title: Relationship between morphology of iliolumbar ligament and lower lumbar disc degeneration.
abstract: Previous imaging studies have shown little difference in the degree of disc degeneration between L4-L5 and L5-S1. We hypothesized that because the morphology of the iliolumbar ligament affects the stability of the lumbosacral junction, then it could determine the lower lumbar disc degeneration. Fifty-three male and 47 female patients were classified into three groups according to their disc degeneration grade-those in whom the L5-S1 disc was less degenerated (group A), more degenerated (group B), and equally degenerated (group C) compared to the L4-L5 disc on T2-weighted magnetic resonance images. The length and direction of the anterior and posterior iliolumbar ligaments were measured on T1-weighted axial images. The iliolumbar ligament was shorter in group A than in group B or C, and was oriented significantly more posteriorly in group A than in groups B or C. The morphology of the iliolumbar ligament, especially its length and direction, can be a factor influencing the development of disc degeneration at L4-L5 and L5-S1.
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Dokkyo University School of Medicine, Mibu, Tochigi, Japan.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Fujiwara
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Tamai
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Kurihashi
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Yoshida
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Saotome
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000886:Anthropometry; D004198:Disease Susceptibility; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007085:Ilium; D007403:Intervertebral Disc / Q000473:pathology*; D007593:Joint Instability / Q000473:pathology*; D008022:Ligaments / Q000473:pathology*; D017846:Longitudinal Ligaments; D008159:Lumbar Vertebrae; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D012727:Sex Characteristics; D013122:Spinal Diseases / Q000473:pathology*