Evidence map›Paper›PMID 40029353›Full record

ArticleEuropean spine journal : official publication of the European Spine Society, the European Spinal Deformity Society, and the European Section of the Cervical Spine Research Society2025

Prevalence and distribution of cervical facet joint degeneration in patients with cervical spondylotic myelopathy without/with instability and ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament-a comparative study.

Yuchen Zhang, Chao Li, Quanmin Dong, Junyuan Sun, Chao Zhou, Xing Chen, Yonghao Tian, Suomao Yuan, Xinyu Liu, Lianlei Wang

Abstract readComparative Study
PubMed Publisher
In one paragraph

Article in European spine journal : official publication of the European Spine Society, the European Spinal Deformity Society, and the European Section of the Cervical Spine Research Society, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 1 paper.

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0cells of the map it votes in
1citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

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2 · The registry

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3 · Its place in the literature

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1 citing paper in PubMed.

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4 · The record

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5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

10 authors.

Yuchen Zhang *Department of Orthopedics, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, 107 Wenhua Xilu Jinan, Jinan, 250012, Shandong, P.R. China.
Chao Li *Department of Orthopedics, Peking University First Hospital, Beijing, China.
Quanmin DongDepartment of Orthopedics, The People's Hospital of Jimo, Qingdao, Shandong, China.
Junyuan SunDepartment of Orthopedics, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, 107 Wenhua Xilu Jinan, Jinan, 250012, Shandong, P.R. China.
Chao ZhouDepartment of Orthopedics, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Qilu Hospital (Qingdao), Shandong University, Qingdao, Shandong, China.
Xing ChenDepartment of Orthopedics, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, 107 Wenhua Xilu Jinan, Jinan, 250012, Shandong, P.R. China.
Yonghao TianDepartment of Orthopedics, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, 107 Wenhua Xilu Jinan, Jinan, 250012, Shandong, P.R. China.
Suomao YuanDepartment of Orthopedics, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, 107 Wenhua Xilu Jinan, Jinan, 250012, Shandong, P.R. China.
Xinyu LiuDepartment of Orthopedics, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, 107 Wenhua Xilu Jinan, Jinan, 250012, Shandong, P.R. China. newyuliu@163.com.ORCID 0000-0002-4347-1633
Lianlei WangDepartment of Orthopedics, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, 107 Wenhua Xilu Jinan, Jinan, 250012, Shandong, P.R. China. wllspine@163.com.

Funding

Key Technology Research and Development Program of Shandong Province 2022CXGC010503National High Level Hospital Clinical Research Funding 2022-PUMCH-D-004National Natural Science Foundation of China 81874022 and 82172483National Natural Science Foundation of China 82102522Natural Science Foundation of Shandong Province ZR202102210113Taishan Scholar Project of Shandong Province tsqn202211317
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

objectivesTo compare the prevalence and distribution characteristics of the grade of cervical facet joint degeneration (FJD) among patients with cervical spondylotic myelopathy without/with instability (CSM/CSMI), and ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament (OPLL). Furthermore, to compare the differences in sagittal parameters and preoperative clinical symptoms between patients with mild and severe FJD.

methodsThe study enrolled 253 patients who underwent surgical treatment at our institution (90 CSM, 79 CSMI, 84 OPLL). A 5-grade computed tomography classification was used to assess bilateral cervical facet joint degeneration from C2/3 to C6/7, with higher grades indicating more severe degeneration. Patients in CSM, CSMI, and OPLL groups were divided into two subgroups separately according to the sum of bilateral FJD grades from C2/3 to C6/7: mild group and severe group. The sagittal parameters of the cervical spine on X-ray, as well as the preoperative Japanese Orthopaedic Association (JOA) score and visual analogue scale (VAS) for neck pain, were compared between the subgroups.

resultsThe prevalence of grade 1 to 5 FJD in CSM, CSMI, and OPLL patients was: 77.5%, 17.8%, 3.6%, 1.1%, and 0% for CSM; 62.0%, 25.2%, 7.7%, 3.0%, and 2.1% for CSMI; and 72.4%, 24.4%, 2.2%, 0.3%, and 0.7% for OPLL. The grade of FJD at C2-6 was significantly higher in the CSMI group than the CSM and OPLL groups (P < 0.05). The grade of FJD was highest at C4-C5 in CSM and CSMI groups, while it gradually increased from C3-C4 to C6-C7 in the OPLL group. Patients in severe subgroup exhibited pronounced cervical lordosis, T1 slope, cervical sagittal vertical axis (cSVA), and neck pain (P < 0.05).

conclusionsThe grade of FJD is more severe in patients with CSMI than others. The grade of FJD in CSM and CSMI patients was most severe at C4-C5 level, while OPLL patients had increasingly severe FJD from C3-C7 levels, with maximal degeneration observed at C6-C7. Patients with severe cervical FJD in CSM, CSMI and OPLL groups exhibited pronounced cervical lordosis, increased T1 slope, elevated cSVA, and heightened neck pain.

Indexed as

Cervical VertebraeIntervertebral Disc DegenerationJoint InstabilityOssification of Posterior Longitudinal LigamentSpinal Cord DiseasesSpondylosisZygapophyseal JointAdultAgedFemaleHumansMaleMiddle AgedPrevalenceCervical facet jointCervical instabilityCervical spondylotic myelopathyOssification of the posterior longitudinal ligamentSagittal parameters

Identifiers

PMID40029353

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