Lumbar facet joint subchondral bone density in low back pain and asymptomatic subjects

ConclusionsSubchondral bone mineral density is thought to reflect cumulative, long-term distribution of stress acting on a joint. This work shows that higher subchondral bone mineral density values in the center zone indicate predominant stress transmission through the center of the facet joints. Finally, the greater subchondral bone mineral density in patients with low back pain may reflect both increased load bearing by the facets secondary to disc degeneration and misdistribution of loading within the joint.
Source: Skeletal Radiology - Category: Radiology Source Type: research