Related Experiment Videos
Morphologic study of lumbar vertebral osteophytes
1Institute for Spinal Disorders, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Tex 77030, USA.
Southern Medical Journal
|March 13, 1998
Summary
Traction spurs and claw spurs, indicators of lumbar spine degeneration, often appear together on the same vertebral rim. This finding suggests they stem from a common degenerative process, not distinct pathologies.
Area of Science:
- Orthopedics
- Radiology
- Spine Surgery
Background:
- Vertebral osteophytes are key radiographic markers for lumbar spine degenerative changes.
- Osteophytes are classified as
- traction spurs
- or
- claw spurs
- .
- Traction spurs have been linked to spinal instability.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the coexistence and potential relationship between traction spurs and claw spurs in the lumbar spine.
- To determine if these osteophyte types represent distinct or common degenerative processes.
Main Methods:
- Examined 120 vertebrae (T-11 to L-5) from 20 cadavers.
- Measured osteophyte presence using digital calipers.
- Classified osteophyte types (traction vs. claw) visually per the Macnab classification.
Main Results:
- Sixty vertebral rims exhibited significant osteophytes.
- Twenty-four rims had only claw spurs, and 11 had only traction spurs.
- No corresponding traction osteophytes were found on adjacent vertebrae when traction spurs were present alone.
Conclusions:
- Traction spurs and claw spurs frequently coexist on the same vertebral rim.
- This coexistence suggests a shared underlying degenerative process.
- The findings challenge the notion that these spurs represent two distinct pathological entities.