1. Introduction

Today, in modern society, there is growing interest in the health problems of older women. The world’s female population is not only growing, but also their age index is increasing. Today, about 15% of them are women of menopausal age. Every year, 25 million people are added to their number, and by 2020 this figure will increase to 47 million [2,3]. Possessing traditions, experiences, spiritual values, and possessing great creative and intellectual potential, older women make a great contribution to the life of the family and society. Therefore, maintaining women’s health during menopause, preventing and correcting the consequences of systemic vascular and metabolic diseases associated with estrogen deficiency and the onset of menopause are of urgent and economic importance for public health. They can also contribute to or complicate the adaptation of a woman in transition. In the perimenopause period, most women already have one or more somatic diseases, which can significantly affect the quality of life of women, which makes menopause more difficult and complicated [1,5]. At the same time, the incidence of dystrophic diseases of the spine has been increasing recently, in the development of which the age–related deterioration of the facet joints and the yellow ligament plays an important role, but in–depth research and studies have not yet been conducted in this area [7,9,10]. Analysis of the literature, works devoted to the facet joint have not been comprehensively studied by age, gender, bilaterally [6,8]. It follows that morphological study of age–related changes in the facet joint and the yellow ligament in women during the fertile and menopausal periods will serve as a basis for identifying pathological conditions observed in them, developing new selective preventive and therapeutic measures [4]. Facet joints are small mobile joints between the vertebrae, which are responsible for maintaining the stability of the body and controlling its movements. These joints are a pressing issue for doctors and researchers because their degeneration and injuries can lead to various conditions, including osteochondrosis, spondylosis, and various traumas. Therefore, the study of facet joints, their mechanisms of functioning, and disease prevention is one of the most relevant areas in medicine. Taking the above into account, we set ourselves the goal of studying the specific morphometric changes in the facet joints of women of different ages at different ages.

2. Materials and Methods

To achieve our goal, we studied the height and width of the upper and lower lumbar vertebrae in a total of 224 women aged 16 to 75 years based on computed tomography data. The selection of women was strictly controlled. In the selected women, radiculopathy, myelopathy, signs of trauma to the spinal column and other diseases were excluded during X–ray examinations. We divided the women taken for observation into 2 groups. The first group was the control group, which consisted of 109 women, women in this group led a normal lifestyle and did not regularly take calcium and vitamin D products. The second group was the main group, which consisted of 115 women of different age groups. We selected women in this group who regularly took the Calcium D 3 Nycomed preparation (500/200 IU) and followed a healthy lifestyle.

The average height of women in adolescence (16–20 years) was 158.3±0.5 mm, and their body weight was 56.6±0.5 kg. The average height of women in the first puberty period (20–35 years) was 163±0.3 mm, and their weight was 59±0.5 kg. The average height of women in the second puberty period (35–55 years) did not change significantly compared to the previous period and was 163.3±0.6 mm on average, while their body weight was relatively higher, averaging 66±0.5 kg. The average height of women in old age (55–75 years) was 162.5±0.2 mm, and their body weight was 65.3±0.5 kg (Figure 1).

Figure 1. Changes in height and body weight of women by age

We began our study by measuring the height of the superior articular process of the lumbar vertebrae. The surface of the superior articular process of the lumbar vertebrae is directed posteriorly and laterally. It can be seen that the articular surface of the superior articular process is directed posteriorly and medially. No significant differences were found between the heights of the right and left articular processes. The height of the lumbar vertebrae increased from adolescence to the second stage of maturity. After the second stage of maturity, a decrease in height was observed until old age. During adolescence, the superior lumbar vertebrae increased on average from 1.21±0.01 to 1.4±0.2 cm on the right side from L1 to L5. The height of the supraarticular tumor on the left side was not significantly different from that on the right side, and an average increase was observed from 1.21±0.02 to 1.43±0.05 (Table 1).

Table 1

During adolescence, the coefficient of variation of the height of the right articular cartilage changed from L1 to L5 on average from 6.8 to 16.8%. On the left side, the variation in height increased from 8.5 to 16.1%.

Table 2 shows that during the first puberty, the height of the upper articular tubercle increased on average from 1.25±0.009 to 1.52±0.05 cm on the right side from L1 to L 5. On the left side, this indicator did not differ significantly from the right side and an average increase from 1.28±0.02 to 1.52±0.05 cm was noted. When comparing adolescence and the first puberty period, it was found that the growth rate of the upper articular tubercle was from 3% to 9%. During this period, the coefficient of variation of the height of the right articular tubercle changed on average from 3.3 to 16.2% from L1 to L 5. On the left side, the height variation increased from 7.1 to 16.0% (Table 2).

Table 2

In the second maturation period, an insignificant change was detected compared to the first maturation period. It can be seen from the table that during this period, the height of the upper articular protrusion of the upper lumbar vertebrae increased from L1 to L5 on average from 1.27±0.007 to 1.55±0.06 cm. On the left side, this indicator did not differ significantly from the right side and an increase of 1.27±0.01 to 1.55±0.06 cm was noted. The variation index was found to be from 2.4 to 18.9% on the right side, and from 6.5 to 18.7% on the left articular protrusion (Figure 2).

Figure 2. Indicators of the height of the upper joint tumor in the second maturity period

By the old age, a significant decrease in the height of the upper facet joint compared to the previous period was detected. The table shows that during this period, the height of the upper facet joint of the lumbar vertebrae increased on average from 1.19±0.02 to 1.37±0.05 cm from L1 to L5. On the left side, this indicator did not differ significantly from the right side and an increase of 1.20±0.02 to 1.38±0.05 cm was noted. The variation index was found to be from 8.0 to 16.4% on the right side, and from 8.2 to 16.3% on the left upper facet joint.

The lower facet of the lumbar vertebrae is directed downward and outward, and the articular surface is directed outward and forward. There were no significant differences in the height of the lower facet of the right and left. The height of the lumbar vertebrae increases from adolescence to the second stage of maturity. After the second stage of maturity, a decrease in height is observed towards old age. During adolescence, the height of the right facet increases from L1 to L5 on average from 2.35±0.05 to 2.462±0.003 cm. The height of the lower facet of the left facet does not differ significantly from that of the left and increases from 2.36±0.004 to 2.46±0.003 cm on average.

Table 3

During adolescence, the coefficient of variation in the height of the right lower extremity varied from 1.9 (L3) to 5.5 (L1) %. On the left, the variation in height increased from 8.5 to 16.1%.

Table 4 shows that during the first maturation period, the height of the lower articular tubercle increased on average from 2.49±0.03 to 2.63±0.03 cm from L1 to L5 on the right. On the left side, this indicator did not differ significantly from the right side and an increase was noted on average from 2.50±0.03 to 2.64±0.03 cm. When comparing the period of adolescence and the first puberty, it was found that the growth rate of the upper articular tubercle was from 5.65% to 6.59%. During this period, the coefficient of variation of the height of the right articular tubercle changed from L1 to L5 on average from 3.3 to 16.2%. At the same time, the height variation on the left side increased from 7.1 to 16.0%.

Table 4

In the second maturation period, an insignificant change was detected compared to the first maturation period. It can be seen from the table that during this period, the height of the upper intervertebral disc of the lumbar vertebrae increased on average from 2.54±0.005 to 2.69±0.007 cm from L1 to L5. On the left side, this indicator did not differ significantly from the right side and an increase of 2.55±0.006 to 2.7±0.01 cm was noted on average. The variation index was found to be from 1.0 to 1.2% on the right side, and from 1.1 to 1.9% on the left intervertebral disc.

By old age, it was found that the height of the lower joint tumor is unreliable compared to the previous period. The table shows that during this period, the height of the lower intervertebral disc of the lumbar vertebrae increased on average from 2.50±0.02 to 2.64±0.02 cm from L1 to L5. On the left side, this indicator did not differ significantly from the right side and on average An increase from 2.50±0.02 to 2.64±0.05 cm was noted. The variation index was from 0.7 to 1.1% on the right side and from 0.7 to 1.0% on the left supraspinatus. was determined.

Women in the second group regularly took the vitamin D product Nycomed, and when examined, the height of the articular tubercles increased on average from 1.21±0.01 cm to 1.4±0.2 cm on the right side from L1 to L5. On the left side, these indicators did not differ significantly from those on the right, that is, they increased from 1.21±0.02 to 1.43±0.05 cm. First puberty: On the right side, the height of the articular tubercles from L1 to L5 increased from 1.25±0.009 cm to 1.52±0.05 cm. On the left side, they also increased from 1.28±0.02 cm to 1.52±0.05 cm, without significantly different from the right side. The growth rate during this period was from 3% to 9%. Second maturation period: On the right side, the height of the articular tubercles increased from 1.27±0.007 cm to 1.55±0.06 cm on average from L1 to L5. On the left side, this indicator did not differ significantly from that on the right side, increasing from 1.27±0.01 cm to 1.55±0.06 cm on average. In old age, the height of the articular tubercles decreased insignificantly compared to previous periods. On the right side, the height of the articular tubercles increased from 1.19±0.02 cm to 1.37±0.05 cm. On the left side, the average increase was from 1.20±0.02 to 1.38±0.05 cm.

3. Discussion of the Obtained Data

When comparing the lumbar spine parameters of the control and main groups, all parameters of the lumbar spine of women in the main group were characterized by superiority over those of the control group, and by old age, a significant decrease in the height of the upper and lower intervertebral discs was detected compared to the previous period. A significant increase was observed in the width of the intervertebral discs, the transverse longitudinal index, and by old age. From adolescence to the second period of maturity, the height, width of the upper and lower intervertebral discs, the distance between the intervertebral discs, and their angle increased. In the study, the upper and lower intervertebral discs of the lumbar spine were measured from top to bottom, and their growth processes were studied at different periods. The results of this study analyzed the height between the right and left intervertebral discs at different ages, its variation, growth dynamics, and the tendency to decrease in old age. The upper intervertebral discs of the lumbar vertebrae have a dorsal and lateral orientation, and their surfaces are located dorsally and medially. As a result of the study, no significant difference was found between the right and left intervertebral discs, which indicates the symmetrical development of the two sides. During adolescence, the upper intervertebral discs increased on average from 1.21±0.01 cm to 1.4±0.2 cm on the right side from L1 to L5. On the left side, the average values increased from 1.21±0.02 cm to 1.43±0.05 cm and did not differ significantly from those on the right. The coefficient of variation of height was found to vary from 6.8% to 16.8% on the right side, and from 8.5% to 16.1% on the left side. During the first puberty, height on the right side increased from 1.25±0.009 cm to 1.52±0.05 cm from L1 to L5, and from 1.28±0.02 to 1.52±0.05 cm on the left side. Between adolescence and the first puberty, the growth rate increased from 3% to 9%. During the second puberty, an unreliable change was found compared to the previous period, with height on the right side increasing on average from 1.27±0.007 cm to 1.55±0.06 cm. Similar results were observed on the left side. In old age, the height of the joint growths decreased significantly, increasing from 1.19±0.02 to 1.37±0.05 cm on the right side and from 1.20±0.02 to 1.38±0.05 cm on the left side. No reliable differences were observed between right and left joint tumors during this period either. Lower joint tumors also showed similar growth and decline trends as upper joint tumors. The lower articular processes are directed downwards and outwards, and their surface faces outwards and forwards. During adolescence, the lower joint masses increased from L1 to L5 on the right side from 2.35±0.05 to 2.462±0.003 cm, and on the left side from 2.36±0.004 to 2.46±0.003 cm. No significant differences were found on either side. During the first maturation period, the lower joint masses increased from 2.49±0.03 to 2.63±0.03 cm on the right side and from 2.50±0.03 to 2.64±0.03 cm on the left side. During the second maturation period, similar growth was observed in the lower joint masses as in the upper joint masses. On the right side, it increased from 2.54±0.005 to 2.69±0.007 cm, and on the left side, it increased from 2.55±0.006 to 2.7±0.01 cm. In old age, the lower joint height decreased significantly compared to previous periods, from 2.50±0.02 to 2.64±0.02 cm on the right side and from 2.50±0.02 to 2.64±0.05 cm on the left side. According to the results of the study of the second group of women, the height of the joint height in women who regularly took the vitamin D Nycomed product and played sports achieved stability, which allowed them to significantly grow in bone structures and not suffer from various diseases even as they grew older. In particular, those who took vitamin D maintained higher bone density than those who did not. The height of the lumbar spine increases from adolescence to the second stage of puberty and decreases until old age. These changes in bone structure change with age and require bone health measures. Taking vitamin D and regular physical activity can stabilize these changes and reduce the risk of disease.

4. Conclusions

1. When we studied the structure of the facet joint, 2 different types were distinguished: the flat shape of the joint surface; the upper articular surface is convex and the lower articular surface is concave, at this time the shape of the articular groove is S–shaped.

2. In women, as they age, the parameters of the lumbar spine change and the asymmetry on both sides increases. Age-related changes are manifested in a decrease in the height and width of the articular processes of the lumbar vertebrae, as well as in the distance between the vertebrae. The diameter of the vertebral foramina, articular surfaces. An increase in the cross-sectional areas of the vertebral foramina is observed. These changes are most pronounced in old age.

3. There are flat, flat, and convex types of articular growths in the lumbar spine, and the clinical significance of the shape of the articular growth surfaces should be taken into account.

4. As we age, the shape of joint structures changes, which affects joint mobility. These changes can lead to limitations in movement, chronic diseases, and poor posture.

5. It has been observed that in women, the transition of the shape of the articular surface from flat to convex leads to the development of inflammatory diseases and degenerative changes.