What is the function of the ligamentum flavum?
The function of the ligamentum flavum is to maintain upright posture. It helps to preserve the normal curvature of the spine and to straighten the column after it has been flexed. However, the elasticity of the ligamentum flavum decreases with age, and this may be associated with hypertrophy and buckling.
Is the interspinous ligament continuous?
\The deep layer of the supraspinous ligament is reinforced by tendinous fibers of the multifidus muscle. Between the spinous processes it is continuous with the interspinal ligaments.
What is interspinous ligament edema?
New MR techniques show that facet joint effusion (the collection of fluid in the spinal joints) and interspinal ligament edema (swelling of the interspinal ligaments) are major sources of lower back pain, according to a study performed at Baskent University Hospital in Ankara and Alanya Research Center in Antalya.
How wide is the interspinous ligament?
Results: In 73 interspaces, median (IQR) lumbar interspinous plus supraspinous ligament length was 29.7 mm (25.5-33.4). Posterior width was 9.2 mm (7.7, 11.9), with narrowing in the middle (4.5 mm (3.0, 6.8)) and an anterior width of 7.3 mm (5.7, 9.8).
What causes hypertrophy of ligamentum flavum?
It is thought to be mostly from fibrosis caused by the accumulation of mechanical stress with the aging process, especially along the dorsal aspect of the ligamentum flavum. The thickness of the ligamentum flavum increases with age and this increase is thought to the most pronounced at the lower lumbar levels 3.
What does the interspinous ligament connect?
The interspinous ligaments (interspinal ligaments) are thin and membranous ligaments, that connect adjoining spinous processes of the vertebra in the spine. They extend from the root to the apex of each spinous process. They meet the ligamenta flava in front and blend with the supraspinous ligament behind.
What is the difference between interspinous ligament and supraspinous ligament?
The supraspinous ligament in the thoracic region is a thin membranous structure. It’s only at the thoracolumbar junction does it become better defined. The interspinous ligaments run between, to attach on to, consecutive spinous processes.
What does the interspinous ligament do?
Function. The role of the interspinous ligament is to limit flexion (bending forwards) through restricting separation of the spinous processes of the vertebral column.
How do you fix ligamentum flavum hypertrophy?
The current treatment approach for LF thickening includes operative and nonoperative treatment. Operative treatment includes such procedures as excision of the LF, decompressive laminectomy, and minimally invasive decompression.
How do you treat ligamentum flavum hypertrophy?
The ligamentum flavum seems to be the major cause of root compression in a limited number of patients. The surgical therapy recommended is a total laminectomy with wide resection of the ligamentum flavum and complete disk removal when indicated.
Is ligamentum flavum thickening serious?
Now, let us look at the second most commonplace, or the neck, for ligamentum flavum hypertrophy. The neck is the second most common site for LF overgrowth, but it is critically dangerous. A severely thickened or hypertrophied LF in the neck can cause severe spinal canal stenosis or myelopathy.