[Degenerative changes of the cervical facet joints in the medial and lateral atlantoaxial joint - a paleopathological study]

Abstract

Aim: This article describes the prevalence of degenerative changes of the upper cervical spine (C1-C2) and cervical facet joints found during investigations of spinal column remains.

Materials and methods: This study was conducted on a sample of 196 cervical spines from southwestern Germany which derive from the 6th to 8th centuries AD. The degenerative lesions were classified into grades 1 (marginal osteophytes), 2 (uneven joint surfaces), or 3 (osseous ankylosis).

Results: Of the skeletons examined, 19.4 % (n = 38) showed degenerative changes of the cervical facet joints and/or upper cervical spine (mean age at death was 44 years). The medial (6.1 %) and lateral (0.6 %) atlanto-axial joints were rarely involved in degenerative changes. The facet joints from C3-C4 to C6-C7 showed degenerative changes in 8.0-11.7 % of cases (usually grade 1 and 2). The C2-C3 facet joints were significantly involved in degenerative changes in 19.7 % of cases, one fourth of which were osseous ankylosis (grade 3).

Conclusion: The C2-C3 facet joints showed a high rate of degenerative changes.