The Posterolaterally Oriented and Laterally Downward Sloping Facet Joint Is a Risk Factor for Degenerative Cervical Spondylolisthesis and Myelopathy

INTRODUCTION: Facet joints are anatomical structures that are known to be crucial for determining spinal biomechanical motion; however, the potential relationship between facet orientation and the development of cervical spondylolisthesis remains unclear. Thus, in this study, we aimed to explore the relationship between facet orientation and cervical spondylolisthesis as well as myelopathy. METHODS: Facet orientation in the cervical spine was investigated using computed tomography in 103 patients with cervical myelopathy, and facet inclination was measured on axial, coronal, and sagittal reconstructed images. Patients were divided into anterolisthesis, retrolisthesis, and no spondylolisthesis groups at each intervertebral level (C2/3-C6/7 levels). RESULTS: Facet joints in the anterolisthesis and retrolisthesis groups tended to slope posterolaterally and downward laterally compared with those in the no spondylolisthesis group at C3/4, C4/5, and C5/6 levels (P<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: The posterolaterally oriented and laterally downward sloping facet at C3/4 and C4/5 levels may be a risk factor for the development of cervical spondylolisthesis as well as symptomatic myelopathy.