Direction of Anterior Lumbar Vertebral Osteophyte Formation
Author Information
Author(s): Kasai Yuichi, Kawakita Eiji, Sakakibara Toshihiko, Akeda Koji, Uchida Atsumasa
Primary Institution: Mie University Graduate School of Medicine
Hypothesis
The study investigates the direction of anterior lumbar vertebral osteophyte formation across lumbar vertebrae.
Conclusion
Pairs of osteophytes frequently formed in the direction of the adjacent disc in upper lumbar vertebrae and away from it in middle or lower lumbar vertebrae.
Supporting Evidence
- The study found that osteophytes formed more frequently in the direction of the adjacent disc in upper lumbar vertebrae.
- In lower lumbar vertebrae, osteophytes were more likely to form away from the adjacent disc.
- The research involved a large sample size of 2,850 patients.
Takeaway
The study looked at how bone spurs in the lower back grow, finding that they often grow towards the disc in the upper back but away from it in the lower back.
Methodology
The study analyzed X-ray images of 14,250 pairs of anterior lumbar vertebral osteophytes from 2,850 patients over 60 years old.
Limitations
The subjects were outpatients from a spine unit, which may not represent the general population.
Participant Demographics
The participants were 2,850 patients, 1,511 men and 1,339 women, all over 60 years old.
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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