Low Back PainNCT06982118
Facet Tropism in Low Back Pain Patients
An observational study of Low Back Pain and Spondylolisthesis, run by Istanbul Physical Medicine Rehabilitation Training and Research Hospital at 1 site in Turkey (Türkiye).
Trial summary
This retrospective study investigates the relationship between lumbar facet tropism and the occurrence of disc herniation and spondylolisthesis in patients with low back pain who underwent lumbar MRI. Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 18 to 80 years
- Conditions the study is for
- Low Back Pain, Spondylolisthesis, Degenerative Disc Disease, Lumbar
- How many people
- 92 participants
- Where
- 1 siteTurkey (Türkiye)
- Study dates
- 1 Jun 2025to 30 Jun 2025
- Phase
- Observational
- Are there results?
- None posted in the registry
Key requirements
Who can take part, as listed by the sponsor. Only the study team can confirm whether you are eligible, so take this list to your doctor.
- Ages 18 to 80 years
- All sexes
- No healthy volunteers
- Adult, Older adult
Study population: Patients admitted to the physical medicine and rehabilitation outpatient clinic of Istanbul Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation Training and Research Hospital with the complaint of low back pain between 01/11/2023-01/05/2025
Who may be able to join
- Male and female patients aged 18-80 years
- Patients admitted to the outpatient clinic with complaints of low back pain
- Patients with complete demographic and clinical data in their archive files
- Patients with lumbar MRI registered in the hospital imaging system after clinic admission
Who cannot join
- Patients with a history of lumbar surgery
- History of trauma in the lumbar region
- Active inflammatory joint disease
- Patients with central nervous system diseases such as Parkinson's disease, multiple sclerosis
- Malignancy
- Files with missing archive file records
Trial locations and contacts
1 site in 1 country.
Turkey (Türkiye)1 site
Istanbul Physical Therapy Rehabilitation Training and Research Hospital
Istanbul, 34186
About this study
Official title: Investigation of the Relationship Between the Frequency of Lumbar Facet Tropism and Disc Herniation and Spondylolisthesis in Patients With Low Back Pain Complaints
This retrospective study investigates the relationship between lumbar facet tropism and the occurrence of disc herniation and spondylolisthesis in patients with low back pain who underwent lumbar MRI. Facet tropism, defined as asymmetrical facet joint rotation, is hypothesized to influence spinal biomechanics and contribute to degenerative processes. The study will evaluate MRI scans of patients with low back pain to determine the presence of facet tropism, disc herniation, and listhesis at L3-L4, L4-L5, and L5-S1 levels, aiming to identify potential associations between these conditions at various spinal levels.
Read the detailed description
Background: Lumbar facet tropism refers to an asymmetry in the orientation of the facet joints within the axial plane of the lumbar spine. It is theorized that this anatomical variation can alter the biomechanics of the spine, potentially predisposing it to degenerative changes.
The literature suggests a possible association between facet tropism and lumbar disc pathologies, especially disc herniation and degeneration. Furthermore, asymmetry in the facet joints has been proposed as a factor that might contribute to the development of spondylolisthesis, defined as the forward slippage of one vertebra over another. This instability in the spine can lead to low back pain and other related clinical symptoms. However, the precise nature and strength of the relationship between facet tropism and these degenerative spinal conditions remain unclear.
To address this, the current retrospective study will examine patients who presented to a Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation outpatient clinic reporting low back pain and who subsequently underwent lumbar Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI). The MRI images of these patients will be analyzed to identify the presence of facet tropism, disc herniation, and spondylolisthesis at the L3-L4, L4-L5, and L5-S1 spinal levels.
This retrospective study aims to explore the potential link between lumbar facet tropism and the presence of both lumbar disc herniation and spondylolisthesis in individuals experiencing low back pain.
Methods:Between 01/11/2023-01/05/2025, patients who applied to Istanbul Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation Training and Research Hospital Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation outpatient clinic with the complaint of low back pain and outpatient clinic archive files will be included in the study in accordance with the inclusion and exclusion criteria. Demographic data (age, gender), etiopathology (lumbar disc herniation, spondylosis, spondylolisthesis etc.), physical therapy modalities and drug use information will be noted from the archive files. The presence/grade of disc herniation, presence of spondylolisthesis and facet measurements of lumbar MRI patients registered in the hospital imaging system will be recorded. The data will be statistically analyzed and the relationship between facet tropism, disc herniation and listhesis will be tested.
- Keywords
- facet tropism, low back pain, physical therapy, magnetic resonance imaging
- Medical subject headings
- Low Back Pain, Spondylolisthesis, Intervertebral Disc Degeneration
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| Patients with low back pain | Between 01/11/2023-01/05/2025, patients who applied to Istanbul Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation EAH Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation outpatient clinic with the complaint of low back pain and outpatient clinic archive files will be included in the study in accordance with the inclusion and exclusion criteria. Demographic data (age, gender), etiopathology (lumbar disc herniation, spondylosis, spondylolisthesis etc.), physical therapy modalities and drug use information will be noted from the archive files. The presence/grade of disc herniation, presence of spondylolisthesis and facet measurements of lumbar MRI patients registered in the hospital imaging system will be recorded. The data will be statistically analyzed and the relationship between facet tropism, disc herniation and listhesis will be tested. |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
Frequency of Facet Tropism
The presence of facet tropism at the L3-L4, L4-L5 and L5-S1 levels will be determined in patients who present with low back pain and have lumbar magnetic resonance imaging.
Measured: Baseline
Secondary outcomes (1)
Frequency of Lumbar Disc Herniation and Spondylolisthesis
The presence of disc herniation and listhesis at the L3-L4, L4-L5 and L5-S1 levels will be determined in patients who present with low back pain and have lumbar magnetic resonance imaging.
Measured: Baseline
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted21 May 2025
- Study start1 Jun 2025
- Primary completion30 Jun 2025
- Study completion30 Jun 2025
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Publications (3)Papers the sponsor has linked to this study.
- Other trials for Low Back PainStudies of the same condition, open and under way.
- What the trial phases meanHow a treatment moves from first tests in people to approval.
More details
For doctors and researchers: how the study is designed, who runs it, and its registry IDs.
Study design
- Study type
- Observational
- Observational model
- Other
- Time perspective
- Retrospective
- Enrolment
- 92 participants (actual)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- Istanbul Physical Medicine Rehabilitation Training and Research Hospital
- Sponsor type
- Other government
- Responsible party
- Principal investigator, Eser Kalaoglu, Istanbul Physical Medicine Rehabilitation Training and Research Hospital
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT06982118
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- IstPRMTRH-EK3
- Status last verified
- May 2025
- First submitted
- 8 May 2025
- Last updated
- 9 Jul 2025
- Results posted
- No
- Data monitoring committee
- No
- FDA-regulated drug
- No
- FDA-regulated device
- No
- Individual data sharing
- Undecided: The data supporting the findings of this study are available from the corresponding author upon reasonable request. However, due to patient confidentiality and ethical restrictions, the data are not publicly available.
Publications
Kong MH, He W, Tsai YD, Chen NF, Keorochana G, Do DH, Wang JC. Relationship of facet tropism with degeneration and stability of functional spinal unit. Yonsei Med J. 2009 Oct 31;50(5):624-9. doi: 10.3349/ymj.2009.50.5.624. Epub 2009 Oct 20.
PubMed 19881964Garg K, Aggarwal A. Facet Tropism in Lumbar Spine and Cervical Spine: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. World Neurosurg. 2021 Mar;147:47-65. doi: 10.1016/j.wneu.2020.11.171. Epub 2020 Dec 9.
PubMed 33309642Do DH, Taghavi CE, Fong W, Kong MH, Morishita Y, Wang JC. The relationship between degree of facet tropism and amount of dynamic disc bulge in lumbar spine of patients symptomatic for low back pain. Eur Spine J. 2011 Jan;20(1):71-8. doi: 10.1007/s00586-010-1558-8. Epub 2010 Aug 25.
PubMed 20734211
Study at a glance
From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 9 Jul 2025. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- Investigation of the Relationship Between the Frequency of Lumbar Facet Tropism and Disc Herniation and Spondylolisthesis in Patients With Low Back Pain Complaints
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT06982118
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- IstPRMTRH-EK3
- Keywords
- facet tropism, low back pain, physical therapy, magnetic resonance imaging
- Study type
- Observational
- Recruitment status
- Completed
- Enrolment
- 92 participants (actual)
- Lead sponsor
- Istanbul Physical Medicine Rehabilitation Training and Research HospitalOther government
- Study start
- 1 Jun 2025 (actual)
- Primary completion
- 30 Jun 2025 (actual)
- Study completion
- 30 Jun 2025 (actual)
- First posted
- 21 May 2025 (actual)
- Results
- Not posted in the source record
Clinical summary
The research question as the sponsor registered it. This describes what the study plans to test, not what it found.
This retrospective study investigates the relationship between lumbar facet tropism and the occurrence of disc herniation and spondylolisthesis in patients with low back pain who underwent lumbar MRI. Facet tropism, defined as asymmetrical facet joint rotation, is hypothesized to influence spinal biomechanics and contribute to degenerative processes. The study will evaluate MRI scans of patients with low back pain to determine the presence of facet tropism, disc herniation, and listhesis at L3-L4, L4-L5, and L5-S1 levels, aiming to identify potential associations between these conditions at various spinal levels.
Detailed description
Background: Lumbar facet tropism refers to an asymmetry in the orientation of the facet joints within the axial plane of the lumbar spine. It is theorized that this anatomical variation can alter the biomechanics of the spine, potentially predisposing it to degenerative changes.
The literature suggests a possible association between facet tropism and lumbar disc pathologies, especially disc herniation and degeneration. Furthermore, asymmetry in the facet joints has been proposed as a factor that might contribute to the development of spondylolisthesis, defined as the forward slippage of one vertebra over another. This instability in the spine can lead to low back pain and other related clinical symptoms. However, the precise nature and strength of the relationship between facet tropism and these degenerative spinal conditions remain unclear.
To address this, the current retrospective study will examine patients who presented to a Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation outpatient clinic reporting low back pain and who subsequently underwent lumbar Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI). The MRI images of these patients will be analyzed to identify the presence of facet tropism, disc herniation, and spondylolisthesis at the L3-L4, L4-L5, and L5-S1 spinal levels.
This retrospective study aims to explore the potential link between lumbar facet tropism and the presence of both lumbar disc herniation and spondylolisthesis in individuals experiencing low back pain.
Methods:Between 01/11/2023-01/05/2025, patients who applied to Istanbul Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation Training and Research Hospital Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation outpatient clinic with the complaint of low back pain and outpatient clinic archive files will be included in the study in accordance with the inclusion and exclusion criteria. Demographic data (age, gender), etiopathology (lumbar disc herniation, spondylosis, spondylolisthesis etc.), physical therapy modalities and drug use information will be noted from the archive files. The presence/grade of disc herniation, presence of spondylolisthesis and facet measurements of lumbar MRI patients registered in the hospital imaging system will be recorded. The data will be statistically analyzed and the relationship between facet tropism, disc herniation and listhesis will be tested.
Study design
- Observational model
- Other
- Time perspective
- Retrospective
- Number of arms
- 1
| Arm | Type | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| Patients with low back pain | – | –Between 01/11/2023-01/05/2025, patients who applied to Istanbul Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation EAH Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation outpatient clinic with the complaint of low back pain and outpatient clinic archive files will be included in the study in accordance with the inclusion and exclusion criteria. Demographic data (age, gender), etiopathology (lumbar disc herniation, spondylosis, spondylolisthesis etc.), physical therapy modalities and drug use information will be noted from the archive files. The presence/grade of disc herniation, presence of spondylolisthesis and facet measurements of lumbar MRI patients registered in the hospital imaging system will be recorded. The data will be statistically analyzed and the relationship between facet tropism, disc herniation and listhesis will be tested. |
Who may qualify
- Ages
- 18 to 80 years
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- Not accepted
- Age groups
- Adult, Older adult
- Study population
- Patients admitted to the physical medicine and rehabilitation outpatient clinic of Istanbul Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation Training and Research Hospital with the complaint of low back pain between 01/11/2023-01/05/2025
Key inclusion criteria (4 listed)
- Male and female patients aged 18-80 years
- Patients admitted to the outpatient clinic with complaints of low back pain
- Patients with complete demographic and clinical data in their archive files
- Patients with lumbar MRI registered in the hospital imaging system after clinic admission
Key exclusion criteria (6 listed)
- Patients with a history of lumbar surgery
- History of trauma in the lumbar region
- Active inflammatory joint disease
- Patients with central nervous system diseases such as Parkinson's disease, multiple sclerosis
- Malignancy
Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening; this overview does not establish that a patient qualifies. Full inclusion and exclusion criteria.
Primary outcome
Frequency of Facet Tropism
Time frame: Baseline
The presence of facet tropism at the L3-L4, L4-L5 and L5-S1 levels will be determined in patients who present with low back pain and have lumbar magnetic resonance imaging.
1 secondary outcome
Frequency of Lumbar Disc Herniation and Spondylolisthesis
Time frame: Baseline
Results and safety
The study is completed, but results are not available in the source record. That does not mean the treatment did or did not work.
Research links
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govLast updated by the sponsor 9 Jul 2025.
- Background: PubMed 19881964Kong MH, He W, Tsai YD, Chen NF, Keorochana G, Do DH, Wang JC. Relationship of facet tropism with degeneration and stability of functional spinal unit. Yonsei Med J. 2009 Oct 31;50(5):624-9. doi: 10.3349/ymj.2009.50.5.624. Epub 2009 Oct 20.
- Background: PubMed 33309642Garg K, Aggarwal A. Facet Tropism in Lumbar Spine and Cervical Spine: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. World Neurosurg. 2021 Mar;147:47-65. doi: 10.1016/j.wneu.2020.11.171. Epub 2020 Dec 9.
- Background: PubMed 20734211Do DH, Taghavi CE, Fong W, Kong MH, Morishita Y, Wang JC. The relationship between degree of facet tropism and amount of dynamic disc bulge in lumbar spine of patients symptomatic for low back pain. Eur Spine J. 2011 Jan;20(1):71-8. doi: 10.1007/s00586-010-1558-8. Epub 2010 Aug 25.
- Individual participant dataSharing planned: Undecided. The data supporting the findings of this study are available from the corresponding author upon reasonable request. However, due to patient confidentiality and ethical restrictions, the data are not publicly available.
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Referral and contact
AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals. Contact the study team or a site listed below; they decide who can take part. This study is not recruiting at the moment.
The record lists no contact. Use the official record to reach the sponsor.
1 site in 1 country: see every site and its status.
Questions about this trial
What is this clinical trial studying?
An observational study of Low Back Pain and Spondylolisthesis, run by Istanbul Physical Medicine Rehabilitation Training and Research Hospital at 1 site in Turkey (Türkiye).
The full registered description is in the About this study section and the official record.
Who may be eligible to take part?
The sponsor lists 4 inclusion and 6 exclusion criteria. Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening, so read the full criteria and contact a listed site.
Is this clinical trial currently recruiting?
The record says: finished, as of the sponsor's last update on 9 Jul 2025. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.
Where is the study taking place?
The record lists 1 site in Turkey (Türkiye). Whether a site is taking part right now should be confirmed with that site. See every site.
What are the possible benefits and risks?
They depend on the study and the treatment, and no study can promise a benefit. The study team explains the known risks during informed consent, before anyone joins; the record itself does not list them.
Are results available for this study?
The study is completed, but results are not available in the source record. That does not mean the treatment did or did not work.
How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?
The record lists no contact. The official record names the sponsor, who can be asked directly. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.
What does the primary outcome measure?
Frequency of Facet Tropism (time frame: Baseline). It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.
Where can I read the original study information?
On the ClinicalTrials.gov record for NCT06982118, which also lists 3 linked publications.
Does a listing mean the treatment is approved or proven to work?
No. A listing means the study is registered. It does not show that the treatment is safe, works, or is approved by a regulator.
How often is this information updated?
AzTrials copies changed records from ClinicalTrials.gov every night and reloads the whole registry every week. The sponsor last updated this record on 9 Jul 2025.