- Discussion:
- correlation w/ back pain:
- traction spurs &/or severe disc space narrowing do correlate w/ pain;
- spondylosis, Spondylolisthesis, & adult Scoliosis may or may not be associated with back pain;
- there is little correlation between back pain and:
- lumbar lordosis
- transitional vertebra
- disc space narrowing
- disc vaccum sign, and claw spurs;
- Radiographs:
- Oblique views are useful for defining Spondylolisthesis & Spondylolysis, but are not useful in the facet syndrome and hypertrophic
arthritis of the lumbar spine;
- Ferguson view (20 deg caudocephalic anteroposterior x-ray) is of value in the diagnosis of the "far out syndrome"
- 5th root compression produced by a large transverse process of 5th Lumbar vertebrae against the ala of the Sacrum;
- angled caudal views localized to areas of concern may show evidence of facet or laminar pathology