Facet joint geometry and intervertebral disk degeneration in the L5-S1 region of the vertebral column in German Shepherd dogs.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the possible association between facet joint geometry and intervertebral disk degeneration in German Shepherd Dogs.


METHODS
25 German Shepherd Dogs and 11 control dogs of similar body weight and condition.


METHODS
Facet joint angles in the caudal portion of the lumbar region of the vertebral column (L5-S1) were measured by use of computed tomography, and the intervertebral discs were evaluated microscopically. The relationship between facet joint geometry and disk degeneration was evaluated by use of statistical methods.


RESULTS
German Shepherd Dogs had significantly more facet joint tropism than control dogs, but an association with disk degeneration was not found. However, German Shepherd Dogs had a different facet joint conformation, with more sagittally oriented facet joints at L5-L6 and L6-L7 and a larger angle difference between the lumbar and lumbosacral facet joints, compared with control dogs.


CONCLUSIONS
A large difference between facet joint angles at L6-L7 and L7-S1 in German Shepherd Dogs may be associated with the frequent occurrence of lumbosacral disk degeneration in this breed.
Seiler
Gabriela S
GS
Section of Radiology, Department of Clinical Veterinary Medicine, University of Bern, Länggasse 122+128/Bremgartenstrasse 109a, 3012 Bern, Switzerland.
Häni
Hansjürg
H
Busato
André R
AR
Lang
Johann
J
D000818:Animals; D004283:Dog Diseases / Q000473:pathology*; D004285:Dogs; D007403:Intervertebral Disc / Q000473:pathology*; D013122:Spinal Diseases / Q000473:pathology / Q000662:veterinary*; D021801:Zygapophyseal Joint / Q000033:anatomy & histology*