[Correlation between shape and direction of small articular surface in lower lumbar vertebrae and degeneration of intervertebral disc].

To assess the possible correlation between the shape and the direction of the small articular surface in the lower lumbar vertebrae and the degeneration of the intervertebral disc, we investigated with computed tomography (CT) and evaluated with statistics the small articular surface and the transverse interface-joint angle (TIFA) of the L4-5 and the L5-S1 in 152 cases who had normal or degenerative discs verified through CT, MRI or operation. The small articular surface was found arc in 69.1% of the L4-5 and in 23.0% of the L5-S1. The TIFA of the L4-5 was less than that of the L5-S1. There was no correlation between the ratio of degeneration of the intervertebral disc at the L4-5 and the TIFA of the L4-5 and the L5-S1, but the ratio of degeneration of the intervertebral disc at the L5-S1 had postive correlation with the TIFA of the L4-5, negative correlation with the TIFA of the L5-S1, and particular correlation with the TIFA of the L5-S1 and L4-5. These results suggest that the shape and direction of the lower lumbar facet joint are related to the lumbar degeneration of intervertebral disc and the causes of degeneration at the L4-5 disc differ from those at the L5-S1 disc in biomechanics.