Affiliations: [a] Department of Orthopedics, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, Hubei, China | [b] Department of Orthopedics, Clinical Medical College of Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, Jiangsu, China | [c] Graduate School of Dalian Medical University, Dalian, Liaoning, China | [d] Department of Medical Imaging, Clinical Medical College of Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, Jiangsu, China | [e] Department of Orthopedics, International Zhuang Hospital, Guangxi University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Nanning, Guangxi, China
Correspondence:
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Corresponding author: Liang Zhang, Department of Orthopedics, Clinical Medical College of Yangzhou University, No. 98 Nantong West Road, Yangzhou, Jiangsu 225001, China. %****␣bmr-36-bmr210235_temp.tex␣Line␣125␣**** E-mail: zhangliang6320@sina.com.
Note: [1] These authors contributed equally to this work and share the first authorship.
Abstract: BACKGROUND: Posterior approach pedicle screw fixation without fusion is widely used in the treatment of neurologically intact type A3 thoracolumbar fractures. OBJECTIVE: To analyze the influence of the facet joint (FJ) angle on FJ degeneration following posterior approach pedicle screw fixation without fusion in neurologically intact type A3 thoracolumbar fractures. METHODS: Fifty-eight patients who underwent pedicle screw fixation via the traditional posterior approach (n= 28) or the Wiltse approach (n= 30) were enrolled. A CT scan was performed before fixation and before fixation removal (Within 1.5 to 2 years after fixation) to evaluate the FJs parameters, including FJ inclination (FJI), FJ tropism (FJT), FJ violation, and FJ degeneration grade (FJDG), of three fixed segments and the adjacent segment below the fixed segments. RESULTS: There was no significant difference in FJ violation rate, FJDG deterioration, or FJ angle between the two groups (P> 0.05). FJDG deterioration showed a weak positive correlation with FJI and FJT before fixation, and the angular change in FJI (P< 0.05); and FJT before fixation and the angular change in FJI were risk factors for FJDG deterioration (P< 0.01). CONCLUSION: The Wiltse approach did not increase the rate of FJDG deterioration and FJs angle changes. However, the FJT before fixation and the angular change in FJI were risk factors for FJDG deterioration.
