint hypertrophy were identified.
- Patients presented with low back pain and single lumbar nerve root entrapment symptoms.
Findings:
- Computed tomography (CT) scanning is the optimal imaging modality for diagnosis.
- Surgical decompression using partial undercutting facetectomy yielded favorable results.
Implications:
- This condition should be considered in the differential diagnosis of radicular pain.
- Surgical intervention can effectively alleviate symptoms associated with this specific hypertrophy.