Changes in load transmission through facet and facet orientation have been considered as an important factor in intervertebral disc degeneration and osteoarthritic changes of the facet joint. (1)(2)(3) Facet joint surface area and orientation of the facets play key roles in load transmission. Their information is important for designing implants of the spine. They have been 2-dimentionally measured using CT and MRI. (4)(5) The purpose of the current study was to establish a three-dimensional (3D) technique for measuring lumbar facet joint area and orientation in vivo.

Volume Subject Area:
Joint Mechanics
Topics:
Design, Intervertebral discs, Magnetic resonance imaging, Osteoarthritis, Stress
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