[Study on the correlation between the arc height of cervical endplate and osteophyte in posterior margin of...

To study the correlation and clinical value of the arc height of upper and lower endplates, the height of intervertebral space and osteophyte of posterior edge of intervertebral space in patients with cervical spondylosis.

A total of 108 patients with cervical spondylosis who underwent cervical spondylosis surgery from September 2017 to September 2018 were included in the study. Including 48 males with an average age of 52 years (30 to 72) and 60 females with an average age of 54 years (37 to 79). Among them, C_2,3 of 6 cases, C_3,4 of 15 cases, C_4,5 of 32 cases, C_5,6 of 42 cases, C_6,7 of 13 cases. X-ray films of cervical spine were taken before and after operation. The images were accessed by PACS (Picture Archiving and Communication Systems) system. The lower and upper endplate arc heights (L₁, L₂), intervertebral space height (L₃), and posterior osteophyte width (L₄) were measured. Spearman was used to analyze the correlation between them.

L₁ was negatively correlated with L₄ (r=-0.34, P<0.05), L₃ was negatively correlated with L₄ (r=-0.36, P<0.05). L₁ was positively correlated with L₃ (r=0.38, P<0.05), L₂ was positively correlated with L₃ (r=0.48, P<0.05). There was no significant difference between L ₁ and L₂ (P>0.05), L₂ and L₄ (P>0.05).

The arc height of the lower endplate is negatively correlated with the width of osteophyte in the posterior margin of the intervertebral space. The cervical degeneration degree can be determined by measuring the arc height of the lower endplate, which has guiding significance for the early prevention and treatment of cervical spondylosis.