Lumbar intervertebral disc (IVD) and lumbar facet joint (LFJ) are the primary and important load-bearing structures in spine. Any abnormality of the anterior IVD and the two posterior LFJs may lead to spinal instability and low back pain (LBP). The current study demonstrates that LFJ degeneration occurs earlier and progresses more slowly than IVD degeneration. Histogram analysis of T2 and T2* values is feasible for detecting and grading IVD but not LFJ degeneration.
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