Daisuke Fukui1, Mamoru Kawakami2, Kevin Cheng3, Koichiro Murata3, Keianne Yamada3, Rinoka Sato3, Munehito Yoshida4, Hiroshi Yamada4, Nozomu Inoue5, Koichi Masuda3. 1. Spine Care Center, Wakayama Medical University Kihoku Hospital, 219, Myouji, Katsuragicho, Ito Gun, Wakayama, Japan. taiga26@zeus.eonet.ne.jp. 2. Spine Care Center, Wakayama Medical University Kihoku Hospital, 219, Myouji, Katsuragicho, Ito Gun, Wakayama, Japan. 3. Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, School of Medicine, University of California, 9500 Gilman Dr. MC0863, La Jolla, San Diego, CA, USA. 4. Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Wakayama Medical University, 811-1, Kimiidera, Wakayama City, Wakayama, Japan. 5. Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Rush University Medical Center, 1611 W. Harrison St., Chicago, IL, USA.
Abstract
PURPOSE: Intervertebral disc degeneration is thought to contribute to low back pain. However, the pathophysiological mechanisms remain controversial. In a previous study, we developed an animal model that showed delayed gait disturbance after lumbar facetectomy in the rat. We believe that this gait disturbance was caused by low back pain, although the mechanisms of this gait abnormality remain unknown. The purpose of this study was to evaluate structural changes of the lumbar spine after facetectomy in the rat utilizing three-dimensional micro-computed tomography (3DμCT) compared to histology. METHODS: Thirty male SD rats were divided into three groups. In the Sham group (n = 13), only exposure of bilateral facet joints at the L4-5 level was performed. In the Experimental group (n = 13), complete resection of bilateral L4-5 facet joints was achieved. Naïve rats (n = 4) were used for controls. At 7-week postoperative, 3DµCT and histological analyses were performed. RESULTS: On 3DµCT images, increased disc height and endplate irregularities at the L4-5 segment and decreased disc height at adjacent segments were observed in the Experimental group. Histological scores were also higher in the Experimental group than the Sham Group. CONCLUSIONS: Degenerative changes were observed at the facetectomy level. These may correspond with the previously reported delayed gait disturbance after facetectomy. This animal model may be useful to create mechanically induced disc degeneration without direct tissue damage to the disc.
PURPOSE:Intervertebral disc degeneration is thought to contribute to low back pain. However, the pathophysiological mechanisms remain controversial. In a previous study, we developed an animal model that showed delayed gait disturbance after lumbar facetectomy in the rat. We believe that this gait disturbance was caused by low back pain, although the mechanisms of this gait abnormality remain unknown. The purpose of this study was to evaluate structural changes of the lumbar spine after facetectomy in the rat utilizing three-dimensional micro-computed tomography (3DμCT) compared to histology. METHODS: Thirty male SD rats were divided into three groups. In the Sham group (n = 13), only exposure of bilateral facet joints at the L4-5 level was performed. In the Experimental group (n = 13), complete resection of bilateral L4-5 facet joints was achieved. Naïve rats (n = 4) were used for controls. At 7-week postoperative, 3DµCT and histological analyses were performed. RESULTS: On 3DµCT images, increased disc height and endplate irregularities at the L4-5 segment and decreased disc height at adjacent segments were observed in the Experimental group. Histological scores were also higher in the Experimental group than the Sham Group. CONCLUSIONS: Degenerative changes were observed at the facetectomy level. These may correspond with the previously reported delayed gait disturbance after facetectomy. This animal model may be useful to create mechanically induced disc degeneration without direct tissue damage to the disc.
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