INFLUENCE OF FACET TROPISM ON THE LOCATION OF LUMBAR DISC HERNIATION

ABSTRACT Objective: To correlate facet tropism with the side and location of the intervertebral disc in which the lumbar disc herniation occurred. Methods: A retrospective descriptive study that evaluated Magnetic Resonance Imaging of 255 patients with lumbar disc herniation undergoing surgical treatment with the Spine Group of the Hospital Ortopédico de Passo Fundo between 2002 and 2014. The total patient number was stratified according to the side affected by the herniated disc (right or left), location of the hernia in the intervertebral disc (central, centrolateral, foraminal and extraforaminal) and demographic data, such as age, gender etc. The degree of facet joint tropism was measured by the Karakan method and classified as mild (difference less than 7º); moderate (between 7º and 15º) and severe (difference greater than 15º). Results: A statistical significant relationship (p= 0.023) was observed between the facet joint tropism and the side where the lumbar disc herniation occurred. No correlation was found between facet joint tropism and location of the herniation on the intervertebral disc. Conclusions: The degree of facet tropism presents a statistical significant correlation with the side of the intervertebral disc in which the lumbar disc herniation will develop. Level of Evidence: II. Type of study: Retrospective study.