%0 Case Reports
%T Classification of the Congenital Defect of the Lumbar Facet Joint: Case Report and Literature Review.
%A Wang S
%A Lin G
%A Zhao G
%A Qiu C
%A Wang L
%A Yuan S
%A Tian Y
%A Liu X
%J Orthop Surg
%V 0
%N 0
%D 2024 Jun 24
%M 38924370
%F 2.279
%R 10.1111/os.14132
%X <B>BACKGROUND: </B>Congenital lumbar facet joint defect is a rare congenital developmental disorder with only a few reported cases in the literature, primarily affecting the L5-S1 segments. This study reports the first case of a defect in the left L3 inferior articular process; and presents a review of the existing literature on the subject, proposes a classification system, and validates the inter-observer and intra-observer reliability of this classification system.<BR><B>METHODS: </B>A 14-year-old boy presented to our orthopedic clinic with persistent lower back pain for 1 month. Imaging analysis, including CT scans, 3D reconstruction, and MRI, revealed a congenital lumbar facet joint defect at the L3 level, which has not been reported. Conservative treatment resulted in a significant improvement in his symptoms, and he is currently under follow-up care.<BR><B>CONCLUSIONS: </B>Congenital defect of the lumbar facet joint is a rare spinal condition. This article reports the first patient with a defect in the left L3 inferior articular process and conducts a comprehensive literature review, proposing a classification of articular process defects into five types. The two most common types are Types B and C. We have demonstrated that this system is reliable and reproducible and have described the treatment of each type.