Type III Degenerative Spondylolisthesis is commonly caused by which pathology?

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Multiple Choice

Type III Degenerative Spondylolisthesis is commonly caused by which pathology?

Degenerative joint disease of the spine drives this pattern. As the lumbar facet joints wear (facet arthropathy) and the adjacent disc degenerates, stability is lost and the vertebral body tends to slip forward relative to the one beneath it. This degenerative process—DJD of the spine—is the typical cause of Type III degenerative spondylolisthesis. Osteoporosis would more likely cause a fracture, infection would cause destructive changes with systemic signs, and while facet degeneration is part of DJD, the broader DJD description best captures the underlying pathology leading to listhesis.

Degenerative joint disease of the spine drives this pattern. As the lumbar facet joints wear (facet arthropathy) and the adjacent disc degenerates, stability is lost and the vertebral body tends to slip forward relative to the one beneath it. This degenerative process—DJD of the spine—is the typical cause of Type III degenerative spondylolisthesis. Osteoporosis would more likely cause a fracture, infection would cause destructive changes with systemic signs, and while facet degeneration is part of DJD, the broader DJD description best captures the underlying pathology leading to listhesis.

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