Objective: The aim of this article was to assess the statistical data reported in the literature regarding lumbar degenerative spinal stenosis.
Introduction: Lumbar spinal canal stenosis (LSCS) is a condition characterized by a narrowing of the spinal canal. Patients may present with a variety of symptoms such as: neurogenic claudication, radicular pain, generalized lower back pain, weakness and sensory disturbance of the lower limbs. It is caused by hypertrophy of the ligamentum flavum, mechanical compression of the lumbar spinal nerve roots, and disc herniation combined with osteophytes.
Method: We searched the current literature for relevant studies, without over-employing a specific methodological criterion for identifying and analyzing the literature.
Results: the search produced one retrospective study investigating facet joint hypertrophy in patients with lumbar spinal stenosis. The authors devised new morphological parameters that they called facet joint thickness (FJT) and facet joint cross-sectional area (FJA). To compare the FJAs and FJTs between patients with and without lumbar spinal canal stenosis, the authors enrolled a control group composed of 86 patients.
Conclusion: Facet joint hypertrophy is a misnomer and it should be renamed facet joint area narrowing to prevent confusion.