title: Correlation of sacropelvic geometry with disc degeneration in spondylolytic cadaver specimens.
abstract: METHODS
  An anatomic study of sacral inclination, pelvic incidence, pelvic lordosis, and disc degeneration in cadaveric lumbar spines.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the relationship between sacropelvic parameters and disc degeneration in subjects with bilateral spondylolysis at L5.
  
  
  BACKGROUND
  L5-S1 disc degeneration is greater in patients with spondylolytic defects (L5-S1) than with an intact pars interarticularis secondary to the instability caused by spondylolysis. Sacral inclination, pelvic incidence, and pelvic lordosis affect sagittal balance and axial forces on the L5-S1 disc.
  
  
  METHODS
  An observational study was performed on 120 cadaveric specimens with spondylolysis (L5-S1) identified of 3100 total cadaveric specimens. Nine specimens were excluded because of incomplete or degraded skeletal elements; 10 were excluded for having unilateral defects only. The specimens were evaluated for sacral inclination, pelvic incidence, and pelvic lordosis. Disc degeneration and facet arthrosis at L4-L5 and L5-S1 were measured by the classification of Eubanks et al. Linear regression analyses were then used to determine the relationship between sacropelvic parameters and degeneration at the L5-S1 segment, correcting for confounding factors such as age, sex, and race.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Linear regression demonstrated a significant association between sacral inclination and disc degeneration at L5-S1 (P = 0.018). Specimens were then divided into two groups, those in the highest quarter of pelvic incidence, and the remainder. Spearman rank correlation demonstrated a significant association between disc degeneration at L5-S1 and the highest quarter of pelvic incidence (P = 0.017). Increasing pelvic lordosis was also associated with an increase in facet arthrosis at L4-L5 (P = 0.006).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The findings of this study show a relationship between the sacropelvic geometry and the degree of L5-S1 disc degeneration as well as L4-L5 facet degeneration in spondylolytic specimens. This relationship may prove useful in predicting the course of disc degeneration in patients with spondylolysis.
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Case Western Reserve University, University Hospitals Case Medical Center, Cleveland, OH 44106, USA.
authors.forename: Jason O
authors.initials: JO
authors.lastname: Toy
authors.forename: Jason C
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Tinley
authors.forename: Jason D
authors.initials: JD
authors.lastname: Eubanks
authors.forename: Sheeraz A
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: Qureshi
authors.forename: Nicholas U
authors.initials: NU
authors.lastname: Ahn
mesh_terms: D002102:Cadaver; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D055959:Intervertebral Disc Degeneration / Q000150:complications / Q000473:pathology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D008141:Lordosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology; D008159:Lumbar Vertebrae / Q000473:pathology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010388:Pelvis / Q000473:pathology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D012447:Sacrum / Q000473:pathology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D013169:Spondylolysis / Q000150:complications / Q000473:pathology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D021801:Zygapophyseal Joint / Q000473:pathology